Your spine is an engineering marvel — it can bend, twist, and torque all while housing and protecting your central nervous system. However, if any part of your spinal anatomy changes, the already tight space gets even smaller, and the countless nerves running in and out of your spinal column often get pinched by bulging discs, herniated discs, and stenosis.
If this has happened to you, you know the symptoms: sharp pain, dull aches, weakness, numbness, and tingling. Depending on what’s causing the compression on your nerves, you may have been told you need surgery to relieve the pressure.
But Dr. Dana Robinson at Peninsula RSI Chiropractic Wellness Center in Redwood City, California, has had great success with a nonsurgical treatment called spinal decompression. Before you commit to surgery, take a look at this effective, noninvasive treatment to find out if it’s right for you.
Spinal anatomy and pinched nerves
Your spinal column is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one another. Physicians categorize your spine into three main sections: cervical (neck), thoracic (middle), and lumbar (lower back).
Between each bony vertebra, you have cushiony discs to absorb shock and prevent the bones from rubbing together. The discs have a fibrous outer shell called the annulus and a gel-like inner portion called the nucleus. Every time you bend and twist, the discs offer a bouncy, spring-like motion that helps you move the way you want to without damaging the bones or the delicate nerves.
Each vertebra has an opening that forms the spinal canal just behind the discs. This hollow tunnel provides a safe space for your spinal cord and your nerve roots regardless of how you move your spine.
Pinched nerves occur whenever a vertebral disc becomes damaged or displaced, crowds the spinal canal, and pushes against or compresses a nerve.
Conditions that cause pinched nerves
In a healthy spine, nerves branch off from the nerve roots within the protective spinal canal, and they extend freely out to the rest of your body. The space in the spinal canal is narrow, but the design is precise, and many people live long lives without ever experiencing the pain of a pinched nerve.
The most common culprits of a pinched nerve is:
- Rheumatoid or osteoarthritis
- Acute injury
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Bone spurs
Most often these can be helped with chiropractic adjustments and myofascial release therapy, however, some need additional specialized treatments to help remove the pain associated with a pinched nerve.
If there are disc problems then this can lead to a pinched nerve, including:
- Degenerative disc disease: loss of disc height
- Bulging disc: nucleus pushes against the annulus wall and causes it to protrude
- Herniated disc: nucleus leaks out through a breach in the annulus
- Stenosis: structures in the spine are taking up space and putting pressure on the nerve
These four common conditions are ideal candidates for spinal decompression therapy.
DRX9000® spinal disc decompression
Dr. Robinson uses the DRX9000 Decompression Machine to alleviate the pressure on your pinched nerves and facilitate healing without surgery or drugs.
While you lie comfortably on the table, the DRX9000 targets the precise disc level and adjusts itself 13 times per second, using a logarithmic curve to gently pull your affected vertebrae away from one another. This creates space that allows your degenerated disc to receive much-needed nutrients and fluids that promote healing and regeneration.
For bulging and herniated discs, the DRX9000 creates negative pressure inside the disc, which pulls it back to the center, relieving pressure, pain, and sciatica. Studies show that the DRX9000 can offer significant relief by increasing the height of your degenerated discs and facilitating an environment where damaged discs can repair and regenerate.
If you have neck pain or lower back pain because of a pinched nerve, you may be a good candidate for DRX9000 spinal decompression. To find out, schedule a consultation with Dr. Robinson by calling our office or booking online today.