Suffering from leg and hip pain can dramatically affect your quality of life. This type of discomfort can make even the simplest tasks like walking or standing a challenge, severely limiting your mobility. If you're one of the millions of people worldwide who endure this kind of pain, you might find relief through a treatment method known as spinal decompression.
 

Understanding Leg and Hip Pain

Leg and hip pain can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from physical injuries to underlying health conditions. Some of the most prevalent causes include arthritis, hip fractures, bursitis, tendinitis, and nerve impingements such as sciatica. These conditions can lead to a wide array of symptoms, including aching, stiffness, swelling, and a reduced range of motion.

Arthritis, for instance, is an inflammatory condition affecting the joints. This condition can cause severe pain in the affected areas, including the hips and legs. Hip fractures, on the other hand, usually result from falls or other traumatic events and can cause sudden, intense pain. Bursitis and tendinitis are conditions that affect the bursa and tendons, respectively. These conditions can also lead to significant discomfort in the hip and leg region.

Nerve impingements like sciatica can result from a herniated disk in your spine or bone spurs on your vertebrae. These conditions can compress part of the nerve, causing inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. While the pain associated with these conditions can be severe, treatments like spinal decompression can provide significant relief.

What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment used to alleviate pain resulting from degenerative disc disease, disc bulges, disc herniations, sciatica, and other spinal conditions. This procedure works by gently stretching the spine, changing its force and position. This change alleviates pressure from the spinal discs—the gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine—by creating negative pressure within the disc.

As a result of this negative pressure, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine. This process can help promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disks so they can heal. Doctors have been using spinal decompression to treat back and neck pain, and research has shown that it can also be incredibly effective in treating leg and hip pain.

Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Decompression

You might still have a few questions about spinal decompression, and that's perfectly normal. Here are some commonly asked queries about the procedure.

Is spinal decompression painful? Most patients do not find the procedure painful. During the treatment, you'll be fully clothed and lie on a motorized table, the lower half of which can move. A harness around your hips will be attached to the lower part of the table, which will gently stretch and relax your spine.

How long does the procedure take? A spinal decompression session typically takes 30 to 45 minutes. However, your healthcare provider will also likely combine this treatment with other forms of therapy such as heat or cold therapy, electrical stimulation, or exercises to further enhance its effectiveness.

How many sessions will I need? The number of sessions needed varies depending on the severity of your condition and your body's response to treatment. However, many patients experience significant relief after just a few sessions.

Is Spinal Decompression Right for You?

Spinal decompression can be a highly effective treatment for leg and hip pain, offering pain relief, improved mobility, and a non-invasive, low-risk procedure. It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and treatment options.

If you're suffering from leg and hip pain and are interested in learning more about how spinal decompression could help, visit Dalton Chiropractic in our North Bend or Fremont, Nebraska office. Call (402) 727-1677 to schedule an appointment today.