Spinal Decompression Therapy - The Research

Research Articles

Spinal Decompression has been utilised for much longer in the United States, and thus results and research tend to originate from there. While there is some good research emerging to back up the great results reported by hundreds of chiropractors using Spinal Decompression in the USA, more needs to be done. In time, as this treatment becomes more widely used, the body of research will grow in volume and improve in quality.
Below is a sample of research done on the treatment of disc and other degenerative lower back conditions:

Orthopedic Technology Review (2003; 6 (5))

SURGICAL ALTERNATIVES: SPINAL DECOMPRESSION

CONCLUSION: 86% of the 219 patients who completed the therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the 219 patients, and remained intact in 89% of these patients 90 days after treatment. It was shown to be effective for herniated and degenerative discs.

Journal of Neurologic Research (Vol. 29, No. 3, March 2003)

EFFICACY OF VERTEBRAL AXIAL DECOMPRESSION ON CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN.

CONCLUSION: This 144 patient study showed 76% achieved remission of pain. Except in emergent conditions, Vertebral Axial Decompression should be used on all conditions before surgery is undertaken.

US Musculoskeletal Review 2007

“Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings After Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression”, the follow up MRI showed rehydration of the discs at L3/L4, L4/L5, L5/S1 of a herniated disc patient.

American Journal of Pain Management (Vol. 7, No.2, April 1997)

DECOMPRESSION, REDUCTION, AND STABILIZATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE: A COST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT.

CONCLUSION: Eighty six percent of herniated intervertebral disc patients achieved ‘good’ (50-89% improvement) to ‘excellent’ (90-100% improvement) results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain were relieved. Facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ results with decompression.

Disc Distraction Shows Evidence of Regenerative Potential in Degenerated Intervertebral Discs, SPINE 2006

DISC REPAIR FUNDAMENTALLY DEPENDS ON THE STAGE OF DISC DEGENERATION.

CONCLUSION: This study with respect to previous reports, confirms that disc distraction enhances hydration in the degenerated disc and may improve disc nutrition via the vertebral endplates. Thorsten Guehring, MD, et al; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany. SPINE (Vol. 31, Number 15, 2006)

Anesthesiology News, (Vol. 29, No. 3, March 2003)

VERTEBRAL AXIAL DECOMPRESSION REDUCES CHRONIC DISCOGENIC LOW BACK PAIN-4 YEAR STUDY.

CONCLUSION: Four year follow-up after Decompression method shows a sustained 86% reduction in pain and that 91% of patients had resumed their normal activities and has remained pain free.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine February 2008

PROTOCOLS FOR PATIENTS WITH ACTIVITY – LIMITING LOW BACK PAIN

A total of 296 patients with low back pain and evidence of a degenerative and or herniated disc at 1 or more levels were in this study. 8 Week course of treatment consisting of 5, 30 minute sessions of Decompression Therapy per week for 4 weeks and 1, 30 minute session for a week for 4 additional weeks. CONCLUSION: Patients showed continued statistical improvement in both pain scores and functional movement scores after their treatment programs were completed for 180 days post-treatment.

Case Studies

Case studies tend to be viewed as a lower quality form of research, as smaller numbers of cases are involved, and so variability in results is greater. However, the pre- and post- images in these studies afford us the opportunity to see the types of changes in patients who have undergone Spinal Decompression Therapy.

Patient in a wheel chair with severe lower back pain.

This patient had a history of recurrent lower back pain and failed discectomy at L5-S1 from 2 years prior to beginning Spinal Decompression Therapy. She experienced a reduction in pain (initially rated 9 out of 10 severity) and was able to walk normally and return to normal work duties at the conclusion of her treatment. Note the change in severity of the disc herniation at L2/3.

Back pain and sciatica.

This patient experienced a full recovery from all subjective complaints of lower back pain and right sciatica following lumbar decompression therapy using the HillDT table. There was a noticeable change in the lumbar disc height at L4/L5 vertebrae for this patient.

Neck and arm pain and numbness.

This patient reported a complete recovery of all symptoms after 12 weeks of care using the HillDT table. The cervical curve was restored to the normal lordosis correcting the patient’s forward head posture. Also noted is the increase in the C5-C6 disc space between the pre and post x-rays.