Treating Radiculopathies Using Spinal Decompression Therapy

Introduction

The spine is an S-shaped curve located in the back that makes sure that the body is standing upright, twisting, turning, bending, and moving from one place to another without any pain or problems. The spine is also protected by ligaments, the spinal cord, soft tissues from the musculoskeletal system, and spinal discs that ensure it doesn’t get injured. When a person gets injured from pulling a back muscle or is in an accident, the spine suffers the most as they are suffering from a variety of back pains that can hinder their quality of life and become miserable. There are many treatments for back pain that can provide relief to individuals suffering from back issues. In this article, we will be looking at the different types of radiculopathies that can affect the spine and how spinal decompression can help treat radiculopathy. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Is Radiculopathy?

Since low back pain is common for many individuals, it can affect them in some way or form as the pain can range from a dull, mild ache to a severe sharp pain that can hinder a person. The variety of back pains can also vary from strains, ruptured discs, and pinched nerves, to name a few. One of the back pain conditions is radiculopathy, and research studies have shown that it is often described as a range of symptoms produced by a pinched nerve root in the spinal column. Radiculopathy can occur in different areas along the spine. The most common ones are in the lumbar and cervical spine. Other studies have also demonstrated that radicular back pain is one of the most common reasons many individuals have low back pain and can cause the person to be in pain and lose sensation and motor function depending on how severe the nerves are compressed in the spine.

Lumbar Radiculopathy

Radicular back pain is most often the painful secondary condition to compression or inflammation of the spinal cord. When it comes to lumbar radiculopathy, research studies have stated that the pain is being radiated on the lower half of the body, causing it to travel down from the back of the leg to the calf and the foot, hitting the sciatic nerve, thus developing sciatica. When this happens, many individuals will begin to feel worse from the leg pain than the low back pain since the sciatic nerve is inflamed and sending sharp, shooting pain along the leg, causing a person to be miserable.

Other research studies have shown that lumbar radiculopathy can cause by lumbar disc herniation and degeneration of the spinal vertebra. Some of the symptoms of lumbar radiculopathy usually depend on how severe the damaged nerve signals are and what degenerative conditions are happening to the spine. Some of the conditions include:

• Pain
• Numbness or tingling sensation
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sciatica

Cervical Radiculopathy

Research studies have stated that cervical radiculopathy is described when the nerve root from the cervical spine has become inflamed or damaged. Since the nerve roots are branched out from the spinal cord and help supply many motor functions to the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers, nerve damage to the cervical spine can cause immense pain. This can cause neurological deficits that can result from changes in neurological function in the body.

Other research studies have shown that when individuals are suffering from cervical radiculopathy, it is due to either the nerve root being compressed or inflamed that can cause a variety of symptoms that can affect the quality of life of a person. Some of the signs that are caused by cervical radiculopathy include:

• Arm pain
• Sensory deficits
• Reflex deficits
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Chest pain

How The DRX9000 Treats The Back-Video

The video above explains how the DRX9000 is used on lower back pain individuals. The DRX9000 is often used for spinal decompression therapy as it gently stretches the spine and helps relieve unwanted back pain that the individual is suffering from. The DRX9000 is a traction machine that will help elongate the spine as it helps decompress the compressed and irritated spinal discs. The spinal disc will feel negative traction pull, and the necessary beneficial nutrients and oxygen rehydrating those discs and reabsorb the herniation back into the spine. Many individuals that utilize spinal decompression with the combination of physical therapy as part of their wellness journey will begin to get their quality of life back. If you want to learn more about spinal decompression therapy, this link will explain the benefits of spinal decompression and how it can alleviate low back pain symptoms.

How Spinal Decompression Treats Radiculopathies

Research studies have shown that when spinal decompression is combined with a routine physical therapy can help improve the pain caused by radiculopathy while also providing a lumbar range of motion, back muscle endurance, and bringing the quality of life back to many individuals. Since spinal decompression is when a person is lying on a traction table, fully strapped and gently pulled, that will allow relief to their spine. Other studies have shown that when lumbar traction is applied to individuals that are suffering from radiculopathies will feel a decreased pressure by vertebral separation to reduce the pinched nerve. Individuals who utilize spinal decompression for at least six weeks of treatment recommended by their primary physicians will begin to feel less pain in their back and feel better throughout the day.

Conclusion

All in all, radiculopathy is often described as a range of symptoms that can occur in different parts of the spine. Both lumbar and cervical radiculopathy have the exact causes as it involves a pinched nerve root that is compressed and inflamed, causing pain symptoms from the neck to the foot. With spinal decompression and physical therapy, many individuals will begin to feel instant relief as their spine is being gently stretched and the beneficial nutrients are reabsorbed back into the spine. Afterward, many individuals will be able to get back their quality of life pain-free.

References

Alexander, Christopher E, and Matthew Varacallo. “Lumbosacral Radiculopathy – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 12 Feb. 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430837/.

Amjad, Fareeha, et al. “Effects of Non-Surgical Decompression Therapy in Addition to Routine Physical Therapy on Pain, Range of Motion, Endurance, Functional Disability and Quality of Life versus Routine Physical Therapy Alone in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy; a Randomized Controlled Trial – BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.” BioMed Central, BioMed Central, 16 Mar. 2022, bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12891-022-05196-x.

Ben-Yishay, Ari. “Lumbar Radiculopathy.” Spine, Spine-Health, 25 Apr. 2012, www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/lumbar-radiculopathy.

Dydyk, Alexander M, et al. “Radicular Back Pain – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 2 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546593/.

Kang, Kyung-Chung, et al. “Cervical Radiculopathy Focus on Characteristics and Differential Diagnosis.” Asian Spine Journal, Korean Society of Spine Surgery, Dec. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7788378/.

Khan, Rehan Ramzan, et al. “Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction in Supine versus Prone Lying Position for Lumbosacral Radiculopathy.” Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, Professional Medical Publications, 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8377889/.

Medical Professionals, John Hopkins. “Radiculopathy.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2022, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/radiculopathy.

Meyler, Zinovy. “What Is Cervical Radiculopathy?” Spine, Spine-Health, 4 Jan. 2019, www.spine-health.com/conditions/neck-pain/what-cervical-radiculopathy.

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