Everything to Know About Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in Roseville, CA
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment method used to address the root cause of chronic lower back pain, nerve pain, and sciatica symptoms. It is performed using a specialized, computer-controlled traction table that gently stretches the spine, relieving pressure on compressed discs and pinched nerves and jump-starting natural healing processes in the body. Read on to learn everything you need to know about non-surgical spinal decompression in Roseville, CA.
Types of Spinal Decompression Treatment
There are two types of decompression therapy: surgical and non-surgical. Here is a look at each:
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Non-Surgical – This treatment gently stretches the spine using motorized traction. The traction table creates negative pressure between spinal discs, causing a vacuum effect that safely addresses herniated and bulging discs. This alleviates pressure or compression of discs and nerves, immediately relieving pain and sciatica symptoms like numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. The process also encourages the free flow of water, oxygen, and healing nutrients through the spine. This can rehydrate damaged discs and accelerate healing.
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Surgical – This method is only recommended if non-surgical options fail and you have severe, progressive nerve or disc damage. A surgeon may recommend a laminectomy, laminotomy, foraminotomy, corpectomy, or discectomy. These surgical processes require opening the spinal canal to relieve nerve pressure, correct herniated or bulging discs, remove bone or tissue, or remove an entire vertebral body.
How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?
Like a chiropractic adjustment, spinal decompression addresses misalignment, dysfunction, disc herniation, and nerve impingement. However, while a chiropractic adjustment is manual, decompression therapy is performed using a computer-controlled traction table. This is a closer look at how it works:
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Gentle Pulling Force – The table is controlled using a specialized computer program and is outfitted with advanced computerized sensors that respond to your body's movements during treatment. As the table moves, it gently stretches your spine, automatically adjusting its force based on your body's movement and muscle resistance. This bypasses your body's natural muscle guarding reflexes to provide the greatest benefit.
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Negative Pressure – By stretching the spine, the decompression table uses traction to create negative intradiscal pressure. This causes a vacuum effect that encourages herniated or bulging discs to move back into place safely. This relieves pressure on nerves and discs and reduces pain and sciatica. The vacuum effect also draws water into the spinal area, which rehydrates damaged and aging discs.
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Natural Healing – The repetitive motion of the decompression table will flood the spine with nutrients necessary for healing. This will accelerate natural healing processes and alleviate inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
Conditions Treated With Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression can be a safe, effective alternative to spine surgery and other more invasive treatment methods. It can be used in conjunction with other therapies, like chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, laser therapy, and shockwave therapy. The most common conditions treated are:
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Herniated discs
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Bulging discs
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Sciatica symptoms
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Degenerative disc disease
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Spinal stenosis
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Facet syndrome
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Failed back surgery syndrome
Benefits of Spinal Decompression vs Surgery
Spine surgery requires anesthesia, pain medication, incisions, stitches, and a lengthy recovery period. It carries a high risk of complications, including infection, blood clot, stroke, mobility issues, and failed back surgery syndrome. By contrast, non-surgical spinal decompression is low-risk. Some of the benefits include:
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No need for surgical incisions, no scars, and no risk of post-surgical infection or other complications
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Zero recovery period or downtime
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No scar tissue formation
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No anesthesia or pain medication
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Preserves spinal mobility
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Affordable, comfortable, and low-risk
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Prevents failed back surgery syndrome
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Can be combined with other non-surgical therapies
What to Expect From the Spinal Decompression Procedure
You will remain fully clothed throughout the procedure. You will lie down on a comfortable, padded table. You may have your knees bent and your legs resting on a padded block. Your provider will fit you with a harness around your lower ribs and one around your pelvis. They will then enter a specific treatment protocol into the computer. The table will start to move slowly, and you will feel a deep pulling sensation in your spine. This typically feels relieving and calming. One treatment session takes around 20-45 minutes, and you may need 20-25 sessions over a two- to three-month period. ​​
​Understanding the Side Effects and Risks of Spinal Decompression
Non-surgical decompression therapy is very safe. However, like any medical treatment, it may pose a risk of side effects:
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Mild muscle soreness
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Temporary aches and pains
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Mild stiffness
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Fatigue
Schedule a Consultation for Spinal Decompression and Chiropractic Care
​At Johnson Ranch Chiropractic, Dr. Boley offers safe, effective alternatives to spinal surgery and invasive back pain treatment options. He can do a full examination and assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for decompression therapy. Treatment is performed using a state-of-the-art decompression table that uses advanced cybernetic feedback to monitor muscle resistance in real time. It can address the root mechanical and spinal issues causing back pain, nerve pain, and sciatica symptoms, offering immediate and long-term relief. Call now or contact us online to schedule a consultation for spinal decompression and chiropractic care in Roseville, CA.
FAQs About Spinal Decompression Therapy
Does spinal decompression hurt?
No, spinal decompression therapy is not painful or uncomfortable.
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Can I undergo decompression therapy if I have had spinal surgery?
If you have failed back surgery syndrome but have no surgical hardware in your spine, you are a good candidate for spinal decompression. If you have spinal fusion hardware like screws, rods, or plates, you cannot undergo decompression.
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Who is not a good candidate for spinal decompression?
You are not a good candidate for decompression if you are pregnant, have severe osteoporosis or bone density loss, have unstable spondylolisthesis, or if you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm or a spinal tumor, fracture, or active bone infection.