Spinal Decompression Therapy

How is Decompression Therapy administered and what results can I expect?

Spinal Decompression therapy is administered through the Triton DTS, a state-of-the-art computer directed spinal-rehab system.  The Triton DTS is certified to deliver therapeutic treatment forces in a comfortable and soothing manner.  The spinal decompression process gently pulls, holds, and releases the spine in a cycle that lasts about 1 minute.  This process will happen repeatedly for 20 minutes.  Normally when pulls are exerted on the spine, such as in conventional traction, the muscles respond by tightening.  This is known as the proprioceptive block.  Because of the special cycling action, the body does not respond by tightening the muscles, thus making the treatment extremely comfortable as well as effective. 

When this treatment cycle is directed to a specific dysfunctional spinal segment it promotes several physiological responses.  It can help mobilize a facet joint, strengthen the lumar spine, relieve pressure on a nerve, decompress a disc, or create an influx of oxygen, blood flow, and nutrients into the affected area. 

You are a candidate for this treatment if you have:

                                                             *Chronic and/or severe back pain

                                                              *Uncertain or poor prognosis

                                                              *Failed back syndrome

                                                              *Long term probability for drug use

                                                              *Failed back surgery

                                                              *Future anticipated need for surgery

Clinical studies on the effectiveness of spinal decompression therapy relevant for bulging disc sufferers.

“Eighty-six percent of ruptured intervertebral disc (RID) patients achieved ‘good’ (50-89% improvement) to ‘excellent’ (90-100% improvement) results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain were relieved.” “Of the facet arthroses patients, 75% obtained ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ results with decompression.”
C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, and Vera Borgmeyer, RN, MA. Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A Cost-Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain. American Journal of Pain Management Vol. 7 No. 2 April 1997

“Serial MRI of 20 patients treated with the decompression table shows in our study up to 90% reduction of subligamentous nucleus herniation in 10 of 14. Some rehydration occurs detected by T2 and proton density signal increase. Torn annulus repair is seen in all.”
Eyerman, Edward MD. Simple pelvic traction gives inconsistent relief to herniated lumbar disc sufferers. Journal of Neuroimaging. Paper presented to the American Society of Neuroimaging, Orlando, Florida 2-26-98.

“Results showed that 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89% of these patients 90 days after treatment.”
Gionis, Thomas MD; Groteke, Eric DC. Surgical Alternatives: Spinal Decompression. Orthopedic Technology Review. 2003; 6 (5).

“All but two of the patients in the study improved at least 30% or more in the first three weeks.” “Utilizing the outcome measures, this form of decompression reduces symptoms and improves activities of daily living.”
Bruce Gundersen, DC, FACO; Michael Henrie, MS II, Josh Christensen, DC. A Clinical Trial on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Using Vertebral Axial Distraction Delivered by a Computerized Traction Device. The Academy of Chiropractic Orthopedists, Quarterly Journal of ACO, June 2004