What Are the Contraindications for Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Contraindications to Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a revolutionary treatment involving intermittent traction which can help relieve, back pain, neck pain, arm and leg pain. Developed in the 1990's, it has grown tremendously in popularity as more and more patients realize the benefits of pain relief and surgery avoidance. It is highly effective (over 80%), low cost (less than 5% the cost of surgery), FDA cleared, and very safe with an extremely low risk profile.

There are some patients who are not candidates for spinal decompression however. Patients with chronic back pain or chronic neck pain who have sciatica or radiculopathy may benefit tremendously. Common problems that benefit include lumbar disc herniation, cervical disc herniation, facet syndrome, failed spine surgery, ruptured discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and spinal stenosis.

Spinal decompression therapy has saved many people from spinal surgery. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, surgery is no more effective than non-invasive treatments, including chiropractic care, for patients with lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica.

However, if a patient has had a previous spinal fusion with instrumentation then spinal decompression is contraindicated. The key here is instrumentation. Spinal fusions without instrumentation are okay for the treatment. The concern is the unlikely event that the instrumentation may shift. For instance if a patient had a neck fusion with a plate the end result is typically no more radiculopathy and a solid fusion. However, at times the end result is no pain even though the fusion did not occur and the instrumentation is holding the bones together. The intermittent traction from the neck decompression, even though slight, could cause a screw to shift and the plate to move.

Another contraindication is pregnancy. Back pain and sciatica are very common during pregnancy. Chiropractic treatment and massage can be very helpful if done safely during pregnancy for back pain. Spinal decompression involves slight intermittent traction and there is a need to put a harness over the pelvis and abdomen region. In order to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, the harness is secured snugly and therefore in pregnant women the treatment is not allowed because of the resultant pressure on the uterus.

Patients with significant spinal osteoporosis should not undergo lumbar decompression or cervical decompression. Since there is a baseline increased risk of vertebral compression fractures from the decreased bone density, spinal decompression may add to that risk. Patients who have severe osteoporosis may sustain fractures from simply getting up out of a chair or out of bed or sneezing. Patients with osteopenia, which is a slight decrease in bone density less severe than osteoporosis, are okay for neck decompression or back decompression in that regard.

These conditions are not indicated for spinal decompression. A comprehensive pain management center will have other options for pain relief in those patients which may include pain medications, interventional pain management, physical therapy, chiropractor treatment, acupuncture, or massage.

Avoid Back Injury While Shoveling Snow

There's a greater chance of injuring your back while shoveling snow than there is while raking leaves. There are several reasons for this - one of which is the weight of the snow that you are trying to move. Fresh snow is always lighter than snow that has been sitting on the ground where it compacts and becomes more dense. One shovelful can weigh as much as 20 pounds, possibly more. In areas that are famous for 'champagne powder' snow, like Colorado, the first day after a snowfall usually finds the fluffy stuff still light and easy to push - rather than shovel. A shovel designed for pushing this lighter snow makes the job much easier. 

If you lift an average shovel, loaded with 16 pounds of snow, about 12 times a minute, you will have moved 192 pounds of snow! If you keep this up, in about 10 minutes, you will have lifted almost 2000 pounds of snow! Is it any wonder shoveling snow can lead to back strains and sprains? 

According to the US Consumer Products Safety Commission in 2006, more than 31,000 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms or doctor's offices and clinics for injuries that happened while shoveling snow or removing ice manually. In a study published by Brad Coffiner of Cornell University, the ergonomic department said "when handling heavy snow with a shovel, the L5/S1 disc has been identified as the weakest link in the body segment chain. The most severe injuries and pain are likely to occur in the back region." 

When you bend forward to scoop the snow onto the shovel, your center of gravity changes and it is easy to strain the low back muscles, especially the quadratus lumborum, a muscle which helps hold the body upright. This lumbar muscle can become very sore and painful after periods of bending at the waist and lifting. This muscle can be strengthened and trained for lifting by regular exercise but, unless that has been already done, get a shovel that does not make you bend down. 

