Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to relieve back pain by gently stretching the spine. It’s often recommended for individuals suffering from conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, or degenerative disc disease. If you’ve been exploring options for pain relief and have considered spinal decompression treatment, it’s natural to wonder what happens during a session. Here’s a breakdown of what patients can expect when they go for spinal decompression therapy.
Initial Consultation and Assessment
Before starting spinal decompression therapy, patients typically undergo an initial consultation with their chiropractor or physical therapist. This consultation is crucial for assessing the root cause of the back pain. The healthcare provider will take a detailed medical history, ask about your symptoms, and may order imaging tests like an X-ray or MRI. These diagnostic tools help the practitioner determine whether spinal decompression treatment is right for you and how to customize the sessions to address your specific condition.
Preparing for the Session
Once the initial consultation is complete and spinal decompression therapy is recommended, the actual treatment sessions begin. On the day of your session, you will be asked to wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict movement. The process itself is straightforward and does not require any anesthesia or special preparation.
The Decompression Process
During the spinal decompression treatment, patients are positioned on a motorized table. Depending on the type of pain or condition, the patient is either placed face up or face down. A harness is fitted around the pelvis and another around the trunk to secure the patient in place. The motorized table then gently stretches the spine, creating negative pressure within the discs. This negative pressure encourages the retraction of bulging or herniated discs and promotes the flow of nutrients and oxygen to the affected areas, facilitating healing.
The stretching is done in a controlled manner, with alternating cycles of tension and relaxation. This helps reduce the pressure on the spinal discs and nerves, providing relief from pain. A typical spinal decompression therapy session lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the severity of the condition being treated.
How Does it Feel?
Most patients find spinal decompression therapy near me to be a comfortable experience. The gradual stretching of the spine is not painful, although some individuals may feel mild discomfort, especially if their muscles are tight or their condition is severe. However, this discomfort tends to subside as the body adjusts to the treatment.
Post-Session Care and Frequency of Treatment
After the session, you may feel some soreness or mild discomfort, similar to how you might feel after a workout. This is normal and usually subsides within a day or two. Many patients report feeling relief after the first few sessions, although it often takes multiple treatments to achieve significant and lasting results. Typically, a full treatment plan may consist of 15 to 30 sessions over the course of several weeks.
Conclusion
For those suffering from chronic back pain, spinal decompression near me can be a highly effective and non-invasive treatment option. By gently stretching the spine and relieving pressure on the discs, this therapy offers relief and promotes healing. If you’re considering this therapy, knowing what to expect during the session can help ease any concerns and prepare you for a smooth experience.
If you’re looking for effective spinal decompression in Wheat Ridge, CO, you can consult with local specialists to begin your journey toward pain relief.
