Spinal Decompression Therapy - Will It Work For Me?

Making sure you are a candidate for Spinal Decompression Therapy.

At Canberra Spine Centre, as well as endeavouring to help you be your best, we also want to make sure we don’t waste your precious time and money. What does that mean? It means before we begin any therapy, we need to carefully diagnose your condition to see if you are a good candidate for Spinal Decompression Therapy, or if you would be better served with another type of therapy.

Diagnosing your condition

On your first visit at Canberra Spine Centre, your chiropractor will perform the following:

• a thorough history to gather all the necessary details.
• Chiropractic examination to assess the motion and function of your spine and nervous system.
• Orthopaedic and neurologic examination (including muscle, skin sensation and reflex testing) to determine the level of function and damage in your spine and associated tissues.
• Posture, balance and range of motion testing to assess the effect of your condition on daily functioning.
• X-rays if required to further assess the condition of your spine and to rule out any contra-indications of factors that would alter your treatment.
• Analysis of any MRI or CT scans.

At the end of this visit, your chiropractor will advise if you are a suitable candidate for Spinal Decompression Therapy. If so, an appointment will be made for your Report of Findings on your second visit.

After careful consideration of all the above findings, your chiropractor will tailor a program of Decompression Therapy. The details of your condition will be explained to you on this visit, and if you choose to proceed, you will receive your first Decompression Treatment.

What are the conditions that can often be helped by Spinal Decompression?

• Bulging or herniated discs of the neck or lower back
• Degenerative joint disease and spondylosis
• Disc degeneration
• Facet syndrome
• Failed back surgery
• Chronic neck or back pain that is not responding to other conservative therapies.

Does Spinal Decompression Therapy help everyone?

Outside of the conditions mentioned above, Spinal Decompression Therapy is probably not the therapy of choice. If this is the case for you, you would be directed by your chiropractor to a more suitable therapy.

While Spinal Decompression Therapy does have an excellent track record for the above-mentioned conditions, that doesn’t mean everyone will be helped. There will always be a small proportion of people receiving this treatment that have a limited response.

At Canberra Spine Centre, not only do we endeavour to rule out the wrong candidates for Spinal Decompression Therapy, but our program of regular measurement and testing ensures that we quickly identify those with limited results and adjust our therapy or refer appropriately.