When you lift snow and then rotate to dump it, you place a strain on the discs which are between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers, cushioning them. Lifting and twisting can cause the vertebrae to slip out of position, possible herniate, which causes pressure on the nearby nerve roots or spinal cord. This injury can be avoided by turning your entire body and facing the spot where you want to dump the snow.  

Another less common injury, known as a clay shoveler's fracture, occurs when the snow is wet and sticks to the shovel when you try to throw it up and backward over your head or shoulder. The shear force of the muscles can actually break the tip off a vertebra causing severe burning pain, usually between the shoulder blades. This injury can be avoided by carrying the snow to the dumping place and avoiding twisting your body as you drop it. Remember, when carrying snow, do not hold the shovel out from your body because this puts too much weight on your spine. 

When selecting a shovel, go for the lighter weight, plastic model instead of a heavier metal one. When using the old fashioned, flatter shovel, you have to bend down, scoop up the snow, lift it, and throw it out of the way. Doing this puts your lower back into several positions prone to injury. An ergonomically correct shovel has a curve in the handle and is designed to reduce or eliminate bending and decrease lifting. 

Before Starting To Shovel, Warm Up By:

• Running in place while inside


• Go up and down stairs several times.


• Stretching the muscles of your arms and back. 

While Shoveling:

• Maintain good posture


• Don't twist and rotate your back


• Bend at the knees when lifting 

Snow shoveling is a heavy task that can be handled if you maintain good posture and practice the basics of back safety. 

Consider Spinal Decompression Therapy Instead of Lower Back Surgery

While back surgery is often recommended for people suffering from severe instances of back pain, there are far too many people whose surgery fails to bring them lasting relief from discomfort. This not altogether rare occurrence is referred to as failed back surgery syndrome. For people who were suffering with herniated discs, sciatica, or other injuries to their spines, a failure of surgery to produce long-term relief from pain can be very difficult to deal with.

Unfortunately, herniated discs are not easy to repair, and surgery may not result in as positive outcome for patients. Back surgery can also cause complications with the bad disc or new discs. As well, back injuries themselves can last far longer than the 6-12 weeks that make up many disability and rehabilitation guidelines. A severe injury of a disc or other tissues of the lower back -- especially ligaments -- can take years to recover from until the pain is finally gone or significantly reduced.

When surgery fails, patients are often recommended a number of movements to practice, exercises to complete, physical therapists to consult with, and other pain management protocols. Typically, if back surgery fails to facilitate healing from an injury, a second surgical procedure is not done. If the original procedure was not successful, less invasive treatments are used in the hopes of addressing different but related issues causing or exacerbating the pain.

For some patients, though, spinal decompression should be considered as a treatment for lower back pain. This is an alternative form of back injury treatment and works on the discs and vertebrae of the spine to reduce compressive loads on the tissues. A machine, the DRX9000, is used to decompress the tissues through the use of traction. As the joints are decompressed, circulation of oxygen and nutrients are able to reach the injured tissues and begin the healing process in the body. There is often less circulation to the discs and ligaments of the spine, so a procedure like spinal decompression that helps to drive nutrients to the injured areas can help promote healing.

The main benefit of spinal decompression therapy is that it is noninvasive and does not require any type of surgical incisions or even a trip to the hospital. Many chiropractors and clinics have their own DRX9000 machines and can do the procedure in-house. This makes the treatment more timely and more convenient for a large number of people who are unsure about having back surgery or need relief faster than a hospital may be able to schedule.

Also, spinal decompression has thus far proven to be safe and effective relative to lower back surgeries. People who undergo the treatment report less pain than they had before the procedure. This is important because the true test of any lower back rehabilitation is to reduce or eliminate pain in the area when stationary and when moving. If spinal decompression can lead to fewer instances of painful movement in clients, it can be included in the patient's rehabilitation program.

Ignoring Back Pain Can Lead to Serious Problems

Many people have felt soreness in their back after doing exercise or prolonged manual labor. It is a common feeling to be a little stiff after strenuous activity, especially in the lower back region of the spine. For most people, the soreness and stiffness goes away over time, usually within a day or so. But for some, the pain in the back lingers, becoming more and more of a nuisance, hindering their ability to comfortably perform everyday tasks.

