How Often Should You Do Spinal Decompression?

If you’ve sought treatment for chronic back and neck pain, somebody may have suggested spinal decompression therapy. This novel treatment has been around for more than 10 years, and many practitioners recommend it as an alternative to surgery.

Spinal decompression can help with several conditions causing pain. That’s why people are interested in how it works and how often you should do spinal decompression to experience the most benefits. Read on to learn all about it. 

How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?

Spinal decompression therapy is FDA-approved, and it is mainly used to treat back and neck pain. The typical session takes place in a professional setting, where a trained medical practitioner straps a harness around your pelvis and trunk. These harnesses are used to stretch you gently on a computer-controlled table.

Depending on your condition and the root cause of your pain, a doctor will instruct you to lay face down or face up. They input stretching instructions and intensity into a computer, and the table and harnesses do the rest. The doctor monitors you and adjusts the treatment to reach maximum results.

When your spine is stretched, it creates some space between the discs, allowing an influx of fluid with nutrients and oxygen. That promotes healing, but it also takes the pressure off discs and allows your spine to realign.

What Conditions Can Benefit From Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is used to aid several medical conditions causing back and neck pain. It can also be used to treat pain in the extremities caused by a spinal problem, such as sciatica. 

Your doctor may suggest spinal decompression if you struggle with:

• Sciatica
• Slipped discs
• Herniated discs
• Degenerative discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Pinched nerves

How Often to Do Spinal Decompression?

Typically, you will undergo 2-5 spinal decompression sessions per week, for four to six weeks. That’s 12-20 appointments before you can experience long-lasting pain relief. Most people feel some of the benefits even after the initial session, but you need at least several sessions before seeing any significant progress.

Once you visit a medical professional about spinal decompression therapy, they’ll assess your condition and tell you exactly how many appointments per week you need based on your situation and the severity of your back problems.

A typical session lasts around 20 minutes, and it usually has no side effects. Some people experience discomfort, but the sensation quickly disappears. Another side effect, although rare, is mild muscle spasms.

In addition to spinal decompression, your doctor may suggest other treatments such as heat and cold therapy, electric stimulation, physical therapy, stretches, and low-impact exercises to strengthen the muscles in your back.

Where Can I Get Spinal Decompression?

At the 3R (Regenerative, Repair, and Relief) Center in the Woodlands area, we have a widely experienced medical team led by Dr. Edward Nash and Dr. Jeffrey Pruski. We offer innovative treatments that help our patients experience a pain-free life, including spinal decompression.

Click here to contact us and discover whether you qualify for spinal decompression therapy.