What is Spinal Decompression?

NASA helped bring spinal decompression into the modern chiropractic mainstream, after doctors observed the beneficial effects of weightlessness on the spines of astronauts, leading to reduced pain and healthier overall discs. While normal chiropractic adjustments are done manually and seek to restore proper alignment to the vertebrae, spinal decompression is a procedure designed to take the pressure off of damaged or diseased intervertebral discs.

Disc Herniation and Pinched Nerves—the problem

Intervertebral discs are found in between the vertebrae of the spine, and form a flexible joint connecting them. Sometimes these discs can become damaged, whether through a sudden back injury or by simply sitting in the same position day in and day out. Small tears develop in the outer ring of the disc causing the soft inner tissue to bulge out. This condition is called disc herniation, what we often call a “slipped disc.” Disc herniation results in a wide range of painful symptoms depending on where in the spine the ruptured disc is located and which nerves are pinched as a result of the rupture. Pain in many parts of the body, anywhere from the neck to the toes, irritation of the sciatic nerve (sciatica), numbness, paralysis, muscle weakness, and loss of reflexes are all possible symptoms.

Spinal Decompression—the Solution

Chiropractic Center of Lakeland offers a non-surgical form of spinal decompression through use of the Axiom DRX 9000C, a machine designed to approximate as closely as possible the pressure-free spinal conditions enjoyed by astronauts in absolute weightlessness. The effect of the 9000C is to allow the patient’s own weight to stretch the spine to its full length, completely removing any force of compression from the discs of the spine. This stretched-out condition causes any damaged discs themselves to stretch out, creating distraction forces that draw the bulging inner tissues back within the discs where they belong. This stretching and distraction also stimulates blood flow to the damaged disc, a vital condition for its healing.

A Safe Alternative for Treating Neck and Back Pain

Spinal decompression via the 9000C is a safe, FDA-approved procedure that is an ideal form of physical therapy for back injuries and damaged intervertebral discs. Are you suffering from any form of neck or back pain, pain in the arms or legs, sciatica, or any form of degenerative disc disease? Contact us today for more information and see if this revolutionary procedure might be the right fit for you.