Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of spaces in the spine which causes pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. About 75% of cases of spinal stenosis occur in the low back (lumbar spine). In most cases, the narrowing of the spine associated with stenosis compresses the nerve root, which can cause pain along the back of the leg. There are many potential causes for spinal stenosis, including:aging, arthritis, heredity, Instability of the spine (spondylolisthesis), Tumors of the spine, or trauma.

Herniated/Bulging Discs

The bones of the spine are cushioned by discs, which are round and flat with a tough, outer shell (capsule) that surrounds a jelly-like material (nucleus).When discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine, keeping the spine flexible. When discs are damaged by injury, disease or the normal wear and tear associated with aging, they may bulge or rupture, becoming a herniated disc (sometimes called a slipped or ruptured disc).

Although injury to the outer covering of a disc can cause pain, often a herniated disc by itself does not cause any discomfort. Pain occurs when the herniated disc material presses on the nerve roots or spinal cord. Pain or numbness may occur in the area of the body affected by the nerve. For example, a herniated disc that presses on one of the nerve roots of the large nerve that extends from the lower back down the back or side of the leg may cause pain and numbness in the leg (a condition called sciatica).

Nerve-related symptoms of a herniated disc include:  Tingling (“pins and needles” sensation) or numbness in one leg that can begin in the buttock or behind the knee and extend to the ankle or foot, Severe deep muscle pain and muscle spasms, Weakness in certain muscles in one or both legs

Degenerative Disc Disease

This does not mean the spine is deteriorating and that you are headed for future pain and problems. These terms are simply a starting point for describing what occurs in the spine over time, and how the changes may explain the symptoms people feel.  An intervertebral disc sits between each pair of vertebrae (spine bone). A disc works like a shock absorber and a spacer between vertebrae. Intervertebral discs change with age, the nucleus dehydrates and shrinks in size (degenerative disc) decreasing the space between vertebrae.  Pain caused by degenerative disc disease is mainly mechanical pain, meaning it comes from the parts of the spine that move during activity: the discs, ligaments, and facet joints. In the case of DDD (degenerative disc disease) pain comes when the shrinking space between vertebrae causes pressure on tissue that don’t normally have pressure between them. This can be amplified by the presence of bone spurs that may press on soft tissues.

Spinal Decompression

Decompression is a modern form of motorized traction that is used to treat low back and radiating leg pain.  It is successful in treating degenerative spinal conditions and herniating discs.  When a disc is herniated or bulging it could impinge on nerves and create radiating pain down the leg, such as sciatica.  Spinal decompression produces and sustains negative pressures within the disc, creating a vacuum effect that draws in nutrients and fluids to promote the repair of injured discs and surrounding tissue. This vacuum has also been shown to aid in gently repositioning the spinal disc material which takes the pressure off of the nerves that are causing pain.

KDT Neural Flex Decompression

KDT stands for Kennedy Decompression Technique

The KDT is a table that is used for spinal decompression. On this table you will lie on your back and be strapped comfortably but snugly into the belts on the table.

While the KDT does not have a computer to show the biofeedback like the VAX-D does, the added feature of this table is its versatility. The entire KDT and/or specific sections of it can all be elevated or lowered to adjust to your comfort, it even has an option for soothing vibration.

Our goal is to help you to relax completely so that you receive an uninterrupted, slow, gentle pull to your spine. This should be very comfortable and will not cause you discomfort or pain, in fact many people will fall asleep on the KDT.

Like the Vax-D the pull you receive on the KDT has a maximum and a minimum. The machine will pull to the maximum amount that your therapists has set for you, then the machine will release to your minimum in a continuous cycle. Your maximum pull will not change unless you and your therapists agree to change it. Click here to learn about our aquatic therapy programs…