Spinal Decompression
Effective | Non-Surgical | Narcotic Free
Spinal Decompression at Olympic Spine & Sports Therapy
Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is used to reduce compression and pain caused by disc and joint disorders. For many patients it offers a safe, narcotic free, and non-surgical solution to chronic spinal conditions.
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is administered using a sophisticated FDA-cleared machine that gently stretches the spine and decompresses the discs. Unlike traction devices, spinal decompression machines are able to sense your muscles’ resistance to the pulling forces and are able to reduce and then cycle the stretch so that your body does not resist the tension. Amazingly the spinal decompression machine is able to do this with little to no discomfort to the patient. This is because of the machines ability to comfortably remove the pressure on discs so they’re able to heal. A key factor in non-surgical decompression therapy is the slow, controlled stretching. This creates a vacuum that naturally draws bulging disc material back into place, reducing pain and allowing the disc to heal.
Conditions non-surgical spinal decompression has helped:
- Herniated Discs
- Degenerative Discs
- Back or Neck Pain
- Failed Back Surgery
- Sciatica
- Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Arm/Leg Numbness or Pain
Dr. Shelley explains how decompression works to relieve chronic pain.
What Causes Disc Problems?
As you may already know, the most likely cause of your pain is nerve pressure caused by bulging or ruptured intervertebral disc tissue. In case you do not know, the intervertebral disc is the cushion-like material that sits in between the vertebrae. The discs in your back keep the bones from rubbing together and give you the necessary flexibility to safely move your back. When the discs are injured or degenerate, lingering pain and impaired movement usually occur.
As you can see in the picture above, the ruptured disc material is pushing against a nerve which in most cases causes a great deal of pain. The critical thing to understand here is that disc tissue is one of the slowest healing tissues in the body and as a result, in most cases, if a disc problem goes untreated it is more likely to get worse, not better.
Due to normal everyday life, a typical disc injury or degenerated disc is constantly aggravated and made worse due to regular movement and the weight of the body pressing downward on the disc. As a result, the disc rarely is able to heal completely on its own. It is lot like what happens if someone breaks their foot and continues to walk on it—it never gets a chance to heal.
If you were to break your foot, you could easily have it put in a cast and stay of it by using crutches. Eventually your foot would heal. Unfortunately it is impossible to stop using your back or neck. Even if you are on bed rest, you are still using your back just by lying on it. Worse yet, you are allowing the back muscles to get weak which makes it easier to re-injure yourself when you finally do get out of bed. In order for your disc to heal optimally, pressure must be taken off of your spine – which is a very difficult thing to achieve considering gravity is constantly putting pressure on your discs every day of your life.
Considering how hard it is to take pressure off a disc to allow it to heal, it is no wonder there are so few effective options in permanently curing back and neck pain.
Are You a Candidate For Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?
To find out if you are a candidate for Spinal Decompression, first, we have to accurately diagnose your condition. This starts with a thorough evaluation of your medical history, and a focused orthopedic, chiropractic, and neurological examination. If additional testing such as x-rays, MRI/CT, or electrical diagnostic evaluation is indicated, they would be ordered. Once all of the necessary information is obtained, the doctor will meet with you to review the findings, diagnosis, and treatment options.
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“This place is amazing! It has absolutely changed my life!”
“I had what I called “back attacks” twice a year that would send me to the hospital. They sent me home with pain killers. In 2012 I had a “back attack” that kept me out of work for one month.”
“I came to Olympic Spine and Sports Therapy and I started to feel relief after my very first decompression treatment. I don’t think about my pain anymore. I can do laundry all day and not be wiped out. Before I would do one load and then I was down for the rest of the day. I’m thinking about doing yard work, I thought that I was done with that before my treatment at Olympic Spine and Sports Therapy.”
– Patty B., Everett
“Without the help of Olympic Spine, I wouldn’t have the quality of life I am now enjoying!”
“About a year and a half ago, I extruded the discs in my L5 and S1-S2 vertebrae. The pain was unbearable! I had shooting pain down my left leg through my glute and down my calf.”
“Dr. Shelley offered non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. The treatment plan was a big commitment and more involved than surgery but would benefit me more in the long run. I continue to come here a year and a half later because I feel how much of a difference it makes in my life and helping my back stay strong! I do believe that without the help of Olympic Spine I would not have the quality of life that I am now able to enjoy!”
– Carson K., Lynnwood
“I no longer have the sharp pain in my lower back and legs”
“For the past couple of years, I’ve had pain and numbness in my right leg that made it difficult to walk. To relieve the pain, I tried massage therapy, heat and ice. After six treatments, I began to feel better.”
“I no longer have the sharp pain in my lower back and legs. Now that I’m not in pain, I can do yard work again, rake my leaves and mow my lawn. I’ve had good success with the combination of chiropractic and decompression therapy.”
– Leroy K., Shoreline
“I never could have done it without Dr. Shelley and his team”
“I was in two automobile accidents in 2014. My main symptoms were shoulder, neck, lower back and hip pain. Sometimes the pain was so sharp and intense, I couldn’t get out of bed. I felt hopeless. My life consisted of pain and depression to the point where I could no longer sleep.”
“Luckily, I found an advertisement about Dr. Shelley and decompression therapy in the Seattle Times. I knew the minute I walked into the office that this was where I wanted to be. I rode three different buses, and it took me over 2 hours just to get to Olympic Spine. My life has changed drastically for the better. It is wonderful to be able to get a decent night’s sleep, wake with minimal pain, and be able to function normally! I never could have done it without Dr. Shelley and his team. They are all medical miracle workers! Thank you all for your positive support!”
– Dana K., Seattle
“Decompression and laser helped relieve my pain!”
“Over the past 14 years, I acquired multiple stress fractures in my spine. The pain was awful! I couldn’t go on walks, lift anything, or do any household chores. I tried at least half a dozen treatments before coming to Olympic. After getting treatment here, I can do things I never imagined I would be able to do! I am now able to do things around the house, walking is more comfortable, and I can exercise. Decompression and laser helped relieve my pain. Treatment here felt personalized to me and helped me get better.”
– Laurey M., Edmonds