Leaders in Spinal Decompression

What is Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is mechanically reducing the pressure on spinal nerves. There are several surgeries that can be performed to do this, and they are typically the first results of an internet search for “spinal decompression near me.” Some of the more common spinal decompression surgeries include discectomy, foraminotomy, and osteophyte removal. Unfortunately, such procedures are drastic, carrying the risk of infection and additional nerve damage. They also require a lot of downtime.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression is an alternative therapy we offer at our Bettendorf location. It doesn’t require a lengthy hospital or come with a hefty price tag, such as a life-threatening infection or life-altering addiction to prescription pain medications. At Health From Within’s Bettendorf location, where we offer spinal decompression chiropractic care, we use our hands or a specialty mechanical table to stretch and relax the entire spine gently.

Common Conditions Spinal Decompression Can Help

Since spinal decompression therapy reduces the pressure within spinal structures that may be painful due to excess pressure, we can use it to help a range of issues such as the low back, neck, or leg pain. Occasionally, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment can help relieve pain due to a scoliosis curve. More frequently, this therapy is helpful for patients with specific disc-related conditions.

Bulging Disc

A bulging disc is an entirely or partially compressed spinal disc. This condition occurs when excess pressure flattens the disc so that it bulges from the inside of the spinal vertebrae. Although the disc is no longer contained within the vertebrae, it is still whole.

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc, on the other hand, is a torn disc. As a result of this tear, tissue from inside of the disc escapes and may compress the nerves. No matter where it occurs, nerve compression always causes increased pain and diminished functional ability.

Degenerative Discs

A degenerated disc is hardened due to age-related changes. A degenerated disc can develop tears and leak fluid. As the discs become smaller, they can’t efficiently cushion the vertebrae. As a result, bone spurs form and painfully compress spinal nerves.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression

Since discs are located throughout the spine, spinal decompression chiropractic here at Health From Within’s Bettendorf location can help with issues throughout the body. The repeated stretching and relaxing of the spine during spinal decompression treatment creates a negative pressure environment inside each disc. This negative pressure can help pull any disc tissue back into the disc where it belongs. It can also help nutrients, and other healing biochemicals more easily enter the disc.

Some of the benefits of our spinal decompression therapy include:

• Spinal tension and pain relief

• Reduced pressure on spinal nerves

• Optimized joint and spinal disc alignment

• A healing environment for spinal disc tissue

What to Expect During Your Spinal Decompression Therapy

At Health From Within’s Bettendorf location, before our patients begin treatment with our spinal decompression chiropractor, they receive a thorough health assessment. This includes providing a detailed health history and completing an array of nerve and motion studies. We also perform a detailed physical examination on every patient.

Frequently, patients come to us after seeing other specialists who recommend prescription pain medications or surgical procedures. We’re glad to look over their MRI, x-ray, and other scans in addition to performing our detailed assessment. Once we determine a candidate is a good fit for our nonsurgical spinal decompression chiropractic treatment, we schedule a series of appointments at our Bettendorf location. 

In our experience, patients benefit from 9 - 15 treatments, depending on the severity of their condition. These sessions usually last between 9 and 12 minutes.

In addition to manual decompression therapy, which involves our chiropractor using their hands to stretch the spine gently, we offer treatment using the KDT spinal decompression system. Both of these therapy protocols rely on the same stretching and relaxing mechanism but complete them following different cycles.

KDT Neuralflex (Kennedy Decompression Technique)

KDT Neuralflex treatment involves wearing a specialty lumbar belt as the patient lays face down on a specialty table. After gripping the handles at the head of the table, the lumbar belt strap is attached to the foot of the table.

When the treatment cycle begins, the Neuralflex table slightly separates. Since the lumbar belt is attached to the lower end of the table, the patient feels a gentle pulling sensation as the spine stretches and the discs are decompressed.

During this decompression part of the treatment cycle, the pressure in the lumbar spine falls to as low as -180 millimeters of mercury. Since normal disc pressure, while laying down is 75 millimeters of mercury, this treatment creates quite a bit of negative pressure.

After 45-60 seconds, the table reunites. This allows the spine a chance to recover from stretching. These motions repeat throughout the 9-12 minute session and encourages the discs to resume proper alignment and supports disc hydration with a hydrostatic effect.

Can’t Lay Face Down?

Sometimes, patients can’t lay face down on the KDT Neuralflex table. Fortunately the KDT system allows for similar decompression with the patient facing up.

A distinguishing feature of the KDT Neuralflex table is that it includes a computer program that calculates a logarithmic spinal decompression treatment protocal for each patient. This ensures each patient receives targeted therapy with an optimal level of stretching force for their condition.

Another difference is that other joints can also be treated, such as hip joints, knee joints, and more.

Side Effects

The most common side effect experienced by our patients is sore muscles. This is due to the stretching involved and is typically no more painful than beginning a new exercise program. Many patients actually fall asleep during their sessions, so pain is far from a universal effect of this form of treatment.

Some Complimentary Therapies

While spinal decompression is a highly effective treatment, we frequently prescribe other interventions for our patients. These either enhance the therapy itself or help with recovery outside of the session.

Since the stretching that occurs during spinal decompression taxes the muscles like exercise, massage therapy, percussive therapy, shockwave therapy, and chiropractic adjustments may provide additional healing benefits. Since multiple pathways are optimized with complimentary care, the body can work toward promoting the healing and wholeness that is every person’s birthright. 

Exercise is another recommendation we make for most of our Health From Within patients because it releases biochemicals that help manage pain and increases circulation along with supporting mobility and range of motion. Some of our patients also benefit from the protection of wearing a lumbar brace as needed between sessions.

Considering Your Spinal Decompression Options?

If you or a loved one have a condition that could benefit from nonsurgical spinal decompression, you probably have a lot of questions. We encourage you to contact us because we love to answer questions and schedule consultations. We look forward to providing you with comprehensive spinal decompression care that blends the latest technology with good, old-fashioned human touch.