Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Care Helpful for Lessening Back Issues

Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Care Treat Back Issues in Fairfax

We work with many back pain patients in our Fairfax chiropractic office, and Dr. Zapf and our staff use a variety of techniques to help get you out of pain and restore your spine's normal, healthy function. We find spinal decompression to be a very effective approach.

How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

To help you better understand spinal decompression therapy, think of the discs in your spine like water balloons filled with jelly. When you squeeze them (which occurs due to normal living, sustaining an injury, or other medical conditions), they can protrude, placing pressure on the nerves in your spinal column. This affects your brain's ability to communicate with tissues in the rest of your body.

If the force on the discs becomes too high, the discs can herniate or bulge. This lessens the cushioning between your vertebrae and can cause discomfort. The purpose of spinal decompression therapy is to relieve this pressure to help increase your body's function and also reduce your level of discomfort.

Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help Me?

Spinal decompression therapy relieves disc pressure through the use of a specially designed table that carefully elongates your spinal column through slow and controlled movements. This lessens the pressure placed on your discs. Some studies state an increase in disc height by as much as 1.3 millimeters after just six weeks of this treatment.

If you're wondering if spinal decompression therapy could help you feel and function better, simply call our Fairfax office and schedule an appointment with Dr. Zapf today. Your optimal health is our number one goal!

Resources

Apfel CC, Cakmakkaya OS, Richmond C, et al. Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2010;11(155). doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155