Sciatica is one of the most common causes of lower back and buttocks pain, affecting up to 40% of Americans at some time during their lives.
The condition, which occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed, often improves on its own, but in some cases can significantly affect mobility and quality of life.
In these situations, non-surgical spinal decompression is usually recommended to relieve pressure and reduce pain.
Expert physicians Dr. Jonathan Singer and Jacqueline Woodrum, DO, at HealthFirst, proudly provide non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.
Read on to learn what spinal decompression is, how it helps manage sciatica, and what to expect during treatment.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is an outpatient procedure that gently stretches your spine, increasing the space between your vertebrae (back bones).
It eases pressure on pinched or compressed nerves and improves circulation, making it an excellent treatment option for those suffering from sciatica.
We have spinal decompression tables at both of our practice locations. These specialized devices allow us to adjust the amount of pull and the traction angle, letting us customize treatment specifically to your symptoms and needs.
Some of the most common causes of sciatica are spinal stenosis (an age-related narrowing of the spine) and herniated discs, which can bulge outward and place pressure on the sciatic nerve. Spinal decompression increases the space in these areas, which can help relieve the pain and pressure they cause.
Many sciatica patients who undergo this treatment report less pain, improved mobility, and reduced inflammation. This lets them return to work, exercise, and other daily activities without surgery or prescription painkillers, which can have various side effects.
Non-surgical spinal decompression usually takes 30-45 minutes per session. For optimal results, it requires several weekly sessions over the course of a month.
Before treatment begins, you lie on a special table with straps and a harness that we apply to your pelvis, abdomen, and chest. After positioning and adjusting the straps and harness to fit your body, we use a computer to control the pull and traction.
The system also monitors your treatment time.
Once the therapy begins, all you need to do is lie still. The table, straps, and harness work together to gently pull and stretch your spine, increasing circulation to your sciatic nerve and taking pressure off it.
We observe you throughout the entire session, making adjustments as necessary. Once treatment is finished, we remove the harness and straps and provide recovery instructions.
It’s normal to experience mild soreness after each decompression treatment, but this typically improves within a day or two. We also recommend light stretches and daily exercises you can do at home to complement decompression therapy.
Some people say they notice sciatica relief after just one treatment, but it often takes a series of treatments for noticeable results. Following our instructions and attending each of your scheduled appointments helps improve outcomes.
If you have lower back, leg, or buttocks pain due to sciatica, non-surgical spinal decompression may be able to provide long-term relief.
Contact the nearest HealthFirst office in Greenwood Village, Colorado, or Cheyenne, Wyoming, today to schedule an appointment with our caring team.
