Herniated Discs in Burlington: How Decompression Can Help
Herniated Discs in Burlington: How Decompression Can Help
If you’re dealing with constant back or neck pain, tingling in your arms or legs or sudden weakness, a herniated disc could be the cause. It’s a common issue, but that doesn’t make it any easier to live with.
The good news? You don’t have to jump straight to surgery to start feeling better. At Burlington Spinal Decompression, we help people every day feel better using gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.
In this blog we’ll explain what a herniated disc is, how it affects your body and how spinal decompression in Burlington might be exactly what you need to feel like yourself again.
What’s a Herniated Disc?
Let’s keep it simple. Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae, and between them are soft discs that act like little cushions. They help your spine move smoothly and absorb everyday impact.
A herniated disc happens when the soft center of one of these discs pushes out through a tear in the outer layer. When that happens, it can press on nearby nerves and cause symptoms like:
- Sharp or burning pain in your back,
- Tingling or numbness in your arms or legs,
- Muscle weakness,
- Pain that gets worse when you move, cough or sneeze.
Herniated discs are most common in the lower back and neck, but they can show up anywhere along your spine.
The Common Reasons for a Herniated Disc
Herniated discs don’t always show up because of one big injury. In many cases, they develop gradually over time without you even realizing it. Some of the most common causes include:
- Getting older (this is known as degenerative disc disease),
- Sitting too much or having poor posture,
- Lifting heavy things without proper form,
- Repetitive strain from certain jobs or sports,
- Sudden accidents like slips, falls or twists,
- Among other reasons…
Sometimes, it’s not one big moment, it’s the little things we do every day that add up, especially if your spine isn’t well-supported or aligned.
The Science: Spinal Decompression for Herniated Discs
There’s plenty of research out there on herniated discs, but one study that really stands out comes from the National Library of Medicine.
For example the clinical trial “Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc“ looked at how well nonsurgical spinal decompression works for people with herniated discs in their lower back.
They took 60 patients and split them into two groups. One group received real spinal decompression therapy, while the other got a “fake” version with no actual pulling on the spine. This helped the researchers see whether the therapy truly made a difference and the results were pretty eye-opening.
After two months, the people who got real decompression had less leg pain and better movement than those who didn’t. MRIs even showed their herniated discs had shrunk by nearly 28%, compared to just 7% in the other group. Even more impressive, about 27% of those in the decompression group had their disc size cut in half, while no one in the non-treatment group saw that kind of change.
Overall, the study found that spinal decompression can significantly shrink herniated discs and ease pain, all without needing surgery.
When Should You Be Concerned About a Herniated Disc?
Not every herniated disc needs major treatment, some people don’t even feel any symptoms. But if you’re dealing with ongoing pain, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness, it’s important to get it checked out by an expert such as Dr. Brad Deakin.
If left untreated, a herniated disc can sometimes lead to long-term nerve damage or trouble moving around. The good news is that the sooner you get the right care, the better your chances of healing fully and avoiding surgery altogether.
So, How Does Spinal Decompression Help?
Now for the part you’ve been waiting for, how does spinal decompression help?
Spinal decompression is a simple, non-surgical and drug-free way to gently stretch your spine and take pressure off your discs and nerves. By creating more space between the bones in your spine, it helps bulging or herniated discs move back where they belong.
That said, here’s what it does:
- It takes pressure off pinched nerves.
- It helps discs rehydrate and start healing.
- It boosts blood flow and nutrients to injured areas.
- It supports long-term pain relief and recovery.
The majority of people say the treatment is calming and many feel better after just a few sessions at our clinic.
Why Choose Decompression Instead of Getting Surgery?
Let’s be honest, surgery is a big deal for a lot of people. It comes with risks like anesthesia, a long recovery and no guarantee it will fix the problem. On top of that, many people end up relying on pain meds before and after, which brings its own set of challenges.
That being said, spinal decompression offers a gentler, more natural alternative since it has:
- No surgery or downtime,
- No medications needed,
- Is safe, comfortable and non-invasive,
- Is backed by science and real-world results,
- Often helps with herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc issues and more…
The Frequently Asked Questions About Decompression
You may still have some questions about spinal decompression, so here are some of the common ones we get at our clinic in Burlington:
Q: How can I find out whether I have a herniated disc?
A: Common symptoms include acute back or neck pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities and muscle weakness. That said, we provide assessments to assist in pinpointing the source of your pain.
Q. Is spinal decompression safe?
A: Yes, it’s a gentle, FDA-approved treatment. The majority of people find it comfortable and even soothing.
Q: How long does the treatment actually take?
A: Each session usually lasts approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Most people require a series of treatments over several weeks, depending on the severity of their disease.
Q: Do I need a referral to get a session?
A: No you don’t! You can schedule a consultation with us directly, no doctor’s note required.
Our Experts at Burlington Spinal Decompression Are Here to Help
Dealing with a herniated disc and want to avoid surgery? At Burlington Spinal Decompression, we offer gentle, proven treatments that help your body heal naturally. Call us or fill out our contact form to book your consultation.