What Spinal Decompression Is
Nonsurgical spinal decompression stretches the spine with a motorized device, as a type of traction therapy. The goal is to ease pressure on discs and nerves. It involves no incision, which sets it apart from decompression surgery, where a surgeon removes bone or disc tissue.
One aim is to open space between the vertebrae, which can take pressure off nerves and nearby soft tissue.
How does it differ from other traction?
Traction can use pulleys and weights on a table, or a table that tilts your body. Decompression uses a traction table or a similar motorized device.
Traction Therapy
The traction equipment at this clinic covers lumbar traction for the low back, cervical traction for the neck, intersegmental traction, Back on Trac and Knee on Trac.
Back on Trac is a machine that may work as a form of spinal decompression. It may be an add-on for back pain, sciatica, or herniated, bulging or degenerative discs. Knee on Trac is a machine described as decompressing the knee, and it may be used for people with knee pain.
Call a health professional right away about new or worse pain, numbness, tingling or milder weakness in an arm or leg.
Go to the emergency room for new trouble urinating, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in your upper legs or buttocks, or leg weakness that makes walking hard.
What a Session May Be Like
Equipment differs, so sessions do too. In one common decompression setup, you stay fully clothed, harnesses go around your pelvis and trunk, and you lie on a computer-controlled table.
New patients may start with a detailed intake, and any care plan may be built around your needs. A Back on Trac session works differently and may go like this.
-
You sit down
The session may start with you seated in the chair. It uses no belts or restraints.
-
The chair leans you back
Once you are settled, the chair may lean you back.
-
Stretch, vibration and heat
The chair may then add vibration and heat along with a stretch.
WebMD's guide to spinal decompression describes the harness and table setup.
Back, Disc and Nerve Problems We See
Services like these may be recommended depending on your condition, based on our comprehensive evaluation. The chiropractor carefully evaluates each condition to determine if you are a candidate for gentle chiropractic treatment.
Back Pain
Decompression may be offered for back pain linked to herniated, bulging or degenerative discs.
Sciatica
A tailored plan for sciatica may include decompression and stretching.
Pinched Nerve
A pinched nerve in the back may be one reason to offer it.
Herniated Disc
A herniated or bulging disc may be another.
The Exit 29 Ramps and the County Courthouses
I-695 Exit 29 splits into 29A for Cromwell Bridge Rd and 29B for Loch Raven Blvd. Loch Raven Blvd crosses Joppa Rd about 0.9 miles east of the clinic. To the west, the county's circuit courthouses in Towson lie about 1.5 miles away.
Ask About Decompression and Traction in Towson
Decompression and traction are part of our chiropractic care in Towson.
Who gives the treatment, how long a session runs, insurance and cost are all best answered by phone.
