Spinal Decompression (Non-Surgical)
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy, also known as non-surgical spinal decompression, is a practice that utilises spinal decompression tables to relieve pain by creating a scenario in which bulging or herniated disc tissue is able to move back into place and heal, alleviating the pain this condition causes.
Spinal decompression therapy aims to help patients who suffer from debilitating pain due to bulging, degenerating, or herniated discs. It can also be used for the pain management and treatment of many causes of sciatica, injured or diseased spinal nerve roots, and worn spinal joints as well as some failed back surgeries.
The therapy itself works to stretch the spine, using a spinal decompression table, in order to create negative pressure and space within the disc to allow disc fluid to move back into place. This creates an environment in which the disc can receive more nutrients and therefore heal itself more quickly and effectively. The ultimate goal of spinal decompression therapy is to relieve the patient’s chronic back, arm, neck, and/or leg pain, and to heal the source of said pain.
What is a Spinal Decompression Table?
Greenacre Sports Medicine Clinic has integrated the latest in spinal decompression therapy to our Sydney clinic. The Hill DT spinal decompression table is the most advanced technology and employs sophisticated load sensor technology which constantly measures and monitors the treatment force and patient-resistance of every treatment. At a rate of over 10,000 pulses per millimeter, the table senses you approaching threshold and reduces the pull, allowing the table to provide low-force, smooth decompression in a completely different class from cable-based systems.
The HillDT table’s technology means dramatically better outcomes because you will experience far less muscle-guarding than with other designs. In most cases, you will be able to painlessly leave the table within seconds and with very little soreness to follow.
Lower Back Disc Decompression Therapy.
Neck Disc Decompression Therapy.
Problems that can be treated with spinal decompression:
- Bulging or Herniated Discs
- Spinal Stenosis (Pinched Nerves)
- Sciatica (shooting pain down your leg)
- Disc Degeneration
- Facet Syndrome (Spinal Arthritis)
- Spondylosis
- Pinched Nerves
- Failed Back Surgery
- Arm/Leg Pain and Numbness
- Chronic Neck or Back Pain or stiffness that is not responding to traditional spinal treatment.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Lower Back Stiffness from Intense Gym Training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does spinal decompression feel like?
You will feel a gentle pulling sensation as you are being set up and again once the program starts. You will quickly get comfortable with the sensation.
The technology in the table works with your body through a biofeedback system which stops the table if you are uncomfortable, tensing your muscles, or moving on the table. This means you will not feel any pain during your session.
Many patients tend to fall asleep during their sessions.
A small number of patients may experience temporary soreness after the first few sessions due to the changes and the healing process happening to the spine. Your session will be supervised by our clinicians/technicians.
What does a spinal decompression session involve?
Once you are ready to commence with your spinal decompression program, you will be required to attend your sessions in comfortable loose-fitting clothing.
You will then lay on the table and your clinician/technician will strap you in, your customised program will be entered into the table’s computerised technology. The program will begin and you will be left to relax for approximately 20 minutes.
A clinician/technician will be close by monitoring you during your session.
How long is a spinal decompression program?
It generally takes 10-12 weeks for a disc injury to respond with spinal decompression.
It may take longer for more serious and complex injuries.
Typically you will be required to attend 2-3 times per week for treatment during this time.
Additional therapies include:
- Manual hands on therapy to help settle your pain and swelling.
- A rehabilitation program will be incorporated to help stabilise and strengthen core muscles of the affected region.
- Supplements will also be recommended to assist your bodies healing process.
How many spinal decompression sessions will i need to start feeling better?
Generally, you will feel a change after your first few sessions, some may take 6 – 8 sessions, and more complex situations may show results by their 20 to 25th session.
Factors that affect your healing and recovery time frames are:
- How much inflammation you may have
- How long you have had the problem
- How severe the problem is
- How the pain/injury/trauma has affected your mental health
- And how well you follow your program
Every person and their individual experience of their pain is different and unique.
Due to the complexity of pain and your individual experience of your injury we are unable to give any guarantees regarding how long you may take to get better, nor if you will get better at all.
What is the success rate with spinal decompression?
Generally, the success rates with spinal decompression are rather high. However, results will vary between patients and can never be guaranteed. You may still require surgical intervention.
To get the most out of your treatment your progress will be closely monitored and modified to achieve the best possible outcomes out of your spinal decompression program.
The research evidence to support the use of Spinal Decompression Therapy can be found here. Research
What will affect my eligibility to recieve spinal decompression treatment?
The following circumstances will prevent you from receiving spinal decompression:
- Pregnancy
- Metastasised cancer
- Spinal fusion of region requiring treatment
- Broken vertebrae
- Patients with artificial discs or other spinal implant
- Moderate to severe Osteoporosis
- Spinal tumor
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Weigh over 155kg
Do I need to bring any scans to my first consult?
Yes, you will need to bring any CT or MRI scans you have had in the past 12 months of the spinal region that will be treated.
If you have not had any imaging of the area that is to be treated with spinal decompression, your consulting clinician can refer you for an MRI. In this case you will most likely be required to pay out of pocket for your MRI scans.
If you have any further queries please contact us on 9759 5707 / 0402 912 222, and request a call back from our therapists.
“Caring for our patients and their individual needs.”
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