Back decompression refers to any procedure or set of procedures aimed at relieving pressure on spinal discs. The object of decompressing discs is two fold: a) immediate pain relief and b) allowing injured discs to heal.

Spinal discs serve as spacers between the vertebrae (bones of the spine ). They act as cushions that keep the bones from grating against each other, and they also facilitate mobility. Compressed, degenerative, herniated or torn discs usually result in back pain and reduced range of motion.

Back decompression restores the spaces between vertebrae and relieves pressure on the discs. This gives the discs an opportunity to begin to return to their proper places, to expand and to heal. In this way it serves as a compressed, degenerated or herniated disc treatment.

Those who either cannot afford professional therapy, or who, for personal reasons, simply want to go it alone have some options to choose from:

* Physical activities such as low back pain exercises that stretch and relax muscles while spreading out the vertebrae
* Traction with or without commercially available equipment — especially helpful for neck pain relief as well as lumbar region pain
* Various types of equipment, including inversion tables, trigger-point therapy devices, and neck traction devices

Link: EZine Articles
http://ezinearticles.com/?Back-Decompression—An-Answer-to-Serious-Back-Pain?&id=4834521

Dr. Alan Weidner
www.massage-chair-relief.com