Spinal Compression

Most of you are familiar by now with the concept of spinal misalignment.  This refers to a vertebra being fixated or ‘stuck’ out of position.  There are various ways this could happen.  For instance, a vertebra could be rotated to the right or to the left, nutated up or down, or lateralized out of position.  A proper chiropractic adjustment corrects the misalignment, whatever its form.

Spinal compression is a different concept than misalignment.  Compression is what it sounds like: two or more spinal segments are compressed on top of one another.  This is dysfunctional because it narrows joint spaces, and–like a misalignment–can cause a region of the spine to not move properly.

Compression can also predispose vertebrae to become misaligned.  It may be that when particular vertebrae seem to always be misaligned from visit to visit, the reason is that there is unresolved compression in that region of the spine!

Moreover, compression– if significant and combined with a spinal disc bulge or herniation– can adversely impact the spinal nerves, resulting in sciatica or other forms of radiculopathy in the arms or in the legs.

One of the best ways to correct spinal compression is through the Ergo-Flex Decompression Machine we have in the modality room near the entrance to the office.  With a controlled and consistent force, this device gently pulls on the spine, restoring the proper spacing between the vertebrae.  It may take a number of sessions to achieve a lasting effect, but in many cases it only takes a few sessions to achieve a noticeable reduction of compression and improvement in any associated symptoms.