Spinal injuries can be very serious, and without proper attention can lead to lifelong problems including limited mobility and constant pain. It is very important for anyone experience prolonged back pain to seek help from a doctor specializing in spinal issues. Trying to live through the pain can cause irreversible damage to spinal discs, causing them to rupture or to become herniated.

Depending on the type of spinal injury, the doctor may recommend any number of treatments geared toward alleviating back pain and allowing the patient to live a normal, mobile life. One way to treat and prevent back pain and spinal injury is weight resistance training. Exercises such as dead lifts, squats, leg presses and cable rows (among others that utilize the back muscles and spine) can have a significant impact on the health and strength of a person's back. It is important, however, to perform these exercises correctly and under supervision from a spinal doctor or strength training professional or else the patient can cause even more damage to the spinal region. The spine should remain straight during all exercises as to not put excess stress on the spine, which could lead to a more serious back injury.

Other options for treating back pain may include something as simple as taking anti-inflammatory medication or the use of a heating pad. However, this is usually just the first step to treating back pain. If the pain persists for more than a few days, it is imperative that the individual consults a spinal physician. Physical therapy, steroid injections, muscle relaxants, chiropractic treatment, spinal decompression and an MRI may be recommended. In severe cases, though, surgery is the only option to repair a damaged disc or spinal problem.

Spinal surgery includes the removal of the damaged portion of the disc, which reduces the pressure on the nerves. If the patient has a degenerative condition such as Spondylolisthesis, spinal fusion surgery can be done to fuse vertebrae together in order to prevent slippage. The recovery time of most spinal surgeries can be long and painful, but when compared to living with a lifetime of pain, can be the best option.

Living with constant back pain can be a great burden on an individual. Ignoring the signs of a more serious spinal problem can lead to even greater pain and irreversible damage, including paralysis. Consult a spinal surgeon or physician specializing in matters of the spine and back if you experience prolonged pain and a limited range of motion. Don't ignore the signs of a potentially dangerous and life-altering spinal disorder.

Inversion Boards - 3 Fears Preventing You From Using A Gravity Inversion Table

Inversion boards, once highly popular in the 1980's and then nearly disappearing from the health and fitness scene in the subsequent decades, are gaining popularity today at a rapid pace as inversion therapy devices.

The medical community that is still divided in their opinion whether inversion boards and similar inversion equipment will provide benefit when it comes to back or neck pain.

However, the testimonials of hundreds of people who have used inversion boards, gravity inversion table, or similar inversion systems, are highly positive of the benefits of inverting your body and experience spinal decompression, as well as induce a completely unusual muscle tension in your back muscles.

People have reported reduction or disappearance of back pain, stress relief, cessation of joints popping, and of course the common benefits of exercise, such as increased abdominal muscles (six pack abs), improved posture, and more.

If the thought of being inverted is inducing fear in you, you are not alone. We will touch on three common fears that are actually preventing people with back pain, or other ailments, from using an inversion board and from giving themselves a chance at feeling better temporarily or even healing completely.

When you are done reading, even if you still won't be ready to get on an inversion board, you at least will know what fear is stopping you from getting the benefits! The three fears are: The fear of falling down, the fear of getting dizzy, and the fear of the inversion not working for you. Let's see how you can conquer these.

Fear of falling down

This fear probably comes from the fact that, when inverted and locked in the position at your ankles, you don't really have that much control over your motions, and, on top of that, you are hanging freely in the air. That fear is to some extent justified as some gravity inversion table manufacturers even quite recently had to recall their tables due to manufacturing failure that caused falls and injuries in several people.

To conquer this fear, you need to make sure that you are purchasing the inversion board from a reputable manufacturer with good feedback on specialized online sites. Also, when you receive the board, test visually the components and contact the company if you could not completely follow the assembly directions in the assembly manual.

