Disc/Stenosis/Radiculopathy Success Secret #4: Decompression Therapy and traction are NOT the same.
There is a misconception that decompression therapy is the same as traction; it is not. There are many inherent problems with sustained traction of the spine, with muscle spasms and increased disc pressure at the top of the list. Traditional traction is unfocused and pulls strongly on both spine and muscles. Decompression is accomplished by a gentle pumping motion that is controlled by a computer.
In a limited number of cases, traction has its place. However, decompression therapy is more complex, and therefore able to treat more complex cases. For starters, patient selection is the number one important point to address. We use this exam in conjunction with imaging studies to arrive at a diagnosis. In reality, there are just some individuals that will not be ideal candidates for this form of care. If you are accepted into care, knowing exactly how to position you on the table is vital to ensuring a favorable therapeutic outcome.
Decompression therapy involves intermittent pumping of the spine and discs. This is achieved by utilizing a specialized table that is equipped with a computer so that different parameters for the treatment can be set by the doctor for individual patients. Although many people have complaints of disc bulges, herniation, stenosis or radiculopathy, no two patients are identical in their presentation – although there are commonalities between most.
Disc decompression treatments are usually a very comfortable experience – in fact, sometimes you won’t even feel the pulling on your spine. This is because the controlled, intermittent pull being performed by the computer is done on a special sliding table. This is important, because due to the gentle pumping motion of the decompression unit, spinal muscles do not reflexively try to pull back. The treatment is also actually helping to re-train the faulty motor patterns that your muscles have developed as an adaptation to the damaged discs. But even though you don’t think you are feeling a strong pull on your spine, the decompression therapy is doing what it was designed to do: decompress your spinal joints and relieve the pressure on the spinal nerves.
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