Apex Health Network

Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression refers to procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the spinal column. It aims to reduce pain, numbness, and other symptoms caused by spinal conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica.

Non-surgical spinal decompression typically involves using a traction table or a similar device to gently stretch the spine, creating negative pressure within the discs and relieving pressure on the nerves. This can help reduce pain and promote healing by allowing nutrient-rich fluid to flow into the discs. It’s often used as a conservative treatment option for back pain before considering surgery.

Your spine (backbone) provides support for your body. It consists of bones called vertebrae, with ligaments and spinal disks that keep it flexible. Your spinal column provides a nerve pathway that runs down the middle of these bones, ligaments and disks.

Spine injuries or degeneration (wear and tear) to your spine can cause pain. You might feel pain from compression in your spine that puts pressure on your spinal cord or nerves. Spinal decompression seeks to relieve the pressure to ease the pain.

Common reasons you might seek spinal decompression treatment include:

  • Bulging disks: when a cushion between vertebrae bulges out.
  • Degenerative disks: when the cushion between vertebrae starts wearing out.
  • Herniated disks: when part of a disk pushes on a nerve.
  • Pinched nerves: when a nerve gets pinched (compressed), causing numbness, pain or tingling.
  • Sciatica: damage to your sciatic nerve.
  • Spinal stenosis: narrowing of spaces in your spine due to bone spurs or bulging or herniated disks.