When you’re living with chronic back pain, finding relief can be challenging. If your pain is due to pressure on the spinal disks, the cushions between your vertebrae, spinal decompression may be an effective treatment. Offered by chiropractors, this nonsurgical procedure relieves pressure and promotes pain relief. If you’re curious about it, here are answers to a few questions you might have.

What to Know About Spinal Decompression 

What is it?

Back pain is often caused by pressure on the spinal disks. This, in turn, causes bulging or herniated disks that pinch the surrounding nerves. 

Spinal decompression stretches and gently adjusts your spine to release the pressure on the disks, which helps the body return to its proper position. Releasing pressure also increases the flow of water, oxygen, and nutrients to the disks, aiding recovery.

What happens during an appointment?

During a spinal decompression session, you lie on a specially designed, computer-controlled table. Your doctor will secure you with harnesses, then electronically adjust the sections of the surface to adjust the vertebrae. The adjustment takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Most people require several weeks of regular treatment for full relief from back pain. 

Are there any side effects?

Because spinal decompression is a drug-free alternative to many back pain treatments, patients typically don’t experience any side effects. Some people report feeling sore for a few days after the first few sessions, much like the soreness one might experience after working out. However, those aches diminish as the treatment progresses, and most people see significant pain relief within two weeks. 

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Spinal decompression is typically recommended for adults with chronic back pain from bulging or herniated disks, disk degeneration, sciatica, and arthritis. Pregnant women, cancer patients, people who’ve had recent back surgery or who have hardware in their spines, and those with aortic aneurysms should speak to their physicians about the procedure.

Your chiropractor will conduct a full review of your health history and X-rays during your consultation to ensure safety. 

If you’re looking for relief from chronic back pain, the experts at The Healing Center in Anchorage, AK, will help. These compassionate professionals help patients of all ages manage discomfort, including pain from sports injuries and car accidents. They offer a wide array of chiropractic treatments customized to the individual. Learn more about chiropractic care online. To schedule an appointment, call (907) 561-7041.