Given the enormous role your spine plays as the foundation of your entire musculoskeletal structure, it’s little wonder that back pain affects as many people as it does — around 80% of the population in the United States. If your back pain, whether it’s acute or chronic, stems from issues in your spinal discs, decompression treatments may be just the solution you’re looking for.
At Premier Chiropractic, our team understands the complexity of the human musculoskeletal structure and how problems in one area can have a cascading effect over your body — especially when it comes to your spine. To provide patients in and around Pearland, Texas, with the tools they need to regain pain-free movement, we offer decompression treatments that support the health of your spine.
Here’s a look at how decompression works to offset the pain and discomfort that come with spinal disc issues.
At the center of it all
The human body is a complex and brilliant engineering marvel that starts with your spine. This structure is made up of 33 vertebrae that stretch from the base of your head down to your pelvis, providing the foundational support for your entire body. To help with this considerable task, your vertebrae are divided by 23 discs, which provide cushioning and support, and enable range of motion along your spine.
These discs are made of a tough cartilage outer layer that houses a jelly-like substance on the inside, which is what provides the cushioning effect. If these discs slide out of place (bulge), compress, or rupture, they can impact the nerve roots in the area, creating back pain that can radiate out through your limbs.
Disc problems can occur through general wear and tear and degenerative disc disease which weakens the tissue, as well as from spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of your spinal canal.
Taking the pressure off
Since spinal disc problems generally entail a disc that’s compressed or herniated, it makes sense that relief can be found by taking the pressure off of those discs, which is the aim of spinal decompression.
With spinal decompression, we apply traction to your spine to separate your vertebrae, creating negative pressure. These treatments are designed to give your discs more room, even encouraging them to retract if they’ve breached their normal spaces.
The treatments also encourage your natural healing resources to flow more freely, giving your body time to repair the problem in your disc.
To apply the pressure, we use a special traction table and a computer to ensure that we apply the right amount of traction for the appropriate length of time. Most of our patients require a series of decompression treatments for optimal results, and they also take additional measures to strengthen their spine through physical therapy, massage, and hot and cold therapies.
If you’d like to explore how decompression treatments can bring you much-needed relief from back pain, please give us a call at (281) 223-1172 or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.