Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression by Our Chiropractor in San Antonio, TX

Do you feel as if your whole body is short-circuiting? Those "electric shock" feelings, numb spots, sudden sharp pains, and other bizarre feelings may be the result of spinal nerve tissue compression. Interruption of essential nerve signals not only causes unpleasant symptoms in the extremities; it can also interfere with your overall health and wellness. But you don't need invasive surgery to correct this problem -- not when you can receive non-surgical spinal decompression from Optimal Health & Wellness Center in San Antonio, TX.

The Compressed Spine: Symptoms and Causes

Your spinal column is more than just a stack of vertebrae -- it also houses and protects the spinal cord. This means that the major nerve roots that branch out from the spinal cord to relay signals throughout the body must thread their way through small spaces around the structures. Unfortunately, it's all too easy for spinal imbalances to put pressure on these important nerve tissues. Compression can stop or alter the flow of nerve signals, creating a variety of problems.

The most obvious symptoms of spinal nerve compression occur in the extremities. Pain, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation in the arms may be due to compression in the cervical spine; the same symptoms in a leg may be caused by compression of the sciatic nerve tissue (sciatica).

Some cases of spinal compression are the direct result of an acute injury that has forced vertebral discs to move out of position, where they may herniate painfully onto nerve tissue. Bulging discs are another, a more subtle cause of spinal compression. Aging discs may grow flatter over time as they lose internal water content, pushing outward on nerves while also placing the spine's facet joints under stress.

Spinal Decompression from Our Chiropractor

If you have nightmares about doctors surgically removing bits of a disc or vertebral bone to relieve your nerve compression, you'll be delighted to learn that you get most likely get the relief you need through conservative care. Our chiropractor, Dr. Clay Suggs, administers non-surgical spinal decompression with the aid of a special motorized table. The table applies tiny amounts of flexion distraction force to the spine as you lie comfortably on it. This outward-pulling force pulls the vertebrae apart just enough to produce a vacuum in the space between them. Herniated or bulging discs are literally sucked back into space where they normally reside, releasing trapped nerve tissue.

Call Our Chiropractic Clinic in San Antonio

Stop living with impaired nerve function and debilitating discomfort. Call our San Antonio chiropractic clinic at (210) 681-3333 to find out whether spinal decompression might be the non-surgical solution to your painful problems!

Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustment can only be applied to joints in the spine and correction of misalignment or subluxation that may occur in that area. 95 percent of all spinal adjustments in the world are performed by chiropractors. Chiropractic adjustment frees the vertebrae to adjust to its natural position. The natural state of the body knows how to correct itself once it is free to do so with the help of chiropractic adjustment. 

Chiropractic adjustments can help prevent and treat many conditions such as the following:

Arthritis

Bursitis

Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain disorders

Chronic muscle pain and stiffness

Headaches

Most musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries

Nerve disorders

Pain and stiffness in the back, chest, abdomen, neck, hips and shoulders, as well as extremities, such as arms, legs, and feet

Sciatica pain

Scoliosis

Tendonitis

Whiplash and other traumatic injuries

Some common adjustment methods include:

Toggle Drop: This is when the chiropractor, using crossed hands, presses down firmly on a particular area of the spine. Then, with a quick and precise thrust, the chiropractor adjusts the spine. This is done to improve mobility in the vertebral joints.

Lumbar Roll (aka side posture): The chiropractor positions the patient on his or her side, then applies a quick and precise manipulative thrust to the misaligned vertebra, returning it to its proper position.

Release Work: The chiropractor applies gentle pressure using his or her fingertips to separate the vertebrae.

Table adjustments: The patient lies on a special table with sections that drop down. The chiropractor applies a quick thrust at the same time the section drops. The dropping of the table allows for a lighter adjustment without the twisting positions that can accompany other techniques.

Instrument adjustments: Often the gentlest methods of adjusting the spine. The patient lies on the table face down while the chiropractor uses a spring-loaded activator instrument to perform the adjustment. This technique is often used to perform adjustments on animals as well.

Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA): This is performed by a chiropractor certified in this technique in a hospital outpatient setting when the patient is unresponsive to traditional adjustments.Chiropractors take many factors—including size, weight, and muscle structure—into consideration when deciding on which adjustment to make. Sometimes, ice, electrical stimulation, or massage therapy (including traction massage) are used prior to a spinal manipulation in order to relax the muscles.

Patients with chronic pain my require anesthesia during their treatment. This procedure is safe and only reserved for patients with special circumstance. Chiropractic adjustments, when performed by a skillful professional, are significantly safe methods of spinal correction.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of bodywork that is focused primarily on the concept of primary respiration and regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid by using therapeutic touch to manipulate the synarthrodial joints of the cranium. This procedure is proven to often relieve symptoms of stress and tension.

The following are observed benefits from chiropractic adjustments:

Increased blood flow

Increased body secretion of melatonin and endorphins

Increased pain tolerance levels

Increased range of motion

Reduced blood pressure

Reduced tension

Reduced muscle pain

Popping sounds heard during a chiropractic adjustments are usually caused by pockets of air being released from behind the joints. Mild aching or soreness may be present after a chiropractic visit, but is typically gone shortly after and easily relieved with the application of ice or heat.