Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy

Pulse chiropractic Houston galleria spinal decompression

At Pulse Chiropractic and Wellness, many of our patients have enjoyed reduced or entirely eliminated back pain. This is done by utilizing non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. 

Spinal decompression is an excellent choice that can help patients relieve spinal nerve pressure and associated pain in a conservative way.  Studies show that conservative care should always be the first choice for treating back problems.

The DOC Therapy Table

Our clinic offers spinal decompression therapy using the DOC Therapy Table that utilizes improved technology that allows for gentle treatment and patient comfort.  A desirable feature of this equipment is that it allows the doctor to target or treat specific area versus the old form of traction.

How Is Spinal Decompression Different from Traction?

Regular traction stretches your spine and muscles simultaneously. But if you only stretch the spine, your body naturally “braces” for the next stretch, limiting the effectiveness of the treatment. The “overall stretching” commonly used in traction can also trigger painful muscle spasms.

Spinal decompression therapy is different from conventional spinal traction because it alternates between stretching and relaxation. The relaxation stages trick your body into staying relaxed and therefore maximizes the load and the effectiveness of the treatment. Decompression tables should also allow your doctor or therapist to target your treatment area in three different dimensions. This allows practitioners to target their treatment by isolating specific spinal discs, compared to traction, which often just “stretches” the entire spine.  Your health care provider should also be able to completely customize your decompression treatment by changing the amount of stretch (load); the number of stretch/relax stages; the time it takes to reach each peak stretch/relax stage; and many other settings. These options allow the doctor to personalize the session for your age, weight and condition and to adjust your treatments as they track your results.

WebMD’s describes, “Non-surgical Spinal Decompression as a type a motorized traction that may relieve back pain by gently stretching the spine.  This changes the force and position of the spine.  This change takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc.  As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine.  This in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluid into the disks so they can heal”.  

Types of Back Problems 

Most types of back problems can be resolved without surgery.  Some of the spinal problems that have had good results treating include: 

  • Low back pain or neck pain
  • Sciatica
  • Bulging or herniated discs in the cervical and lumbar spine
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Worn spinal joints (called posterior facet joint syndrome)

Other Targeted Therapies 

Spinal Decompression Therapy works well in conjunction with other targeted therapies such as spinal adjustment, Apollo IV cold laser therapy, acupuncture, neuromuscular stimulation, myofascial release, stretching and strengthening exercises. Mayo Clinic states, “In many cases, pain and other symptoms caused by a herniated disk resolve with time and self-care measures. When medical treatment is required, therapy that doesn’t involve surgery often is all that’s needed to effectively treat herniated disk symptoms”. 

First Seek a Conservative Aprroach to Back Pain 

Mayo Clinic states, “In many cases, pain and other symptoms caused by a herniated disk resolve with time and self-care measures. When medical treatment is required, therapy that doesn’t involve surgery often is all that’s needed to effectively treat herniated disk symptoms”. 

Pulse Chiropractic and Wellness of Houston

My name is Dr. Katherine and my practice, Pulse Chiropractic and Wellness, is located in the Houston Piney Point area. I highly recommend that you to first seek conservative care for back problems and avoid surgery if at all possible. Over the course of my practice I have evaluated thousands of patients to determine the best course of care for each patient. I am here to help you, your family or friends. Contact me to schedule an appointment.