Spinal Decompression in Brooklyn: What to Expect

TL;DR

• Non-surgical spinal decompression gently stretches the spine to take pressure off discs and nerves. No incisions, no anesthesia.
• It is different from surgical decompression, which is an operation your doctor may discuss in some cases.
• It is often used for lower back pain, sciatica, herniated or bulging discs and spinal stenosis. Results vary.
• It is not safe for everyone. Pregnancy, recent spinal fracture or surgery with hardware and severe osteoporosis are some reasons to skip it.

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is a way to take pressure off the spine. The non-surgical kind uses a device to apply a slow, controlled stretch to your lower back. The idea is to create a little more space between the bones of the spine, called vertebrae.

Between each pair of vertebrae sits a soft disc that works like a cushion. When a disc bulges or the space around a nerve gets tight, it can cause pain, numbness or tingling. Gentle decompression aims to ease that pressure for a while, so the area can settle and you can move more comfortably.

It is not the same as hanging upside down or stretching at home. The pull is planned, measured and adjusted by a clinician.

Non-surgical vs surgical decompression

The word “decompression” is used for two very different things, and that causes a lot of confusion.

• Non-surgical spinal decompression is a therapy. You lie on a table or device, fully clothed, and a controlled stretch is applied to your back. No cuts, no anesthesia and no hospital stay. This is what this post is about.
• Surgical decompression is an operation. A surgeon removes part of a bone, disc or ligament that is pressing on a nerve. Names you may hear include laminectomy or discectomy. Surgery is a separate decision your doctor may discuss if other care has not helped or if there are warning signs.

So if you searched “lumbar decompression Brooklyn” and are not sure which one you need, start with an evaluation. A doctor can explain which path fits your back and why.

What spinal decompression therapy may help with

Non-surgical decompression is mostly used for lower back and leg pain that comes from the discs or nerves. Common reasons people ask about it include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Sciatica, the pain, tingling or numbness that runs from the lower back down the leg
• Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spaces around the spinal cord and nerves
• Ongoing lower back pain linked to worn or degenerated discs
• Pinched nerves in the lower back

Whether it fits you depends on what is actually causing your pain. Back pain has many causes, and decompression is aimed at only some of them. Results vary from person to person, so it is used as one part of a plan, often next to exercise and physical therapy.

What a spinal decompression session is like

Here is what most people can expect:

• You stay dressed. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in.
• You get set up on the device. A harness or support holds your hips and upper body in place.
• The stretch starts slowly. The device pulls gently, then relaxes, in cycles. Most people feel a mild stretch in the lower back. Some find it relaxing.
• It should not hurt. If you feel sharp pain or new tingling, tell the clinician right away so they can adjust or stop.
• Sessions are short. Many last about 20 to 30 minutes, though this can vary.
• It usually takes a series. Decompression is rarely a one-visit treatment. Your clinician will suggest a plan based on how you respond.

After a session, most people go back to their normal day. Some feel mild soreness, similar to after a new stretch or workout.

Who should not have spinal decompression

Spinal decompression is not right for everyone. Tell your clinician before treatment if you have any of these:

• Pregnancy
• A recent spinal fracture
• Past spinal surgery with hardware, such as rods, screws or a fusion
• Severe osteoporosis or weak bones
• A spinal infection or a tumor in or near the spine
• Some types of aneurysm, especially in the abdomen

This list is not complete. Share your full health history, including medications and past surgeries. If you have new weakness in your legs, trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or numbness in the groin area, do not wait for therapy. Get urgent medical care.

Spinal decompression at Bay Way Pain Medical Care

At our Bay Parkway office in Brooklyn, we use the Back On Trac device for non-surgical spinal decompression. Your visit starts with an evaluation so we can understand what is behind your pain and whether decompression is a good fit. If it is, we explain the plan and how many sessions to expect. It is often combined with physical therapy to help build strength and keep you moving.

Learn more about the device on our Back On Trac therapy page, or read our earlier post, Back On Trac: Spinal Decompression for a Pain-Free Life.

We are at 6010 Bay Pkwy, 6th Floor, Suite 603, Brooklyn, NY. Call (718) 576-2001 to ask a question or book an evaluation.

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