It has been determined that spinal decompression is one of the safest ways to alleviate back and neck pain. It is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for chronic back and neck pain, sciatica, degenerative disk disease, post back surgery pain, posterior facet syndrome and replacement for back surgery.
The complex nature of the back makes it difficult to generalize symptoms of pain to common causes. The disks and/or joints in the vertebrae can become weak or damaged, resulting in a buildup of pressure on neighboring nerves in the spinal column, which in turn causes chronic lower back pain. Spinal decompression machines relieve this pain by alleviating the pressure on the nerves. Relief is often reported after the first few treatments and drastic improvements occur in the second week of therapy.
A study led by Dr. John Leslie concluded that an average six week treatment program resulted in an 88.9% success rate, findings supported by the American Academy of Pain Management. A similar MRI study found a 90% reduction in disc herniations.
Most treatments consist of 30-45 minute sessions occurring daily or bi-daily for the first couple of weeks, followed by one to three times a week. The amount of treatment required depends on the severity of the symptoms, the age of the injury and the individual patient response rate. Treatments should be preceded with soft tissue muscle work to help relax the core muscles and limit the body’s protective reflex reaction. Cold laser therapy can help in reducing pain as well as aid the natural protective mechanism allowing spinal decompression to work at optimal levels.
Although spinal decompression has gained popularity in recent times, it is not a new invention. In its early form, decompression of the vertebral column was performed on a table fitted with a system of pulleys to provide the required amount of pressure on a patient’s back. Today, decompression devices make use of flexible bands that have adjustable contraction speed, providing a more comfortable experience for the patient. The newest models are based on traction therapy – instead of pulling on the entire spinal column at once, problem areas can be isolated and targeted with a series of pulling, oscillating, and relaxing movements.
The cost per treatment session ranges from $100 to $150, while the course of treatment costs between $2000 and $7000 depending on the package rates offered by the clinic. This generates a substantial amount of new revenue for practices introducing spinal decompression and most importantly, clients do not find it overly expensive when compared to surgery.
A spinal decompression machine might be just the tool to provide your business with a competitive edge. The technology is sought by many potential clients but it’s one that isn’t readily available. Incorporating this service into your practice can enable you to better treat your clientele and help attract new patients.
