Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in Plantation
Spinal decompression for low back pain
A traction table creates negative pressure between the vertebral joints on a disc to allow relief of radiating symptoms caused by the neck or back. Traction also creates a stretch in the surrounding musculature, which increases fluid and blood flow to these areas as well as to the disc. This ultimately helps with improved joint mobility and articulation. Read more about non-surgical spinal decompression here.
Decompression at Stumpff Chiropractic is beneficial for the following conditions:
- Disc Bulges
- Disc Herniations
- Nuclear Extrusion
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Foraminal Encroachment
What is a disc herniation?
The intervertebral disc is the structure that lies between two vertebrae that allows the spine to have mobility and acts as a shock absorber for the spine. The disc is made up of two parts, the outer fibrous material known as the annular fibers and the inner gelatinous material known as the nucleus pulposus. The disc is made up of a high percentage of water. As a disc degenerates, it begins to lose its hydration, which can lead to damage. As the disc continues to degenerate, the outer bands - annular fibers - begin to break. This allows the nucleus pulposus to push through the annular fibers. This is known as a disc bulge.
As the fibers continue to break down, the nucleus pulposus will break through the annular fibers and being to compromise the spinal cord and/or nerve roots around the spinal canal. This is known as a disc herniation. As the disc begins to degenerate, the disc materal will most likely push posterior lateral, placing pressure on the nerve roots. This leads to the numbness, tingling and/or weakness to an extremity.
MRI imaging reveals that over 60% of the population over the age of 40 has findings of disc degeneration. This means that disc injuries are common. It is the symptoms that are uncommon. As we age, the shock absorbers begin to break down. The degenerative process begins from improper repetitve biomechanics, prolonged sitting or working on computers, overuse injuries, or more acute lifting injuries to name a few. This does not mean you will experience pain for the rest of your life. We believe with chiropratic care, non-surgical spinal decompression and proper rehabilitation, you can continue to protect your spine and remediate disc injuries to live a pain free life.
How does traction work for disc herniations?
Traction/decompression uses a longitudinal force to the spine that distracts the vertebrae. Traction is a great treatment for hypomobile segments of the spine, disc protrusions, degenerative disc disease, facet joint injuries and even muscle spasm. The force can be applied continuously, with a constant pull that does not change over the course of time, or intermittently, alternating between different weight intervals.
Intermittent traction is preferred for disc injuries and works like a slow, steady plunger. As the weight increases and decreases, negative pressure is created to help relieve the traveling pain a patient suffers from.
In the case of most disc injuries, there is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or nerve root, which leads to inflammatory responses that present as numbness or tingling down the extremities. Sometimes, presentation may only be with pain localized in the neck or back. In these cases, a full neurological examination will take place in our Plantation office to determine if your symptoms would be alleviated by non-surgical spinal decompression.
If you are in Plantation, Florida or the surrounding areas and suffer from low back pain, call to find out if spinal decompression is a treatment option for you.
