Spinal Decompression Therapy in Clearwater, FL

Looking for permanent relief from lower back pain? Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure for alleviating pressure on pinched nerves caused by herniated, bulging, or degenerated discs.

Family Life Chiropractic provides spinal decompression therapy in Clearwater, FL. Find out how our process works and whether spinal decompression is a treatment option for you.

Spinal decompression therapy is a breakthrough in non-invasive back pain relief and is effective in treating conditions doctors normally prescribe medication or back surgery for.

Decompression therapy is a highly developed technology to apply distraction force to relieve nerve compression often associated with low back pain and sciatica. This process shifts the force and position of the spine, which takes pressure off of the spinal discs. Herniated or bulging discs then contract, transporting water and oxygen into the spinal discs so they can properly heal.

Non Surgical Spinal Decompression is an alternative treatment option that could permanently eliminate your back pain.

What Conditions Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Treat?

Dr. Jere has seen over a 90% success rate in treating the following conditions with spinal decompression therapy:

• Herniated Discs
• Bulging Discs
• Degenerative Discs
• Slipped Discs
• Ruptured Discs
• Disc Protrusions
• Annular Tears
• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
• Posterior Facet Syndrome

Conditions, such as sciatica and pinched nerves, can benefit from spinal decompression if they’re not responsive to chiropractic treatment.

Chronic lower back pain from other causes and degenerative arthritis may also be treated with a combination of spinal decompression therapy and/or chiropractic treatment.

Who Is Not a Candidate for Spinal Decompression?

Patients that have recently undergone back surgery or spinal fusion are not candidates for non-surgical spinal decompression.

Spinal decompression therapy also isn’t an option for patients with long-term conditions, including:

• Spinal fracture
• Metal implants in the spine
• Advanced osteoporosis

Severe disc problems, such as disc fragments and extruded discs can sometimes be helped with spinal decompression therapy, depending on the severity of the condition.

What Is a Herniated or Bulging Disc?

When too much pressure is placed on a spinal disc, the outside can tear and cause the soft tissue to squirt out. This is what your doctor is referring to when they say you have a herniated, bulging, ruptured, or slipped disc.

The spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, each of which protects the nerves that stretch from your brain down to the rest of your body. Discs, which are made up of soft tissue, are located between the vertebrae to provide padding for the nerves. These discs allow you to comfortably move. Without discs, your body weight would push the vertebrae together and squeeze your nerves.

Many of the nerves in your lower back plunge down your legs, which is why back problems are typically accompanied by leg pain.

How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses precision instruments to pinpoint the exact areas of the spine to decompress. A vacuum, or suction, is formed on the disc which allows blood to flow in and deliver nutrients to heal the disc.

Spinal decompression therapy is completely safe and tested! And it’s the only non-surgical method proven to treat disc problems.

Spinal Decompression Therapy in Clearwater: How Our Process Works

Dr. Jere’s effective approach to spinal decompression therapy sees a 90+% success rate in qualified candidates. Here’s how his process works:

• Decompression table – The patient is fitted with a pelvic harness while laying face-up on our decompression table. Our spinal decompression software calculates and adjusts the amount of pressure applied to the back and trunk muscles.
• Consistent treatment – Each spinal decompression session is about an hour in duration which includes laser therapy and circulation therapy. Most patients do spinal decompression therapy four days a week, for five to six weeks.
• Maintenance & complementary treatments – As an expert in nutrition counseling, Dr. Jere also complements spinal decompression therapy with essential nutrition counseling, as well as an exercise program.

How Much Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Cost?

The cost of spinal decompression therapy varies, however, it’s much more affordable than its surgical counterpart. Spinal decompression therapy is only 5-10% of the cost of back surgery, making it a much more affordable option.

If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, Family Life Chiropractic offers several payment plan options. Feel free to contact our Clearwater chiropractic office at any time to set up a consultation with our chiropractor.

Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Back Surgery

Back surgery to treat compressed discs is invasive and typically results in a long recovery time of up to six weeks or longer. For this reason, spinal surgery is seen as a last resort after alternative treatments have failed, or if no other options are available.

The majority of spinal surgical procedures are directed towards removing the discs in your spine rather than adjusting them to reduce pressure. Surgical treatment may be an effective option in severe cases of nerve compression, although there are some risks associated with it, such as damage to the spinal cord, infection, and blood clots.

Laser Spinal Decompression

Laser spinal decompression is less invasive than back surgery. It uses a slender instrument, called an endoscope, to see the inside of the body. While laser spinal decompression has better results than spinal surgery, it still requires anesthesia and IV sedation, and can be expensive

Non-Surgical Alternatives to Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression therapy pioneered non-surgical decompression. To this day, it’s still the only non-invasive treatment that has been proven through clinical research to effectively decompress the discs.

However, other non-surgical alternatives to spinal decompression therapy exist, including:

• Epidural steroid injections – Epidural steroid injections are commonly used in regular clinical practice. They help reduce tissue inflammation and provide short-term pain relief for patients with acute, radicular lower back pain. However, studies don’t show long-term benefits.
• Traction treatment – A traction device is similar to spinal decompression therapy, as it also uses a table that has tools to help stretch your spine. However, instead of relying on advanced computer software to create proper alignment, a physical therapist uses a combination of slings and ropes to stretch your spine. While traction devices stretch the lower back, they haven’t demonstrated the ability to decompress the lumbar discs or spinal nerves.
• Lumbar support belts – Multiple studies show that back belts do not benefit patients, with or without injuries, regardless of the length of wearing them.
• Conservative treatments – Doctors will first recommend conservative treatment such as rest, heat, exercises, and medications. For some, herniated or bulging discs will heal on their own, although spinal decompression therapy will speed up the healing process.
• Exercise – Studies show exercise as the sole therapy for acute low back pain is ineffective. However, specific exercises done in conjunction with spinal decompression therapy help increase the efficacy of treatment.

Spinal Decompression Therapy in Clearwater, FL

Want to know if spinal decompression therapy is right for you? With 40 years of experience, Family Life Chiropractic is one of the top spinal decompression therapy providers in the Clearwater area.

For more information, call 727-447-4647 or contact us today!