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Spinal Decompression

WHAT IS SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy produces the forces and positions required to cause decompression of the intervertebral discs.  During therapy, the machine isolates the patient's spine, either in the neck or lower back, and gently stretches the vertebrae surrounding the injured tissue.  The repeated stretching lowers the pressure in the disc, creating a vacuum.  The process causes herniated or bulged portions of a disc to retract, and the vacuum allows the disc to receive water, blood and nutrients causing it to heal naturally. 

WHAT CONDITIONS ARE TREATED WITH SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?

Conditions that may be treated with non-surgical spinal decompression at Advanced Spinal Care of Lakeland include the following:

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Herniated Discs
  • Protruding Discs
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Posterior Facet Syndrome
  • Sciatica

AM I A CANDIDATE FOR SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?

Not everyone is a candidate for the treatment.   To find out if this treatment is right for you, we require all potential candidates to start with a complimentary consultation with Dr. Bartel to discuss your condition and treatment options.  

WHAT IS THE COST FOR SPINAL DECOMPRESSION?

There are many variables involved in the spinal decompression program at Advanced Spinal Care of Lakeland.  Depending on the condition, the treatment typically lasts 3 to 6 weeks and includes massage therapy, physical therapy and spinal manipulations in addition to the decompression.  Most insurance plans cover a potion of the treatment as well.  Once you come in for a consultation and speak with Dr. Bartel, our insurance department will be able to give you an accurate quote.

ONE OF OUR MANY SUCCESS STORIES:

After trying standard medical treatment, medication, injections, and anything else she could find, Ann decided that back pain was simply going to be part of her life. Until several weeks ago that is, when the Lakeland woman tried yet another fix. Unlike others, this one has worked, she said.

During several weeks, Ann visited a local Chiropractic clinic to have her spine stretched in strategic spots, relieving the swollen spinal disc that has pained her for the past several years. Advanced Spinal Care of Lakeland began offering decompression therapy administered with a combination of four other therapies -- becoming the first heath-care provider in Lakeland to do so. The technique helps treat back and neck pain, disc bulges, herniated disc, degenerative disc disease and other spinal problems.

"It's pretty much the only form of relief I've had," Ann said, "I pretty much tried everything short of surgery."

"This decompression protocol is helping local residents return to their normal lives", Dr. Bartel said. People with disc injuries are in so much pain they often avoid their usual activities like fishing, golf, and playing with grandchildren.

"They're really thanking us for getting their life back," he said.

"The therapy is non surgical, noninvasive and involves minimal medication." Dr. Bartel said. Instead, decompression therapy has become a first line of defense against back pain, offering a new avenue for those hoping to avoid painkillers or surgery. Though some patients must still undergo surgery, Dr. Bartel said the treatment has prevented others from going under the knife. The treatment has also helped patients, like Ann, who have tried traditional physical therapy, and treatments to no avail.

"Decompression therapy boasts an 80 percent success rate nationwide in ridding disc bulges," Dr. Bartel said. Advanced Spinal Care has probably seen greater success, he estimates. More traditional treatments for back pain include painkillers, hot packs, chiropractic adjustments, steroid injections and if all else fails, surgery. Since non-surgical spinal decompression has become a treatment option, it's quickly gained popularity.

During therapy, the machine isolates the patient's spine, either in the neck or lower back, and gently stretches the vertebrae surrounding the injured tissue. The repeated stretching lowers the pressure in the disc, creating a vacuum. The process causes herniated or bulged portions of a disc to retract, and the vacuum allows the disc to receive water, blood, and nutrients. According to Dr. Bartel, most patients require 15 to 20 of the treatments, which usually take about 15 minutes each.

Back pain is the number one cause of disability in people under age 45 in the United States, and people ages 26 to 40 have the most disc injuries. In addition, back pain is second only to the common cold as the leading cause of missed workdays nationwide. Dr. Bartel speculates the problem is even more common in Lakeland because of the amount of labor intensive and computer jobs in the area.

"Lakeland's work force has some of the hardest workers around suffering from neck pain caused by sitting at computers all day. But to be honest, back pain can target anyone," Dr. Bartel said.

Anne was told she was a perfect candidate for the new treatment after reviewing her MRI's. After discussing this alternative with her primary care physician, Ann decided to pursue this treatment.  She has had great relief from the therapy, and especially likes that it is noninvasive.

"Therapy is not painful, and most patients find it relaxing and comfortable; often saying they feel better when they leave. Some patients do wake up the next morning with soreness because the machine stretches back muscles that may have never been stretched before. The protocol is a six week program that combines a number of specific therapies that will ensure optimum results," Dr. Bartel said.

For more information regarding spinal decompression therapy visit www.lakelandasc.com. To schedule an appointment or to discuss how spinal decompression or other therapies offered by Advanced Spinal Care may benefit you call 813.701.2225 or stop by to schedule an appointment at 2125 Crystal Grove Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801. Advanced Spinal Care of Lakeland offers a refreshing approach to traditional chiropractic care and pain management. Dr. Bradley Bartel is committed to promoting optimal health and the well being of patients through a "whole person approach". This approach to wellness means looking for underlying causes of any disturbance or disruption (which may or may not be causing symptoms at the time) and make whatever interventions and lifestyle adjustments that would optimize the conditions for normal function. Using this unique approach, Dr. Bartel and his staff are able to help patients accelerate and/or maintain their journey to good health time and time again.