Nonsurgical spinal decompression is often times misunderstood…even by medical doctors and spine experts. Some say it’s just fancy traction. Others say it’s a complete waste of money.
Lumbar decompression with the DRX9000
Well…all I can say is “everyone is entitled to their own opinion”. But if you are going to give patients or friends advice about a chronic back pain treatment that could potentially change their lives forever…you better know what you are talking about.
So what exactly does spinal decompression do anyway and what makes so many herniated disc patients want to do it?
I like to refer to spinal decompression as a respirator for the spinal disc. A respirator for the lungs helps the lungs to breath when they are unable to do so on their own…until they can. Spinal decompression machines like the DRX9000 help the lumbar spinal discs (DRX9000c for cervical discs) to do what they would if they could.
So what is a spinal disc supposed to do?
A spinal disc has two primary functions:
1. The spinal disc acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae above and below together and create separation of the bones so the spinal nerves can pass through to all all the muscles, glands, and organs. Spinal nerves are branches off the spinal cord.
2. The spinal disc also acts as a shock absorber (like the shocks on your car) to prevent wear and tear on the joints and body parts. The discs give the spine flexibility.
When external physical, mental, or chemical stresses overcome internal resistance it can cause the bones of the spine and the spinal discs to lose their normal position. When this happens the discs wear abnormally (like the tires on your car when the front end is out of alignment). This can offend and irritate the nerves they are designed to protect when they are in alignment, which can lead to disc bulges, disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, back or neck pain and sciatica.
The problem here is physical. The spine and spinal discs are not where they are supposed to be. To take a medication for this which is chemical, will only address the symptom. Hey…sometimes the back or neck pain is so bad you need a drug…but just understand…the problem is still there.
Spinal decompression machines are designed and built to isolate on a specific herniated spinal disc segment…say L5-S1 (the most common disc to herniate) and reverse the process that led to the herniation. Disc decompression separates the spinal bones and enlarges the disc space taking pressure off the nerves (which cause the pain).
Decompression therapy elongates the spine making it more flexible. Machines like the DRX9000 or DRX9000c help restore fluid exchange between the injured disc and the bloodstream by introducing a pumping action on the disc. This helps to get rid of toxins, inflammation, and waste products and bring in freshly oxygenated blood. This enlarges the disc and slows down the degenerative process.
Spinal decompression therapy strengthens the spinal ligaments, repositions the disc, and sucks herniated disc fragments back to the center of the disc and away from the spinal nerves….thereby reducing pain, inflammation, and spasms.
Like I said earlier…spinal decompression therapy is a respirator for the spinal discs.
Depending on how many disc herniations you have, your age, level of spinal degeneration, and any complications, the treatment process could be anywhere from 15-30 visits. But you have to qualify medically…not everyone does.
So what’s the next step if you want to try spinal decompression?
The next step is to find a spinal decompression doctor and see if you are a good candidate.
If you live or work near downtown San Francisco, you can visit our San Francisco Spinal Decompression Center in the Financial District. Simply call 415-392-2225 and mention this blog post for a complimentary consultation.
If you can’t see us in San Francisco you can check our list of The Best Spinal Decompression Doctors in America.
Or, you can send an email to me at ebendavis@yahoo.com with your city and zip code and I will try to locate a spinal decompression doctor for you.
Check-out our Spinal Decompression Reviews
You make a good point, doc. That in order to fix the problem, you have to address the physical component, even if it means being patient to give the body time to heal. Thanks for the article.
What a great analogy!
That is great advice on the spinal disc, and the DRX9000 is a machine I had not heard of before. I’ll be looking into this further and will give your office a call on Monday, this might be exactly what I am looking for.