Disc herniation and bulge conditions are no match for spinal decompression.
90% reduction of the bulge has been shown in a couple studies
I’ll keep this non surgical non drug spinal decompression literature review simple. In the text description underneath the study title I will bold a sentence that is the highlight of the article. If that sentence is complicated then I’ll write a brief “translation” and underline it for ease of comprehension.
This weeks review will be about: Disc Herniations and disc bulges are reduced by spinal decompression.
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Yochum, et al.: Treatment of an L5-S1 Extruded Disc Herniation Using a DRX-9000 Spinal Decompression Unit: A Case Report. Chiro Econ, Vol 53:Issue 2.
Spinal Decompression Therapy “…allowed imbibition and complete reduction of the visualized herniation.” “Spinal decompression therapy provided an effective means of treatment for this patient’s symptoms resulting from discal herniation (extrusion) with associated impingement of the adjacent nerve root.” “MR imaging proved to be a useful and non-invasive technique in monitoring the efficacy of decompression therapy as it applies to this case.” “Decompression of the spine proved to be superior to the other forms of conservative care when applied to our patient. The patients’ results were both subjectively favorable and objectively quantified.” Imbibition: a pumping motion that puts fluid in another location and in this case it caused the herniation to be put back in the appropriate place.
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Eyerman, Edward MD. Simple pelvic traction gives inconsistent relief to herniated lumbar disc sufferers. Journal of Nueroimaging. Paper presented to the ASN, Orlando Fl 2.26.98
“An MRI study of 20 patients treated with the decompression table shows up to 90% reduction of subligamentous nucleus herniation. Some rehydration occurred and torn annulus repair is seen in all cases.”
[Tweet “#spinaldecompression table shows up to 90% reduction of #herniation”]
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Onel,D et. al.: CT Investigation of the effects of Traction on Lumbar Herniation. Spine 14: 82-90,1989.
30 patients with lumbar herniations were tractioned in a CT scanner at >50% body weight for -20 min. Hernia retraction occurred in 70% and good clinical improvements were seen in over 93%. The authors concluded improved blood flow was the source of healing. Additionally they speculated previous studies showing traction doesn’t create negative intradiscal pressures perhaps used too light a force.
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tColachis S, Strohm BR: Effects of Intermittent Traction on Vertebral Separation. Arch of Phys Med & Rehab, 50: 251-258,1969.
Subjects were subjected to a supine angled traction force of up to 100 lbs. with x-ray examination. A rope angle of 18 degrees revealed separation greatest at L4-5 (Note: we speculate a more acute angle –10 degrees affords greater separation at LS-S 1). The separation was obvious up to T 12-L 1 with total elongation of the spine approaching +5mm. The vertebra separation is greater on the posterior vs. anterior aspect of the vertebra.
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Mathews, JA: Dynamic Discography: A Study of Lumbar Traction. Annls of Phys Med, IX (7), 265-279, 1968.
3 patients with a ruptured lumbar disc had contrast medium and radiographic images taken during and after a lumbar traction procedure. The protrusions were shown to lessen considerably with the 30 minute prone 1 traction sessions and a dimpling of the outer annulus suggested a negative intradiscal force was created.
[Tweet “The protrusions were shown to lessen considerably with the 30 minute prone “]——–
Chung TS, Lee YJ et al: Reducibility of cervical herniation: evaluation at MRI during cervical traction with a nonmagnetic device. Radiology Dec;225(3):895900,2002.
29 patients and seven healthy volunteers had intermittent traction while in MR. Substantial increase in vertebral length was seen. Full herniation reduction in 3 and partial in 18 was reported.
[Tweet “Full #herniation reduction in 3 patients and partial in 18 was reported”]
