Chiropractic Contributions to Disc and Tissue

Online, January 10, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Dr. Laura says chiropractic offers far more than the ability to reverse some of the mechanical-type changes and reduce stress on the body, augmenting healing. After we adjust patients whose tissue trauma has caused them to develop chemical type irritation, we see changes even within the disc and within the tissue. These changes promote recovery so the tissue can start to regenerate. I believe that's one of the factors that contribute to our popularity when we work in the medical model. We offer an alternative approach that helps our patients with these types of conditions.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is a revolutionary new technology used primarily to treat disc injuries in the neck and in the low back. This treatment option is very safe and utilizes FDA cleared equipment to apply distraction forces to spinal structures in a precise and graduated manner. Distraction is offset by cycles of partial relaxation. This technique of spinal decompression therapy, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning, has shown the ability to gently separate the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum inside the discs that we are targeting. This will take pressure off the spinal discs, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine. This "vacuum effect" is also known as negative intra-discal pressure.

The negative pressure may induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc into the inside of the disc, and off the nerve root, thecal sac, or both. It happens only microscopically each time, but cumulatively, over four to six weeks, the results are quite dramatic.

The cycles of decompression and partial relaxation, over a series of visits, promote the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids from the outside of the discs to the inside. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibers to begin to heal. It also helps turn over the fluid levels in that disc and changes those chemical patterns that we see inside the inter vertebral disc. These are what we believe are irritating and significant pain generators that produce symptoms. A chemical pattern that is in the process of evolving into a cascade of symptom production is improved with manual techniques.

Proponents of this treatment say that over time, negative pressure from this therapy may cause bulging or herniated disks to retract. That can take pressure off the nerves and other structures in your spine. This in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal.

For the low back, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back or stomach on the decompression table, with a set of nicely padded straps snug around the waist and another set around the lower chest. For the neck, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back with a pair of soft pads behind the neck. Many patients enjoy the treatment, as it is usually quite comfortable and well tolerated.