Are You Feeling Back Pain? Spinal Decompression Can Help!

The spinal cord is an organ that conveys information from the brain to all other parts of the body. There are 31 nerves in total that emanate from the spinal cord. The cord is divided into segments; the cervical segment, thoracic,

lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal segment. The cervical segment has nerves innervating the head, neck, and upper chest region.

Nerves from the thoracic segment innervate the chest, and those from the lumbar segment innervate the genitals, abdomen, and upper thighs. Nerves in the sacral segment innervate the thighs, legs, and feet. When the spinal cord gets damaged or undergoes any changes, consequences in the body will depend on the segment affected. For example, injury to the spine in the cervical segment can result in chronic neck pains or headaches because the segment innervates the mentioned regions. Similarly, a patient can be feeling back pain as a result of damage to the spinal cord in the lumbar segment.

Certain procedures, such as spinal decompression, are aimed at treating problems of the spinal cord. Spinal decompression near LAX is usually done on patients with lower back pains that are a result of age. This is because, as you age, your spinal discs weaken, leading to problems in your spinal cord. Patients who need the treatment inquire about the general things to know about spinal decompression near LAX.

Some of the questions that patients ask our spinal decompression chiropractor near LAX include:

1. What is spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression is a computer-aided procedure that reduces pressure on the spinal cord or compression in nerves. It aims at relieving lower back pains or neck pain due to spinal discs that have degenerated or herniated. Spinal discs absorb shock due to mechanical trauma and also hold the spine in position. When a disc herniates or degenerates, it can lead to nerve irritation or compress a nerve leading to pain.

According to statistics, more than 50% of adults in the United States suffer from back pains. The statistics show that there is a large number of patients that seek back pain treatment near LAX and other clinics that offer spinal decompression.

2. How does the procedure work?
The procedure works by stretching the spinal cord where herniated or degenerated discs are located. The stretching creates a vacuum in the cord and also aligns it. The reduction in pressure promotes the flow of blood to the area. Blood contains nutrients and oxygen that are supplied to the area to reduce symptoms the patient might be experiencing, such as inflammation and pain.

3. Who needs spinal decompression treatment?
Our spinal decompression chiropractor near LAX recommends the treatment to patients who have discs that have herniated, bulged or degenerated, sciatica (pain radiating from the lower back to the leg), pain as a result of surgery, and spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spinal cord become narrow, exerting pressure on nerves. All these conditions are associated with symptoms such as feeling back pain, neck pain, or headaches.

4. How long does the procedure last and when will treatment end?
Spinal decompression treatment near LAX usually lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. During the first week of treatment, you will undergo treatment daily but the frequency will reduce as time progresses. Most patients have their sessions reduced to three times a week within the second week and twice a week in the last two weeks of treatment. The total sessions that most patients undergo are 18 within a month or two.

5. What should I expect during the treatment?
During treatment, the chiropractor will request you to lay in a bed that is heavily padded. An upper and lower body harness will secure you into position, and you can relax through a nap or music. The procedure is painless in most patients, but some patients have admitted to experiencing a bit of pain.

6. Do I qualify for spinal decompression treatment?
You qualify for the procedure if you are older than 18 years, experience persistent pain due to failure of back surgery or arthritis, and have been diagnosed with a herniated, degenerated, or bulged spinal discs.

You might be feeling back pains but cannot qualify for back pain treatment near LAX due to the following reasons:

• You are pregnant.

• You have cancer of the abdomen or pelvis or any cancer that has spread to the bones.

• Presence of metals such as screws in your spine.

• You recently had a fracture of the lumbar segment of the spine.

• Your spinal disc space is infected.

• You have progressed spondylolisthesis, which is a condition in which the lower vertebrae slips far enough that it directly presses on nerves.

7. What other treatment plans will my doctor prescribe alongside the treatment?
Spinal decompression chiropractors near LAX can recommend physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic adjustments along with the procedure. Physical therapy is to promote repair of tissues, massage therapy to relieve the side effects of muscle spasm, and chiropractic adjustment to fix any alignment issues.

8. What are the side effects I should expect from the treatment?
Spinal decompression is a generally safe procedure that is associated with few side effects. Some common side effects from the procedure include soreness of the muscles within the first two weeks of treatment and muscle spasm. Patients who have a herniated disc are likely to feel pain within the first weeks of treatment.

9. How long will it take to notice the benefits of the procedure?
The time taken to notice the result will vary from patient to patient. Patients with mild pains usually notice results earlier than those with severe pains. The majority of patients start to notice significant results after two to three weeks of treatment. A few of the patients notice results during the first week of treatment while others notice results during their last weeks of treatment. There is a probability that the treatment may fail in certain patients. Contact our chiropractor near LAX today.