Frequently
Asked
Questions
Is Spinal Decompression Safe?
Spinal Decompression Therapy is one of the most gentle and comfortable forms of spinal treatment available. The state of the art Spinal Decompression equipment and intuitive technology has a proven safety standard and a high level of efficacy.
Spinal Decompression treatments have never reported to cause injury. Most patients report a mild sense of stretch on their backs, hips, necks and shoulders and often fall asleep during treatment sessions.
What Does a Spinal Decompression Therapy Session Involve?
The patient stays fully clothed and lies down on the Spinal Decompression table in a relaxed position. At the beginning of each session, the patient is securely fastened into a neck or lower back harness.
The computerised program controls the table, slowly moving, lengthening and releasing the spine at precise intervals. This process creates decompression which gently realigns the disc and takes pressure off the surrounding nerves and soft tissue.
Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Hurt?
One of the most positive things about Spinal Decompression Therapy is how remarkably comfortable it is. Patients feel no pain and in most cases they find the treatment experience very relaxing. Only a small percentage of patients experience temporary soreness which is a sign that muscles have been stretched in a different way.
How Long Does it Take Before I Feel Better?
Some patients feel pain relief after just one or two sessions while for other patients it takes several sessions to feel symptomatic improvement. It really all depends on the severity of the patient’s disc or spinal condition, how long they have had the problem for, how much inflammation is present and how well the patient follows the set instructions of the Spinal Decompression Therapy program.
It is important to note that spinal decompression therapy is not a quick fix achieved in just a few sessions. This treatment requires a relatively slow process due to the severity and volatility of most cases. The primary goal of spinal decompression therapy is to gradually increase the decompression load to create greater separation between the vertebrae, thereby enhancing nutrient flow into the disc and alleviating nerve pressure.
During this therapy, the ligaments and muscles surrounding the vertebrae are stretched, and scar tissue and adhesions are broken down. Proper healing of a disc injury, with appropriate care, requires a minimum of 10-12 weeks. A standard spinal decompression program involves three sessions per week for 10 weeks. Undertaking fewer sessions or an abbreviated program may significantly reduce the efficacy of the treatment, resulting in less long-lasting benefits.
Research case studies have indicated that a minimum of 20 visits is necessary to observe any tangible results. It is crucial to understand that spinal decompression therapy demands dedication and time to achieve effective outcomes.
Most patients, upon completion of their tailor made treatment program, have experienced dramatic pain relief, a significant decrease in other symptoms and considerable improvement in their overall spinal function.
How Long Does a Spinal Decompression Therapy Session Take?
Your treatment program will involve making gradual progress to find the relief you’re looking for. Each session takes about 26 minutes. Depending on your symptoms, it may take 8-12 weeks for a disc to heal, with 20-30 sessions over 2-3 months.
How Long is The Spinal Decompression Therapy Program?
It generally takes 10-12 weeks for a disc to heal with Spinal Decompression Therapy. It takes a bit longer for more severe and complex cases. We typically treat the patient 3 times a week during this period of time.
How Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Different To Traction?
Traction is a cable based system which involves the use of weights, ropes and pulleys to achieve a pull and hold action. With traction devices it is difficult to target specific discs in lesion and there is no bio feedback sensor mechanism to control force levels and protect against muscle guarding.
Spinal Decompression therapy is delivered by the cutting edge HillDT Spinal Decompression Table controlled by a sophisticated computer program. The computer communicates with the HillDT Table via advanced sensor technology which targets the specific disc that needs to be decompressed.
The sensors constantly monitor the treatment force and muscle resistance of the patient. At a rate of over 10,000 pulses per millimetre, the HillDT Spinal Decompression Table actually senses the patients approaching threshold and reduces the pull.
What Success Rate Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Have?
Designed by Doctors of Chiropractic, Spinal Decompression Therapy with the HillDT table is an evolved and research driven treatment enhanced with the most advanced technology producing extraordinary patient outcomes.
Success Rates: If the MRI indicates 0-3mm disc protrusion 95%, 3-5mm 90%, 5-7mm 80%, over 7mm 25% decompression therapy will resolve the herniation*
*Computed Tomographic Evaluation of Lumbar Spinal Structures during Traction 2005, Vol. 21, No. 1 Pages 3-11 Hidayet Sari, MD, Ulku Akarimak, MD, etal
How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Compare To Spinal Surgery?
Unlike spinal surgery, there is usually no downtime or time lost from work. Although spinal surgery usually involves several months of recovery time, there is no recovery time needed for Spinal Decompression Therapy.
You simply come in for your treatment as scheduled then go about your daily business. Most patients gradually feel better over a few weeks of care. There are no surgical risks such as infection, scarring, nerve damage and failed back surgery syndrome.
How Does the HillDT Spinal Decompression Table Differ From Other Decompression tables?
The HillDT Spinal Decompression table is the benchmark for decompression tables worldwide. It remains unsurpassed for engineering quality, intuitive technology and patient comfort.
The HillDT table has advanced sensor technology that continuously measures and monitors the treatment force and patient-resistance of every treatment. The table actually senses the patient’s approaching threshold and reduces the pull.
This means that the HillDT provides low-force, smooth decompression in a completely different class from cable-based systems and greatly reduces soreness and pain associated with the therapy sessions.
The HillDT has the combination of the pelvic-tilt system and eight treatment protocols that give the Doctor the capability of targeting the exact disc they want to treat.
The cervical decompression tools were made to function precisely as well with two primary advantages. First, the cervical device is fully adjustable, fully cradles the head and offers complete encapsulation of the occiput. The second advantage is the ability to tilt the cervical cushion of the table to target the lower cervical discs and relieve pressure off the posterior region.