fbpx
(732) 345-1377 info@monmouthpain.com

What You Can Learn from Outer Space Travel in Helping Your Back Pain Now!

May 2, 2016 | Chiropractic

Written by: Eric Chludzinski, DC

When astronauts go into a weightless environment, the discs in the spine begin to swell with fluid. Because the spine normallyspace blog title pic has a lot of weight on it, in anti-gravity there is a lack of compression on the spine. This causes the discs to decompress making the spine longer. The spinal cord and nerves do not stretch much and do not adapt well to this change in length of the spine.

As far as space travel and back pain, decompression for several days tends to be too much of a good thing. After a long trip in space, the astronaut can gain a few inches in height. This extreme stretch of the spinal column can cause a lot of back pain.

Bed rest also decompresses the spine. But bed rest for more than two days will actually increase low back pain. Besides lengthening the spine substantially, spinal muscles do not get much work while in a weightless environment.

With the use of a spinal decompression machine, the spine can be decompressed. Decompression is achieved by loading the spine in a way that counters the pull of your muscles. This loading causes decompression of the disc. This decompression can be enough to take pressure off of a nerve. In some patients, decompression treatment causes a negative pressure to develop inside of the disk. This negative pressure may then “draw in” the protruding disc material.

space blog pic 1

So space travel does not cure back pain, but the principles of spinal decompression can be applied here on earth. By decompressing the spine for a few minutes over several weeks, some of the gravity effects on the spine are reversed.

The disc may be moved away from a painful nerve while the vertebrae are separated during decompression. The decompression machine can also have the pull angled in such a way that the loading is applied to a particular spinal vertebra. In the patient with a herniated or bulging disc and back or leg pain, decompression treatment may be a solution. The therapy consists of the patient reclining on the table of a decompression machine while a computer controls and alternates between periods of distractive stretch and relaxation of the patient’s spine.  As the decompression occurs the spine is gently pulled to elongate the spinal discs, muscle, tendons and ligaments to create relief of compression loading on these structures.

decompression

Patients with chronic lower back pain, sciatica, and disc conditions (i.e., disc bulge / herniation, degenerative disc disease, etc.) can greatly benefit from the relief of decompression. This will create a negative pressure for the spinal discs allowing the bulging discs to retract. This in turn, helps to promote the exchange of oxygen, water and nutrients back into the disc resulting in sustaining disc health, healing repair and lasting pain relief.  The patient might now avoid invasive procedures such as injections or surgery.

When considering a remedy for a Degenerative Disc, Monmouth Pain & Rehabilitation should be your first stop. Our physicians come highly recommended by numerous physicians in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Feel free to contact us for a FREE consultation. If you are looking for faster service, give us a call at 732-345-1377. Just tell them that you read this article and you will receive our complimentary in-office evaluation (a $145 value). 

Have Questions? Get In Touch Today!

Give us a call at (732) 345-1377 today to have all of your questions answered and to get you booked for an appointment!

Monmouth Pain - White Logo

About Monmouth Pain

Monmouth Pain is a multi-specialty, all-under-one-roof orthopedic facility serving Monmouth & Ocean County NJ.

Services include orthopedics, neurosurgery, pain management, sports medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and acupuncture.

Monmouth Pain combines expert collaborative care with 5-star service to provide you with the best results for your condition.

Simple, effective, efficient.

Follow Us

Related Posts

Understanding Sciatica

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain and discomfort along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. The team at Monmouth Pain understands the impact that sciatica can have on daily life, and in this blog post, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and effective treatment options for this common condition.

read more
Understanding Spinal Disc Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Understanding Spinal Disc Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

The human spine is a remarkable structure that provides support, flexibility, and protection to our bodies. Central to its function are the spinal discs, which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. Unfortunately, spinal disc injuries can occur due to various factors, leading to pain and discomfort. In this blog post, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for spinal disc injuries.

read more
Shoulder Pain vs. Neck Pain: Understanding the Difference and Effective Treatment Approaches

Shoulder Pain vs. Neck Pain: Understanding the Difference and Effective Treatment Approaches

Shoulder pain and neck pain are common complaints that can significantly impact daily life. However, differentiating between the two can be challenging, as they often share similar symptoms. At Monmouth Pain, we recognize the importance of accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for our patients. In this blog post, we will discuss the differences between shoulder pain and neck pain, highlight how our dedicated team works together to determine the root cause, and explore effective treatment options for both conditions.

read more
Low Back Pain Remains the Leading Cause of Disability Worldwide.

Low Back Pain Remains the Leading Cause of Disability Worldwide.

Injuries from slips and falls, auto accidents, sports, degeneration from aging, poor postural habits, and lack of proper fitness can cause these discs to shift from their normal space between the vertebrae and into the spinal canal or spinal nerve space. When the disc shifts just a little bit it is defined as a disc bulge and is known to cause pain for a lot of people with or without pressure onto the nerve.

read more
However your back pain started, it can end here!

However your back pain started, it can end here!

Injuries from slips and falls, auto accidents, sports, degeneration from aging, poor postural habits, and lack of proper fitness can cause these discs to shift from their normal space between the vertebrae and into the spinal canal or spinal nerve space. When the disc shifts just a little bit it is defined as a disc bulge and is known to cause pain for a lot of people with or without pressure onto the nerve.

read more