Vancouver residents suffering from back and neck pain associated with slipped or bulging discs have found relief in spinal decompression therapy. Dr. Peter Ting with office in Downtown Vancouver was one of the first chiropractors in Vancouver to offer the non-surgical computerized treatment and has been helping relieve back and neck pain for many patients since.

A herniated disc is a displaced piece of the center part or nucleus of the disc that is pushed through a tear in the outer layers. Pain results when irritating substances are released from this tear and also if the jelly portion touches or compresses a nearby nerve. According to Vancouver chiropractor Dr. Ting, disc herniation has some similarities to degenerative disc disease and discs that herniate are often in an early stage of degeneration, which is why immediate treatment is critical to the long-term health of a patient.

Disc herniation can be caused by several lifestyle choices, including smoking, lack of regular exercise, and inadequate nutrition. These can all contribute to poor disc health. Poor posture, daily wear and tear, injury or trauma, and incorrect lifting or twisting further stress the disc. Discs that are already weakened are extremely susceptible to damage. An injured disc could herniate with a single movement or strain such as coughing or even bending to pick up a pencil.

Vancouver chiropractor Dr. Ting says spinal decompression therapy is a viable solution for many patients suffering from intense back and neck pain. Some patients report significant reduction in pain within a few sessions while others take longer.

“Spinal decompression therapy can be used for patients with any disc related problem. Many make a full recovery and can resume the same hobbies or activities they enjoyed before their disc injury,” says Vancouver chiropractor Dr. Ting.

Spinal decompression therapy involves a special machine that literally pulls the spine apart, thus relieving the pressure on the discs. Vancouver chiropractor Dr. Ting says the technology is computerized that can help him pinpoint and treat the specific problem area. The machine allows Dr. Ting to target the specific disc that’s affected instead of just pulling the entire spine.

During the procedure, patients are placed in a harness that keeps them in a stable position while a computer-controlled series of stretches targets specific areas of the spine. The duration of the therapy session is approximately 30 minutes, with patients receiving a series of 20-25 sessions over a period of 7-8 weeks. Dr. Ting offers decompression therapy in conjunction with chiropractic manipulations and rehabilitation for maximum effectiveness.

For more information about the use of spinal decompression in Vancouver, please visit

http://www.VancouverSpineAndDiscCentre.ca

or call (604) 689-HEAL for a consultation.