Did you know back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, impacting the lives of over 540 million people?
Imagine spending a day with debilitating lumbar pain; it is enough to ruin your mood and work. Now think of millions of people who live this nightmare every single day. Nerve-wracking right?
But don’t lose hope too quickly. We have a silver lining in the form of decompression therapy for chronic back pain. It’s fast, effective, non-invasive, and promises staggering results.
So, keep reading as we ‘decompress’ the non-invasive treatment plan and tell you the ins and outs of getting it done. Today we will talk about the followings:
What is Decompression Therapy?
Who Can Benefit from Decompression Therapy?
- Chronic Back Pain Patients
- Patients with Medical Conditions
- Non Invasive Treatment
Complimentary Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
- Physical Therapy
- Weight Management
- Exercise
- Heat or Cold Therapy
- Stress Reduction
- SUPMOGO RecoveryFlex System
What is Decompression Therapy?
Decompression therapy is also referred to as traction therapy or spinal decompression therapy.
It is an invasive treatment plan that reduces the pain and discomfort associated with many spinal conditions like herniated discs, chronic back pain, and others.
Decompression therapy involves putting mild pressure or traction on the spine to stretch and relieve pressure on the nerves, spinal discs, etc. But how does that happen? Well, decompression therapy creates a negative pressure inside the spine that allows herniated or bulging discs to return to the initial position.
1. Process
Decompression therapy is not an extensive process, nor does it pose major risks like other spinal surgeries.
However, it’s crucial to stay aware of the process and give suggestions to your therapist for better results. That said, the process of decompression therapy usually involves the following steps:
2. Initial Evaluation
Before starting decompression therapy, a medical professional will take a detailed evaluation. It includes:
- Medical history
- Symptoms
- Any diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans
The initial evaluation is conducted to understand your condition and gauge the effectiveness of decompression therapy.
3. Preparation & Positioning
The next part of the process is the preparation. It includes changing into comfortable clothing and lying on a specially designed decompression table or device.
Afterwards, your therapist will position you on the table, ensuring optimal comfort and alignment. Depending on the type of decompression therapy being performed, you may be asked to lay face-up or face-down.
4. Traction
Next is the real deal. The device or decompression table will apply controlled traction on your spine. This process slightly elongates and stretches the spine, creating negative pressure between each spinal disc.
Your decompression therapist will also set the limit of the therapy like:
- Amount of traction force
- Treatment duration
- Any variations in the traction pattern
The numbers depend on your needs and your body’s response to the treatment.
5. Monitoring
Monitoring is an important aspect of decompression therapy as it allows the therapist to evaluate your comfort level and response to treatment. You may also be asked to provide feedback regarding the session or any changes you experienced in your body.
6. After Care
A decompression therapy session usually lasts anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes. Once the therapy is over, the traction force is gradually released, and the session ends.
The aftercare for decompression therapy involves hot and cold therapy, exercises, and other occupational therapies to maximise the plan's benefits.
Who Can Benefit from Decompression Therapy?
Decompression therapy is the way to go if you want a non-invasive treatment for your back issues. [1] The main goal of the therapy is to decrease the pain sensation in your spine.
Following are some cases where opting for the non-invasive treatment can yield positive results.
1. Chronic Back Pain Patients
Decompression therapy is great for individuals with chronic back pain who haven’t received positive results from other conservative treatments. Furthermore, the therapy can provide immediate relief and help improve the overall lifestyle and the quality of life.
2. Patients with Medical Conditions
Decompression therapy is great for back pain due to medical conditions like herniated discs, sciatica, generated disc, spinal stenosis, and other spine-related ailments. [2]
As the treatment aims to relieve the pressure on the spine and improve mobility, it is a great way to relieve the symptoms of major spinal disorders.
A study claims decompression therapy reduced pain in over 70% of patients with herniated/degenerated discs. Similarly, research proves that decompression therapy effectively treats patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
So, if you suffer from any spine-related conditions, it’s best to consult your doctor and get started with decompression therapy.
3. Non Invasive Treatment
Again, decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment plan. Therefore, it can be an appealing option for individuals who prefer to avoid surgical procedures or seek a conservative treatment method.
It doesn’t pose any surgical risk or tissue manipulation, which happens in traditional surgeries. So, the minimal risks make it a good option for many chronic back pain patients.
Complimentary Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
Decompression therapy is excellent, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all formula, mainly. Apart from the non-invasive therapy, it’s essential also to tweak your lifestyle habit a bit to leverage the benefits fully.
Here are some complimentary treatments and lifestyle changes to relieve back pain.
1. Physical Therapy
Taking physical therapy alongside decompression therapy will enhance the outcomes.
A physical therapist will customise an exercise program to strengthen your body and improve mobility. The exercises may involve stretches, core strengthening, and low-impact aerobics.
2. Weight Management
Managing weight is crucial as the added body mass can strain your spine and cause degeneration. So, follow a diet plan and exercise regularly so your BMI remains normal.
3. Exercise
Again, you must have realised how essential physical activity is for spinal health. Apart from decreasing weight, exercising also aids in overall well-being.
If hitting the gym is too much, opt for low-impact exercises like walking, jogging, swimming, etc. Also, never start heavy-duty exercises without consulting your physician.
4. Heat or Cold Therapy
Applying heat or ice packs to the affected area dramatically reduces inflammation and pain in your back. Ice can reduce swelling and numb the region, while heat increases blood flow and relieves pain. Still confused ? Read details about heat and cold therapy.
5. Stress Reduction
Chronic stress can contribute to muscle tension and exacerbate back pain. Hence, engage in activities you enjoy to reduce stress levels and promote overall well-being, such as relaxation exercises, hobbies, or activities you enjoy.
6. SUPMOGO RecoveryFlex System
Opting for decompression therapy for back pain may seem like a perfect solution to your back aches, but it’s not designed to accommodate everyone.
You need to Choose the Best Back Support Belt for Your Needs, right? The SUPMOGO RecoveryFlex System is designed by doctors and is best for pain relief. It’s a modern and innovative tool that will multiply your decompression therapy results over 10 times.
The belt works on ATT and sends electric impulses to your body (wherever it’s applied) to exercise the muscles and decrease muscle tension. So, why settle for slow progress when you can supercharge your healing journey?
Embrace the dynamic duo of decompression therapy and the RecoveryFlex System, and unlock the full potential of your back's recovery. It's time to take control of your well-being and fast-track your path to a pain-free life!
Conclusion
Chronic back pain can send you crippling on the bed for days. Similarly, medical conditions like herniated discs, bulging discs, and chronic back pain can devastate a person's physical and mental health.
Decompression therapy is an innovative technique that improves spinal health using the body's innate ability. Pair it up with our super effective SUPMOGO RecoveryFlex System, and you’ll be well on your way to a happy, pain-free life.
Endnotes
- Daniel, D. M. (2007). Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media?. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 15(1), 1-5.
- Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022.