860-567-2300
Spinal Decompression
Anatomy of an Intervertebral Disc
Our spine has a series of cushions that sit between the vertebra known as discs. The disc is made up of two parts, the annulus fibrosis which forms the outer part of the disc and the nucleus pulposus which is the center of the disc. The annulus fibrosis is made of many fibers forming concentric rings. It is very thick and generally very durable. They are designed to be extremely difficult to tear. The nucleus pulposus is a jelly like material which affords the disc its cushioning capability.
Occasionally and often due to extreme trauma, the annulus fibrosis rings tear. When this happens, the nucleus pulposus leaks out of the center of the disc and compromises the spinal cord. When this happens it is known as a disc herniation. A disc herniation often compromises the spinal never root, causing peripheral nerve damage or interference.
Another aspect of the problem is that spinal discs do not have a direct blood supply. They get all their nutrient from adjoining tissues via a process known as osmosis. It is for this reason that discs don’t heal quickly. Due to the painful ramifications of the nucleus pulposus pushing up against the nerves, historically surgery has been required to decompress the spine at the level(s) of the disc herniation.
How Spinal Decompression Therapy Really Works
Non-surgical spinal decompression is produced by a remarkable new technology that isolates the offending disc and creates a strong vacuum within the center of the torn disc. This in-turn enables the disc to absorb all the adjoining fluid from surrounding tissues, rehydrating the disc and eventually restoring it to its original state.
The spinal decompression table has a mechanism built into it known as an “actuator” that applies a gentle pressure which can be focused so it is vertebral disc specific. This is accomplished by applying the pressure to the spine at a specific angle while distracting the spine at that same spinal level. With repeated treatments over a short period of weeks the disc heals very rapidly and easily without the need for surgery. This method is effective for all disc pathology, including degenerative disc disease, not just traumatic disc herniation.