Spinal decompression is a gentle, non-surgical treatment that our chiropractors may recommend for clients with disc-related back or leg pain. Our computer-controlled table gently stretches the spine to reduce pressure on the discs and nerves.
The spinal disc is a soft cushion that sits between each vertebrae of the spine. The spinal discs are composed of a tough outer cartilage (annulus fibrosus) with a squishy center (nucleus pulposis). Like a shock absorber for a car, the disc is the shock absorber for the spine. When too much pressure is placed on the disc, it bulges or herniates. Think of it like a jelly doughnut. Squeeze it too hard and the jelly comes out. That is called a Herniated Disc (Slipped Disc, Bulging Disc). When the herniated disc ruptures and pushes out, the nerves may become pinched. When a herniated disc occurs, the space for the nerves is further diminished, and irritation of the nerve results. This irritation of the nerves going down the arms or legs can lead to the characteristic signs of a disc herniation including but not limited to shooting, electrical pain down the arms and legs and numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
When spinal nerves become compressed or pinched, they don’t work properly. This means that abnormal signals may get passed from the pinched nerves, or signals may not get passed at all. Common symptoms of pinched nerves include:
Electric, Stabbing, Shooting or Burning Pain
Tingling & Numbness
Muscle Weakness
Sciatica is pain associated with the sciatic nerve which usually originates higher along the spinal cord when nerve roots become compressed or damaged from narrowing of the vertebral column or from a slipped or herniated disc. Symptoms can include tingling, numbness, or pain, which radiates to the buttocks, legs and feet. Sciatic pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. Some patients describe it as a “hot poker” or a shooting electrical pain in the buttocks and down the leg. Often times the pain will shoot down the leg into the foot and have accompanied numbness and tingling in the leg and foot. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.
Over time, changes can happen to the discs in your spine that can lead to degeneration. With degenerative disc disease (DDD) the discs begin to narrow from loss of water content. The fibres of the disc can tear, allowing disc fluid to bulge or protrude. As the discs lose their ability to absorb shock, the spinal vertebrae will then create more bony projections, called osteophytes.
This condition can happen anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the neck (cervical region) or lower back (lumbar region). Depending on where it is, the disc degeneration can cause nerves to become compressed. This can cause pain, numbness and tingling in the back, neck, or that can travel into the arms or legs. Degenerative Disc Disease can also lead to the development of other conditions, such as Osteoarthritis, Spinal Stenosis or Spondylolisthesis.
Spinal Stenosis or narrowing of the spinal cord canal is a condition that affects many adults after the age of 50. This occurs when the spinal canal, containing the nerve roots and spinal cord becomes constricted or compressed usually by bone spurs or disc bulges. This can lead to compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves resulting in cramping, pain or numbness in the back, legs, and or feet.
At our clinic in Epsom, we use the DOC decompression system, which slowly lengthens and decompresses the spine in a controlled, precise way. The aim is to reduce pressure on the discs and any irritated nerves.
Our digitalised tables provide customised protocols to meet your specific needs and target specific vertebral discs.
Our decompression system can treat patients in a variety of positions improving comfort.
A gentle, drug-free option to discuss as part of your care.
Decompression is combined with chiropractic care and rehabilitation exercises, tailored to you.
You’ve had pain for more than three months
You’ve already seen or are currently seeing a therapist but it’s not helping as much as you’d like
You’ve been advised to consider Spinal injections or Spinal surgery
Your surgery has not been successful
Looking for a second opinion about your spinal concerns
Prior to your first consultation, our receptionist will confirm your scheduled time, provide clear directions, and offer parking details for our car park. We suggest arriving 15 minutes early to complete our health history and medical questionnaires before meeting with our chiropractors. Following this your consultation will include a medical history review, extensive physical examination, orthopaedic testing, digital posture assessment, InBody assessment, Functional Movement Screen, EMG spine scans and if needed digital X-rays. This will form a complete assessment which we call our wellness score.
After your initial consultation, our chiropractor will establish a working diagnosis and determine if we can assist you. If we can, you will attend a second visit, known as our Report Of Findings. Prior to this appointment, our team will thoroughly analyse your case and develop a personalised care plan to achieve your goals and recovery. During your second visit, our chiropractors will review your wellness score, discuss any X-rays taken, and outline the proposed plan of action.
Treatments at Transform Wellness should not be painful or hurt. Chiropractic adjustments should be comfortable. If you are very sensitive we have many techniques available to provide individualised care. Sports massage is thorough and can be tender when receiving due to extreme muscle tension. Our therapists however will adapt their techniques to meet your sensitivity level. Functional rehabilitation should not hurt. Our specialists will guide you with effective exercises to help yourself within your pain threshold.
The price of our initial consultation and report of findings can be found on our fees page. Your treatment plan following the first two visits may vary in price depending on what services are needed to achieve results. As everyone’s goals and challenges are different there is no one set fee for a care plan. Our plans are tailored 100% to your needs! Our gym memberships are also listed on our fees page.
The answer to this question lies within the nature of the complaint, the diagnosis and the goals in hand. If you have had the problem for a long time it generally takes more time to resolve your problem. The severity of the condition is also an important factor that our professionals will advise on. Many people notice changes within the first few months, and your chiropractor will give you a personalised timeframe at your report visit. Our professionals will give you a more accurate personalised timeframe at your report visit.
We ask for 24 hours cancellation if you cannot make an appointment and our team will do our best to re-schedule your appointment. We are very flexible and will endeavour to keep you on your recommended schedule.
Not sure if decompression is right for you? Book a free 10 minute call and we will talk it through. Call us on 01372 745 772 or send us your details below.
