Do you fear seeing a chiropractor? The idea of someone else physically adjusting your neck or back with their bare hands can be daunting. 

This fear can be pushed aside since there is advanced technology that can now aid chiropractors with adjustments.

One such technology, is the spinal decompression machine, which is a safe and non-surgical form of therapy that uses a gentle chiropractic technique to stretch the spine utilizing computerized technology and mechanical traction. The technology can control treatment duration, distraction/angle, intensity, and relaxation.  

Just like with hands-on work, this low force chiropractic, back decompression machine helps to alleviate pain and deal with degenerative discs, bulging discs, herniated discs, slipped discs, ruptured discs, sciatica, facet syndrome, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, chronic lower back pain, arm and leg pain, failed back surgery, and compression fractures. When repositioned, the pressure is reduced, herniations may retract, and nerves are relieved, restoring proper posture and force to the spine.

This treatment option is very safe and uses FDA cleared medical equipment to apply axial distraction forces to spinal structures in a precise and graduated manner using the best technology. Distraction is offset by cycles of partial relaxation. This technique of gentle touch chiropractic therapy has shown the ability to gently separate the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum inside the discs that is targeted.

So how does the spinal decompression machine work? For the low back, the patient lies comfortably on his/her back or stomach on the decompression table, with a set of padded straps 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 rubber pads behind the neck.

Many patients enjoy the treatment since it is quite comfortable and well tolerated, and many of them even fall asleep during treatment.

It should be noted that the spinal decompression machine is not for everyone. Patients who are pregnant, obese, have osteoporosis, metallic spinal implants, fresh disc surgery, nerve damage from scarring, severe bony stenosis, Grade II or greater spondylolisthesis, cancer or tumors of the spine, infection of the spine, aortic aneurysm repair, or have the inability to life flat will need to be individually evaluated for treatment.

There are so many benefits to using this low force chiropractic therapy, including: helps to restore disc function, forces to the spine are better and more effectively controlled, oxygen and nutrients are drawn into the discs, and pressure within an intervertebral disc can be reduced, which helps to decompress discs and alleviate nerve pain.

With the aid of this gentle chiropractic therapy, the spinal decompression machine allows patients the chance of resuming a normal lifestyle!