When chiropractic adjustments don’t seem enough to bring you relief from back pain, there is a little more that your doctor of chiropractic may recommend for you. Spinal decompression therapy may be prescribed for patients when general chiropractic care, physical therapy, epidurals, or back surgeries have had none to very little results. Spine decompression therapy may also be considered if an MRI confirms that a patient is suffering from herniated discs causing nerve pressure, resulting in chronic back pain, sciatica and spinal stenosis.

A good patient age range for spinal decompression therapy is between 25 and 55, although it can be used carefully on elderly patients. This treatment is used when a patient is either pregnant or has a metal implantation in their spine.

Results will vary depending on the severity of the condition. The goal is that the patient’s pain be significantly reduced and that they gain the ability to return to their daily life and activities. Many patients are feeling better by visit number five or six. With an MRI, it can be determined if there has been any reduction in the size of the disc herniation.

Along with the spinal decompression, the chiropractor will often introduce a core-strengthening program of exercise as well as manual therapies to reduce inflammation and help with herniated discs.

The benefits of spinal decompression therapy are that it is a non-surgical and non-drug approach, safe and effective in most cases. It addresses the underlying structural issue that is causing a patient’s pain and dysfunction and is the most direct way to treat a problem.

Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is used to treat:

• Back or neck pain or sciatica (pain, weakness, or tingling that extends down the leg),
• Bulging or herniated disc or degenerative disc disease
• Worn spinal joints (posterior facet syndrome)
• Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots

The chiropractors at McKim Chiropractic specialize in spinal decompression therapy using the DRS Protocol™, a non-surgical alternative treatment for back pain associated with spinal and disc problems. Call McKim Chiropractic today for more information and to schedule a consultation. Following a thorough examination, a course of treatment will be customized uniquely for you. Our licensed and certified staff is happy to help the residents of Nampa, ID take the first step on the road to recovery.