When getting on the table, always start with the minimal, 15 to 30 degree inversion, and only increase it as you continue your inspections and as you feel better about your new inversion exercise.

Fear of getting dizzy

Some people feel that they might get dizzy when in an inverted position, or they feel that inversion will in some other way interfere with their health. It is quite possible, in fact, using the inversion system is contra indicated for a dozen or so of the medical conditions. So if you have a medical condition, you absolutely want to consult with a medical doctor before climbing on to an inversion table.

Will the gravity inversion table work for me?

That, of course, is an universal fear before any purchase that feels like it can not be reversed. First, check the conditions for the return of the inversion bench. Second, while it is impossible to tell for sure that the gravity inversion table will work for you, it is quite certain that it won't work for you if you don't try it, and if you don't follow the regimen of daily or regular use. It is one of those cases of "you pays your money and you takes your chances". Is reducing your back pain worth taking a chance?

What Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Do For Those With Neck And Back Pain?

When you're suffering from back pain or neck pain, there is nothing more important than finding relief. When your pain begins to affect your ability to do the things in life that are most important to you, it should not be ignored.

What's most important to you? Is it playing with your kids, running around with your dog? How about your hobbies such as working on your car or recreational activities? When you are not able to accomplish these activities or able to work from back or neck pain, then nothing is more important than finding pain relief.

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical, non-invasive treatment for neck and back pain that is extremely safe and effective. It has helped many thousands of patients get relief from neck and back pain and get back to an active and pain free life.

It is a very comfortable and relaxing experience which can help patients improve their quality of lives, get back to work, and basically get back to an active and pain free life.

Spinal Decompression Therapy treats the source of your back pain. During treatment, the patient reclines in a comfortable position and a gentle pull works in an effort to relieve pressure between the spinal discs and allows the back to begin a natural healing process.

Spinal decompression works well for herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, failed back surgery, facet syndrome, and spinal stenosis. The treatment can actually decrease the size of a herniated disc almost to nothing and it can be seen on an MRI. Decompression restores disc height which increases hydration, allowing more oxygen to come into that disc.

Preliminary data exists showing the increased disc height and pain reduction from spinal decompression treatments. The difference between traditional physical therapy and spinal decompression is that decompression actually addresses the core of the problem and actually fixes the pathology that is happening in the area of the pain.

Best Exercises to Increase Height

Being tall adds to the personality of a person. People have been experimenting with different things like food, diet, exercises etc to increase their height.

People are becoming more aware of the effect on their personality by increasing their height. However before deciding on the exercises it is necessary to consult a doctor. Do not decide on your own.

There are different types of exercises but those exercises which will have an impact on the back are very effective. The spine has a lot of growth potential. So it will be effective if you concentrate on such parts.

However one should understand that factors determining an increase in height are age of a person and their family background.

Here are two exercises that will be beneficial for the spine.

Double Bend Forward: This creates resistance on the back and the hamstrings. This will further pull the spine and will cause the whole spinal column to stretch, thereby accelerating decompression. This will help in increasing one's height.

First, sit on floor. The legs have to be stretched out. The hands should be on the hips. Stretch out your arms. Now bend forward like you are trying to touch your toes.

Initially you may find it difficult to touch your toes but after practising for a few days you will be able to do this. This is because your body will have become more flexible.

Repeat the move for about five times with the help of both your hands and spread your feet a few inches apart.

Now stretch by using one hand each time and touch the right foot using the left hand. Then touch the left foot using the right hand.

The increase in flexibility will help in increasing your height.

Backward Bend: This is also referred to as "Roll Over Stretch". Through this the spine is forced to attain the maximum possible curvature which will free cartilage so that it begins thickening. This exercise will be helpful in increasing one's height.

Lay in your back on a flat surface with your arms extended towards the feet. Your palms should be on the floor. Keep your feet together while you raise your legs over your head.

Your aim should be to touch the surface behind your head with the help of your toes. Now push away from the floor using your palms so that you are able to lift your legs over your head.

Also you can raise your hips from the floor. Now come back to the starting position. Repeat.