Spinal Decompression For Sciatica

Radiculopathy, the protruding of a vertebral disc which puts pressure on the nerve root in the lower back, results in what is known as "Sciatica". Sciatica is the pain felt when the sciatic nerve, a nerve fiber which runs through the lower back and down the lower limb, is irritated.

Sciatica is not a medical condition, it is simply a general term that refers to the symptoms of a lower back problem. Therefore, it is not sciatica that should be highlighted during treatment, but the underlying condition which had caused it.

The main cause of sciatica is the formation of herniated discs in the spine. An injury or even sudden twisting movement can cause the nucleus pulposus, the gelatinous part of the vertebral discs, to form a bulge on the disc as it leaks out of the disc and irritates the nerve root on its way out of the spine. Furthermore, vertebral discs weaken over time due to excessive or repetitive stress and also result in leakage.

Signs of sciatica include: pain on either side of the buttocks or leg, which worsens upon sitting and relieved upon lying down, burning or tingling sensation on the leg, and numbness. Sciatica usually gets better gradually over time. However, there have been cases of severe sciatica resulting in the inability to walk or to stand.

A non-surgical, non-invasive, and safe way to relieve pain from sciatica is by spinal decompression therapy. In this method, a machine, the DRX 9000, applies a gentle pulling force that decompress the injured discs by stretching the spine. Slowly and gently, the machine is able to separate the vertebrae of the spine to release pressure until a vacuum is formed. The vacuum, then, works to move the nucleus pulposus back into the disc thereby mending the bulge. The vacuum also allows oxygen and nutrients to move into the injured disc and start the healing process.

Spinal decompression successfully treats chronic back pain as the application of a continuous pulling force that reduces pressure on the discs results in the reduction of pain and other symptoms. A cycle of stretching and relaxation, on the other hand, reduces the chances of having muscle spasms during or after the treatment.