Do you suffer with low back pain, neck and carpal tunnel?

Have you been told you need back surgery?

Decompression Therapy is an effective treatment for these conditions. It is very affordable, less expensive than surgery and Dr Douglas Kennedy 's patients have shown great success with the therapy.

You may see below for more information and helpful answers about this non-surgical treatment.

The Decompression-Reduction-Stabilization therapy is an effective treatment for:

• Herniated Disc                                     
• Degenerative Disc
• Facet Syndrome
• Sciatica
• Post-surgical Patients
• Spinal Stenosis

Do you have a herniated disc, multiple herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, or any other type of spinal problem? Is you doctor suggesting surgery, pain management or physical therapy? Have you tried your average chiropractic care from a different chiropractor and just could not get enough relief? Dr. Kennedy is one of the premier chiropractors in Boulder CO that can provide several methods of treatment, one including spinal decompression.

Research indicates the disc is responsible for a significant number of lumbar/leg pain and neck/arm pain syndromes. Compression increase intradiscal pressure leading to annular compromise and possible extrusion of nuclear material.

Since the disc is an avascular structure, it doesn't receive fresh blood and oxygen with every beat of the heart. It requires "diffusion" created by motion and 'decompression' to restore nutrients and enhance healing and has been shown to reduce disc pressure and enhance the healing response even further.

Decompression therapy is done safely within established protocols and a clear understanding of it's limitations by Dr Douglas Kennedy, who is very experienced in the fine details of the procedure and to optimize healing and pain relief in the most effective way. The process often enhances the healing process and can render quick, effective and often amazing pain relief.

Indications and Use

Kennedy Chiropractic 's chiropractor, Dr Douglas Kennedy, examines patients and determines the issues and the severity which will determine the treatment plan, the frequency and the effectiveness of the spinal decompression. 

Our clinical findings suggest Decompression will create a relatively quick initial response. Patients who will do well tend to feel a sense of relief (which can be direct pain cessation or a centralization of pain and/or reduction to an ache or stiffness) within six sessions. Full relief, if attainable through this passive treatment will usually be in 8-12 sessions. (Occasionally a 'stubborn' pain syndrome may continue to improve slowly over 15+ sessions though this is not the norm). Often patients will be treated 4-6 sessions and notice enough relief to allow active rehab to begin. Their Decompression may continue (pre or post rehab depending on the methods chosen) for 4-6 further sessions before discontinuing or reducing the frequency.

Typical frequency can be 3-5 times per week. The extent and seriousness of the symptoms will determine if more than three sessions per week should be utilized. Our experience suggests Decompression is also an excellent supportive or maintenance treatment for those cases where pain relief is marked but prone to exacerbations.

The Triton DTS represents the finest Decompression Traction System available today. Cervical, lumbar, and wrist Decompression Traction can be delivered utilizing the Triton DTS in a controlled and proven method.

Decompression therapy is very affordable and is a more cost effective alternative to patients who have been suggested surgery. In addition, Spinal Traction is highly recommended by Neurological Research. It was found that out of 778 cases of patients receiving spinal decompression 92% said that they showed improvement (Neurological Research; Volume 20, Number 3, April 1998).

The Spinal Decompression table in conjunction with additional chiropractic modalities performed by Dr Douglas Kennedy has shown remarkable results in effectively relieving pain and disability resulting from disc injury and degeneration by repairing damaged discs and reversing dystrophic changes in nerves.

The most recent trial sought to correlate clinical success with MRI evidence of disc repair in the annulus, nucleus, facetjoint and foramina as a result of treatment and found that reduction of disc herniation ranged between 10% and 90% depending on the number of sessions performed, while annulus patching and healing was evident in all cases.

The most recent clinical study of 778 patients has showed that Disc Decompression Therapy was more than 70% successful in the treatment of herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, and sciatica. In this same study, 92% of patients had a reduction in their pain of at least one point on the 0 to 5 scale.

FAQs about Spinal Decompression

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical, comfortable traction therapy for the relief of back and leg pain or neck and arm pain. During this procedure, by cycling through distraction and relaxation phases and by proper positioning, a spinal disc can be isolated and placed under negative pressure, causing a vacuum effect within it.

What can this vacuum effect do?

The vacuum effect accomplishes two things. From a mechanical standpoint, disc material that has protruded or herniated outside the normal confines of the disc can be pulled back within the disc by the vacuum created within the disc. Also, the vacuum within the disc stimulates in growth of blood supply, secondarily stimulating a healing response. This results in pain reduction and proper healing at the injured site.

What machine is used for this purpose?

There are a number of spinal decompression machines presently used in the United States. One of the most commonly Advertised is the DRX9000.  After significant research, North Texas Spinal Health & Wellness has chosen to use the Triton DTS machine manufactured by Chattanooga, Inc., the premier manufacturer of physical therapy machines.  Why the Triton and not the DRX9000?  Simple:  the DRX machine is too simplistic and can't be adapted to a complex case.  Do you want your spinal problem to be "forced into a cookie cutter treatment" when you could have a Customized setup on the Triton?  Probably not!

Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is designed to unload the spinal disc. Any back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched nerves).

Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression is not indicated?

Spinal decompression therapy is usually not recommended for pregnant women, or patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or severe nerve damage. It is not recommended for patients over 70. However, every patient is evaluated on an individual basis. Spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws and metal plates or "cages") is also contraindicated. Surgery to the discs without fusion or fusion using bony replacement is not contraindicated.

How often do I take treatment sessions? How long does each session last?

Each session includes decompression therapy and spinal stabilization exercises and takes about 1 hour. Spinal decompression is usually performed 3-5 times a week for 15-20 sessions.

What are the results of Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Over 70% of patients have good pain relief. This success rate is similar to surgical results.

I have had spinal surgery, but continue to have pain. Can I try Spinal Decompression Therapy?