Dr. Boardman's Published Articles

Spinal Decompression: A successful non-surgical treatment for herniated and bulging discs.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a state of the art treatment that has been helping thousands of patients with chronic low back pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and herniated, bulging or degenerated discs.  This is an entirely different treatment from traditional chiropractic adjustments.  Many of the patients who are candidates for this procedure have already tried chiropractic, physical therapy, injections, and or told they would need surgery.

According to a study conducted by the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project, the number of lumbar fusion surgeries quadrupled between 1993-2003.  Discectomies (surgical removal of the disc) did not fair well either.  According to an article in Spine (1999), “The long-term results of standard lumbar discectomy are not very satisfying. More than one-third of the patients had unsatisfactory results and more than one quarter complained of significant residual pain.” 

Comparatively, decompression provides a successful non-surgical treatment option. The American Journal of Pain Management found an 86% success rate with disc herniations (1997; 7:63-65) These findings were then supported by a follow-up MRI study which found “…85% improved clinically, and the improvement could be correlated fairly well with the MRI changes.” (Journal of Neuroimaging, April 1998, Vol. 8:2). A study in 2004 revealed that 76% of patients with chronic low back pain, achieved remission with decompression. (Neurological Research, 2004 Apr; 26(3):320-4)  A second study on patients with low back disc pain, demonstrated an “83% improvement in low back pain, and a (patient) satisfaction rating of 8.55/10 (median 9).” (Pain Pract., Mar. 2008)

This breakthrough treatment works by gently separating the vertebra which decompresses the disc, thus causing the bulging material to be drawn back into the disc.  It does this by reversing the high intra-discal pressure, thus creating a vacuum effect within the disc.   According to the Journal of Neurosurgery (vol. 81, 1994), decompression was found to reduce the pressure in the nucleus to “below -100 mmHg.”  At the same time water and nutrients are drawn into the disc to assist the healing process.   Non-surgical spinal decompression is very effective, has a high success rate, and can be utilized for both cervical and lumbar disc injuries.

The typical treatment program is spread over several weeks.  In addition to the decompression therapy, additional support may be necessary in the form of bracing, TENS (electrical stimulation), and nutritional supplementation.  It is essential to strengthen the spine following decompression. This is accomplished through “core strengthening” rehabilitation exercises.  These exercises are designed to strengthen the superficial and deep muscles of the spine and abdomen in order to provide the patient with optimum spinal stabilization.  Many of our patients resume the previous activities they enjoyed.  If you or someone you know has been told they need injections or back surgery, please have them call for a complimentary consultation to determine if they are a candidate for this procedure.

-Dr. John E. Boardman is the owner/director of Boardman Family Chiropractic, P.C. and Ahwatukee Spinal Aid Center, located in Ahwatukee, AZ.  He treats children and adults of all ages for a variety of injuries and conditions.  If you have any health questions, he can be contacted at the following: (480) 704-1954 (office), drboardman@spinalaid.com or visit him online at ahwatukeechiropractic.com or azspinalaid.com.