The primary cause of disability for those under 45 years of age is back trouble and its associated pain. Nearly all people suffer from back pain occasionally, but for others it becomes a permanent, debilitating condition. For many years the only realistic solution was back surgery, or chiropractic treatment to ease the agony caused by bulging or herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative spinal disc disease, or pinched nerves and the resulting arm pain. The new century, however, has seen medical advancements on spinal decompression and back pain, giving a broader treatment choice to those who suffer.

Spinal decompression treatment is used when nerves become pinched by the vertebra or discs in the spinal column. Approved by the American Food and Drug Association, this is a non-surgically invasive, non-chiropractic therapy. Treatments are received while the patient is lying on a special table, which is connected to a computer. The computer software controls a built-in traction device, and is able to adjust the duration and level of treatment, allowing precision control of the length, angle, and force of distraction.

Patients are usually strapped to a decompression table, which is designed to gently move in a way that will decompress a disc. The movements are computer controlled, and the intended result is the creation of of a small space between vertebra. This small spinal elongation places the bones in a configuration that doesn’t compress or pinch nerves. More than one treatment is usually required.

This type of treatment originated in the late 1980s. It has a success rate ranging from moderate to high, and has provided relief for many people who sought a form of treatment that didn’t involve the need for surgery or daily pain medication. Because it is relatively new, spinal decompression treatment methods are evolving, and are making use of new aspects of therapy that were not previously available.

In the beginning, decompression was accomplished by utilizing a software controlled system of pulleys on a table. Similar to traditional traction devices in physical design, these systems were computer controlled to some extent, but could not pinpoint pressure as accurately as desired. In addition, due to physical limitations some back patients had difficulty in participating in such procedures, and the early models excluded the neck area.

As computer technology improved, so have the machines. Advanced software allowed some essential treatment options that were previously unavailable. These new programs are designed to reach an affected vertebra with pinpoint accuracy, and now include treatment of neck problems. Isolating the segments of the spine enables the therapist to decrease and increase the speed and extent of joint distraction or movement, cutting treatment times for patients with difficulty maintaining an aligned posture.

For many patients, this kind of controlled joint distraction is nearly free from pain. And, for those patients who may benefit from a slightly different approach, these devices now include gravitational protocols. These protocols make use of the lower body’s natural mass and weight to help stretch the spine and neck back into a less painful configuration, and are now an integral component of many newer devices and software.

Medical advancements on spinal decompression and back pain today include biotechnological improvements in the areas of multi-directional treatment via advanced software, and the development of gravitational methods of therapy. While no medical treatment can be 100% guaranteed to reduce back pain for every patient, studies show a remarkably good result for those who experience spinal decompression. For many people, this kind of treatment has provided greater pain reduction than medication or invasive back surgery.

Discover the newest information about chiropractic. Visit New Century Spine Centers website to learn about spinal decompression treatment to get rid of back pain.