The Key To Decompression

Each automated session of Spinal Decompression(SD) cycles the patient through a series of gentle pulls, holds and releases. Super-smooth transitions between each phase of SD can make for an experience so relaxing during which patients often fall asleep. As a session of SD commences, tension slowly mounts lengthening the spine. Up to one-half of the patient's body weight, plus as much as 25 pounds of tension, can be exerted directly on the injured discs - all without triggering the "guarding" proprioceptor response. This is where spinal pressures drop and decompression actually occurs.

The differing amounts of tension administered throughout the session, when graphed on a chart, produce a curve similar to the one shown above. After a holding period, tension is slowly decreased and the spine is retracted slowly. This cycle is repeated several times throughout a treatment session.

Visible Progress

Much like a scab heals, tears in the disc wall need time to heal. The absence of pain does not mean the tears have had time to seal up, which is crucial to preventing the newly retracted nucleus pulposus from escaping and putting pressure back on the nerves. Completing your course of SD, as determined by your doctor and according to the severity of your condition, takes time. Each session prescribed is needed to maintain a fully hydrated and oxygen-rich environment for the damaged disc. The same principles apply for those with degenerative disc disease.

After as little as nine treatments, the disc wall may have almost completely healed. However, a small fissure remains. Continuing on with the SD protocol will allow for an enriched disc environment to speed the body's natural healing mechanism. The last remaining SD sessions will enable the disc to completely heal, dramatically reducing the chance for a relapse.

Pre- and Post-MRIs:

Shown in this illustration are pre- and post-MRIs of an SD Therapy patient who had a herniated disc. The red arrows point to the injured disc, before and after treatment. Before treatment, the disc protrudes into the spinal canal, inpinging painfully on the sensitive nerves. After treatment, the once-extruded disc material has been literally "sucked" back into place. The result was a complete return to normal functioning.