Internal Disc Decompression (IDD) or Spinal decompression therapy is a chiropractic technique that involves stretching the spine, using a traction table or similar motorised device, with the aim of relieving back pain and/or leg pain. This procedure is the non-surgical decompression therapy (as opposed to surgical spinal decompression, such as laminectomy and microdiscectomy).
Read: What is a laminectomy?
Spinal decompression devices use the same basic principle of spinal traction. Both traction therapy and decompression therapy are applied in order to relieve pain for problems related to vertebral discs, including degenerative problems and hernias.
When is internal disc decompression effective?
- Herniated or Bulging Discs
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Posterior Facet Syndrome
- Sciatica
- Chronic Back Pain
- Chronic Headaches
How does internal disc decompression therapy work?
In non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine stretches and relaxes intermittently in a controlled manner. Spinal decompression seeks, on the one hand, to create a negative intradiscal pressure to promote the retraction or repositioning of the disc material and, on the other, to create a lower pressure on the disc that will cause an influx of healing nutrients and other substances.
During spinal decompression therapy, patients remain dressed and find themselves on a motorized table, the lower half of which can move. A harness is placed around the hips and attached to the lower table near the feet. The upper part of the table remains in a fixed position while the lower part, to which the patient is attached, slides back and forth to provide traction and relaxation.
The patient should not feel pain during or after decompression therapy.
How many sessions are necessary?
We initiate with a trial period of 1-3 treatments in order to check if this innovative method is the right choice for the patient. In most cases, patients respond well and need from 12 to 24 treatment sessions. Each session usually requires between 20 minutes and one hour. This varies from patient to patient. Specialists determine it by pre-treatment evaluation.
Fortunately, many patients achieve immediate relief of their symptoms after just a couple of sessions or even right after the first session. This is not a therapy you have to continue for the rest of your life.
At the London Spine Unit, we have some of the best specialists to perform this procedure. Book an appointment to get a checkup.
When is internal disc decompression effective?
It is effective in cases of herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, sciatica, chronic back pain and also chronic headaches.
How does internal disc decompression work?
In non-surgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine stretches and relaxes intermittently in a controlled manner. Spinal decompression seeks, on the one hand, to create a negative intradiscal pressure to promote the retraction or repositioning of the disc material and, on the other, to create a lower pressure on the disc that will cause an influx of healing nutrients and other substances.
How many sessions are necessary?
We initiate with a trial period of 1-3 treatments in order to check if this innovative method is the right choice for the patient. In most cases, patients respond well and need from 12 to 24 treatment sessions. Each session usually requires between 20 minutes and one hour. This varies from patient to patient. Specialists determine it by pre-treatment evaluation.
Lumbar Spine Fusion for Chronic Low Back Pain due to Degenerative Disc Disease: A Systematic Review.