Spinal decompression therapy is trying to reposition and decompress the discs between the vertebrae using traction forces that aims to create a negative pressure within the disc that may allows the disc to regain volume by drawing in fluids. A socalled wear and tear which is actually a normal adjustment process due to uneven pressure onto the discs can lead to loss of fluid content, contribute to a rupture or herniation as a result of a more brittle and less shock absorbing „thinner“ disc.
Spinal decompression therapy (spinal distraction) is used to help patients with back pain usually applied by chiropractors or osteopaths and it may involve therapeutic machines or tables for spinal distraction often combined with medication, home self help exercises and lifestyle changes.
Spinal decompression therapy may be used to treat conditions like:
- degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- herniated disks
- spinal stenosis
- facet syndrome
- pain that occurs after surgery
Spinal decompression therapy may benefit people who:
- daily take medications for their back pain
- have a tingling sensation or numbness in an extremity
- have been thinking of back surgery but don’t like the idea
- have missed work because of their back pain
- have limitations in their daily life due to back or leg pain
- have tried physical therapy but it hasn’t worked
- have not found relief from back pain through corticosteroid injections
- suffer from recurrent sciatica
- have an unknown or unclear cause of their pain
- have a herniated disc
The appeal of non-surgical spinal decompression is that it is a non-invasive, non-surgical, drug-free alternative treatment for low back pain, sciatica, disc degeneration, disc bulges, disc herniations, and facet syndrome. There is copious anecdotal evidence of its effectiveness and more case studies are being published demonstrating very positive results in patients who have tried other conservative treatments that have failed.
A 2007 review of published research on this treatment method found shortcomings in most published studies and concluded that there was only "very limited evidence in the scientific literature to support the effectiveness of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy."In 2008, a retrospective chart review "provides preliminary data" spinal decompression may improve chronic low back pain. However, there is no scientific evidence that so called non-surgical spinal decompression is any different than traction. The only difference seems to be in the cost of the devices and the marketing of them. (source: wikipedia)
A critial article on spinal decompression you can find here:
http://www.chiroandosteo.com/content/15/1/7
In its summery it states:
There is very limited evidence in the scientific literature to support the effectiveness of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. This intervention has never been compared to exercise, spinal manipulation, standard medical care or other less expensive conservative treatment options which have an ample body of research demonstrating efficacy. Considering the cost-benefit relationship, many better researched and less expensive treatment options are available to the clinician.
My comment: Spinal decompression helped many of my patients in the past but is certainly not the magic bullet for back pain. Whenever possible I use gentle techniques and as much hands on work as possible. We made tests and comparision research using different massage techniques, traction tables, inversion tables and computerized decompression machines and a decompression wedge in addition to the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™, and found no significant difference in the effectivity between them. I still prefer my own development, the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™, for its easyness of use, affordability, flexibility and the active re-alignment possibility. Maschines or gadgets should not be seen as replacement for manual therapy work but as complement and together with self therapy at home can bring great results in treating back pain.
Dynamic Spinal Decompression with the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™
By simply using a little wedge placed under the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™ one can achieve an effective, dynamic, safe and gentle decompression (tracktion-stretching) of the lumbar spine.
Our research and tests in comparison with several very expensive computerized spinal decompression machines showed at least the same effectivity as these devices in achieving an effecive decompression and a fast reduction of stress and pain in the lumbar spine on Patients with lower back pain (several different pathologies) and disc buldges (herniated discs).
The wedge can be used as preparation for the active and dynamic Self-Realignment exercises with the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™ and may due to its relaxing effect enhance the Re-alignment process during the normal use of the tool.
Comparision of the Spynamics Sacro Aligner™ with wedge and Decompression machines:
Spynamics Sacro Aligner™ with wedge:
Inexpensive (Small one time investment)
Active decompression (using own body weight)
Traction direct via Sacrum (No stress on any joint ligaments)
Flexible and mobile use anywhere
Decompression in combination with active Re-alignment
Decompression machines:
Very expensive (Each session costs large amounts)
Passive decompression (computerized table traction)
Traction via Hipblade (Stress for SIJ Ligaments)
Must be used at the location of the machine
Only Decompression, no active re-alignment
The Spynamics Sacro Aligner is a Gold Medal awarded Self Help / Self Therapy Tool and further research is currently conducted in Germany, Australia and Philippines.
More Information is available on the website: http://www.spynamics.com