Why it Works

Non-surgical spinal decompression relieves pain by enlarging the space between the discs. The negative pressure of decompression releases pressure that builds on the disc and nerves, allowing the herniated and bulging disc to return to normal position. Decompression is effective for severe cases of herniation, degeneration, arthritis, stenosis and pressure on the nerve root.. top

What is a Disc? What does a Disc do?

The disc is a soft cartilaginous material that seperates the spinal vertabrae. The middle of the disc is called the nucleus and the outer layer called the annulus. Discs act as shock absorbers. At around 19 years of age dics start to become avascular....meaning they do not receive a good blood supply. Without a good blood supply, when the disc is injured they do not heal very well, and is the main reason the discs give us so many problems. When we break a bone it heals quickly and actually stronger than before! But theavascular disc continues to degenerate. One of the amazing benefits of decompression is that it heightens the disc space, and returns it to a more normal size and function. Decompression also causes the nutrient rich fluid to fill the disc space which fosters the healing response.

Four classifications exist to describe disc lesions:

1. Annular bulge

2. Protrusion (Herniation)

3. Extrusion

4. Free Disc Fragment (Sequestration)

The annular bulge or disc bulge is a small disc herniation that does not directly contact the nerve root and left untreated can easily progress to a larger degree of nuclear protrusion because of the loss of the annular fibers to contain the nucleus. Degeneration will predispose annular fibers to failure following trauma.

Disc protrusion or herniation represents a rupture of nuclear material through a defect in annulus, producing a focal extension of the disc or a broad based extension of the disc margin. Intervertebral disc herniations result in some degree from central canal or foraminal occlusion.

Disk extrusion applies when a portion of the nucleus pulposus fibrocartilage and end plate cartilage have migrated through compromised outer annular fibers. Disc extrusions may compress the root, cord or both and can cause myeloradiculopathy or shooting pain.

Free disc fragment or a sequestered disc, refers to the extra-annular seperation and migration of a piece of nuclear material. Cauda Equina syndrome are common with intradural migration. This is when you lose control of bowel and bladder function. This is a emergency situatiion and usually requires surgery to correct the problem.

The most commonly injured disc is the lower lumbar spine. Increased pressure causes the jelly material inside the disc to "bulge" out of place .The bulge may put pressure on the nerves. The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and it is commonly irritated with disc problems. Sciaitica feels like a sharp shooting pain down the back into the buttocks or even into the toes. In extreme examples it can cause permanent nubmness and loss of muscle strength. If you sneeze, cough or bear down and it hurts, the disc may be involved. Patients can have disc pain with or without leg pain and leg pain and weakness caused from disc problems without back pain. top

What is the difference between decompression and traction?

Traction fails in many cases because it causes muscular stretch receptors to fire, which then cause para-spinal muscles to contract. This muscular response actually causes an increase in intradiscal pressure. On the other hand, genuine decompression is achieved by gradual and calculated increases of distraction forces to spinal structures, utilizing various degrees of distraction forces.

A specialized computer must modulate the application of distraction forces in order to achieve the ideal effect. The system applies a gentle, curved angle pull and is be offset by cycles of partial relaxation. Decompression involves the use of a special pelvic harness that supports the lumbar spine during therapy. Negative pressure within the disc is maintained throughout the treatment session. With genuine decompression, the pressure within the disc space can actually be lowered to about -150 mmHg. As a result, a damaged discmay be rehydrated with nutrients and oxygen.

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But isn´t decompression just a fancy name for a traction machine?

No. There is a big different between traction, distraction and decompression. Traction has been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years. The problem with traction as it is known today is that it is not always beneficial. In 1998, the Scientific American rated traction to be of little or no value in the examination of efficacious therapies for lower back pain. This finding is consistent with many studies that report traction can often times signal a nociceptive splinting response and put a patient’s back muscles in spasm, resisting any attempts to effect a change on the disc proper.

Distraction, a term used to describe a flexion distraction technique, attempts to reposition the spine from the offending lesion. This technique has been shown to be very effective. Like traction, distraction procedures are limited in the ability to reduce the intradiscal pressure, or produce a negative pressure within the disc imbibing fluid, nutrients and creating an environment for repair.

Decompression therefore is an event - a combination of restraint, angle position and equipment engineering. One can experience traction without decompression, but not decompression without traction. Traction is a machine - Decompression is an event. top

What results can I expect?

Often times a patient experiences some relief within the first few (3-7) treatments. Usually by the 12th to 15th treatment patients have reported some remission of symptoms. Patients not showing significant improvement by the 15th to 18th session may be referred for further diagnostic evaluation. Conditions that do not respond quickly to the therapy are often unable to be helped by anything quickly. Patients vary in age, sex and body morphology and may require counseling in weight loss, nutrition and other lifestyle changes. top

Who can benefit from Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression therapy?

The following would be inclusion criteria for Spinal Decompression Therapy (1) Pain due to herniated and/or bulging lumbar discs more than four weeks old; (2) Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery, without fusion more than six months old; (3) Persistent pain from degenerated discs not responding to four weeks of therapy; (4) Patients available for four weeks of treatment protocol; and (5) Patient at least 18 years of age.

These indications are ideal candidates for enrollment into our program and have the potential of achieving good quality outcomes in the treatment of their back pain: (1) Nerve Compression; (2) Lumbar Disorders; (3) Lumbar Strains; (4) Sciatic Neuralgia; (5) Herniated Discs; (6) Injury of the Lumbar Nerve Root; (7) Degenerative Discs; (8) Spinal Arthritis; (9) Low Back Pain w/ or w/o Sciatica; (10) Degenerative Joint Disease; (11) Myofasctois Syndrome; (12) Disuse Atrophy; (13) Lumbar Instability; (14) Acute Low Back Pain; and (15) Post-Surgical Low Back Pain.

Lastly, the system should be utilized with patients who have failed conventional therapy (medication, physiotherapy, chiropractic) and who are considering surgery. Surgery should only be considered following a reasonable trial of Spinal Decompression therapy. top

What conditions are contraindicated?

Patients with the following problems or symptoms are usually excluded from using Spinal Decompresion therapy: pregnancy, prior lumbar surgical fusion, metastatic cancer, severe osteoporosis, compression fracture of lumbar spine below L-1, pars defect, aortic aneurysm, disc space infections, severe peripheral neuropathy, hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction, Cauda Equina syndrome, tumors, osteoid osteoma, multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma, infection, osteomyelitis, meningitis, virus, and HNP (sequestered/free floating fragment). top

How long is each session and what is the treatment protocol?

Each treatment session averages 60 minutes in duration. Prior to decompression the patient may recieve all or some of the following: acupuncture, massage, heat, ultrasound, stretching, spinal manipulation. Post decompression the patient will recieve electrical muscle stimulation and cryotherapy. Research has established that for patient self-healing to occur, approximately 20 treatments are necessary, administered over a 4-6 week period. Dr. Parsons will provide a complete copy of the Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression treatment protocol upon request. top

Does insurance pay for Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?

As with most new procedures, such as Lasik eye surgery, insurance companies take time in reimbursing for them. We all know that Lasik eye surgery works but most insurance still do not pay for it. If your extended insurance plan has coverage for chiropractic, registered massage therapy, acupuncture etc. then you will eligible for partial reimbursement.

If you live in the Vancouver Island area please do your research and if you have any questions please feel free to email the Dr. Parsons and he will attempt to answer your questions right away. top