Spinal Decompression

High intradiscal pressures cause discs to bulge out and press painfully on nerve roots. They also make for a compressed, anaerobic environment unsuitable for healing. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression produces negative pressures within the disc which creates a vacuum effect that draws in nutrients and fluids to promote the repair of injured discs and surrounding tissues. This vacuum also helps to pull back the herniated or bulging disc material off of the surrounding nerves and back to the normal confines of the disc, permitting healing to occur.

Anyone who has back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched nerves)Is Spinal Decompression better than other therapies for disc injuries?Scientific research has shown that traction, physical therapy and spinal manipulation may only reduce the disc pressures to as low as 40 mmHg. Only spinal decompression has been shown to actually achieve the negative pressure within the spine needed to cause the vacuum pull needed to heal an injured disc. It has been clinically proven that spinal decompression creates negative pressures as low as -160 mmHg within the disc during the treatment session.

**Ramos G., Martin W., Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression on Intradiscal Pressure, Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol. 81, No. 3 September 1994.

After a significant amount of research, Dr. Rumley chose the KDT Neural Flex System, invented by Dr Jay Kennedy, a leader in Non- Surgical Decompression. More importantly, our system has the brand new computerized head which is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced unit in the world. The KDT Neural Flex is the most advanced decompression table. With most decompression tables, the patient can only lay supine (on back), with the KDT decompression table there are several positions for the best outcome.We believe the Kennedy Neural-Flex Decompression Table to be the most sophisticated, technologically advanced, state-of-the-art spinal decompression equipment in the world.

The Computer head and various positions is the key. It controls the variations in the traction pull allowing for spinal decompression and eliminating muscle guarding that is typical in conventional traction devices. The pre-programmed patterns for ramping up and down the amount of axial distraction allows for higher levels of spinal decompression and disc rehydration. With traction, weight is used to cause tension in the spine with the intention of lengthening the spine and reducing pressure. However, the linear force of the traction can promote muscle spasm and lead to greater injury. Studies confirm that the benefits of traction come from simply immobilizing the spine. In fact, the Quebec Task Force ruled in 1996** that traction was not an effective treatment for chronic, herniated discs and that the results are not long lasting and cannot produce negative pressures in the disc.Spinal Decompression is different because it bypasses the muscle splinting and spasm effect caused by traction by gently pulling on the spine and relaxing the back over an extended period of time, allowing the spine to be repositioned without tension.

** Teasell, Robert W., Limitations of the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash Associated Disorders, University of Western Ontario, 1996.

Yes! One study documented by MRI up to 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 of 14 cases and other studies reported that the majority of ruptured disc patients achieved “good” to “excellent” results after spinal decompression therapy.The February 2007 issue of “To Your Health” Magazine features an article about spinal decompression therapy some of you may have read. In the article you can read a discussion on the safety and effectiveness of this non-surgical treatment for spinal disc herniations.

In almost all cases, the treatments are completely painless. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the spinal decompression session.The number of sessions needed and your specific treatment plan will be determined by the doctor after your examination.Your insurance company will likely cover some of the spinal decompression therapy services provided on any given visit, although reimbursement varies, but your out-of-pocket expense for all needed services could be little more than your co-payment. Whatever the case may be, you will find that we can make your treatment program affordable for most any budget.If you are not covered by insurance, we offer financing through several outside companies that will allow you to make up to 18 monthly payments with no interest. Additionally, we accept credit cards and offer the option to spread care out in multiple payments directly with our office.

To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), chiropractic adjustments (as indicated) and active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.

We want to make it easy for you to learn if you are a candidate for spinal decompression therapy. Just call our office to arrange a consultation with Dr. Rumley.Please remember to bring any MRI reports so the doctor can review them and best advise you about your treatment options. Kennedy Neural-Flex Decompression TableThe Kennedy Neural-Flex Decompression Table is the ONLY table on the market allowing patients to be comfortably and effectively treated in either the prone (belly down) position or the supine (belly up) position.

Because depending on the patient’s diagnosis, it may be painful to lay one way and prohibit the treatment. By having both available, treatment is more comfortable and therefore more efficacious.