I had it several years ago for my L5 compression issues. Feels so amazing when they do it. I couldn't help but pass out during each appointment while being stretched. It's been 3-4 years since I've had it done and haven't needed to go back. I still have some pain, but nothing like before.

Fancy name for traction. It works well though. But offices pay way too much for those machines so they need to put people on them.

I did spinal decompression for a similar issue some years back. Seemed to help at times. Other times, not so much. One time in particular, I came out with more pinching on my nerves... it was something of a crippling type pinch. Ultimately, the cause of my herniation was an imbalance of tension in the psoas muscles (one side tighter, pulling the L4 & L5 down, and thus pinching). The decompression machine didn't address this particular cause. It wasn't the solution for me, but the nature of your herniation may be different.

Try an inversion table, 5 min a day at home and you don't have to pay a chiro (me) thousands.

Aggiederelict- nailed it.

What is an approximate price for the spinal decompression?
I've got the same symptoms of lower back pain running down left leg. Keeping me up at night.
Ortho guy said it was IT band.

I gotta get something done and next step is chiropractor I think.

2-4 thousand depending on # of treatments and the machine used.

Also, look more into the IT band. I don't know any orthos that would say that unless they were sure that's what it was. Can't cut on an IT band.

Oh good, the price has come down. Hope its working for you.

People are paying 2-4 k for traction? I'm sorry but that is insane.

Last time i checked into it that was the going cash price, and insurance didn't cover it.

I had 2 unsuccessful discectomies in a span of 3 years, and my neuro wanted to fuse. I am a chiropractor, and I bought a decompression table to attempt to avoid further surgery. It took about 6 weeks, but am now asymptomatic going on 5 years. My neurosurgeon now refers patients to me. It doesn't work for everyone, but is definitely a good trial, and far more successful than injections.

how long were you in pain?

The lower extremity pain usually takes longer to recover than the localized back pain. And sometimes the motor function of the affected nerve roots to the muscles does not fully recover. This is consistent with decompression treatment or surgery.

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Try an inversion table, 5 min a day

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I would say really really don't do this unless you are sure you are completely healthy otherwise.

That said physical therapy from someone who knows what they are doing, be it a Dr, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, etc. is worth its weight in gold. Generally speaking you do not want to mess with the spine if you can avoid it.

Also rules of thumb for nerves is 1mm of growth per day, some can reach 5mm others never make above .2mm.

Did you try any other methods for the herniated disc other than decompression?

Physical therapy, stretches or just manipulation ?
I'm in same situation and at a crossroads of what direction to go on

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quote:

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Try an inversion table, 5 min a day

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I would say really really don't do this unless you are sure you are completely healthy otherwise.

That said physical therapy from someone who knows what they are doing, be it a Dr, a physical therapist, a chiropractor, etc. is worth its weight in gold. Generally speaking you do not want to mess with the spine if you can avoid it.

Also rules of thumb for nerves is 1mm of growth per day, some can reach 5mm others never make above .2mm.

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Why not an inversion table?

Inversion table is done supine (on back). Someone with a flexion disorder (leaning forward increases pain) would want to avoid this position. Lying prone or doing McKenzie exercises would be much better.

McKenzie exercises are great, but almost all decompression is done supine.

I found a chiropractor in Houston at "We Got Your Back" in Vintage Park actually through a Groupon. Upon further looking, Dr. Tyler Slagowski is on my insurance plan.

He charges $25 for decompression and he basically told me he undercuts all other places for the simple reason to draw more people in.

I was impressed with the location and all the other techniques they used when I went. I've only been twice but plan to continue to go.