Knee Decompression Therapy

Looking for relief from knee pain? Whether it’s caused by age-related arthritis or a fresh sports injury, the knee can be susceptible to a variety of injuries, chronic conditions, and long-term pain. The knee is one of the most complex joints in the human body, composed of bones, muscles and ligaments. It plays a key role in mobility, from walking to kneeling and running to climbing stairs, your knees keep you moving.

But a lot can go wrong with knee joints. The joint requires appropriate cushioning between the bones to function smoothly and without pain. This can deteriorate over time. In addition, the soft tissues which support the joint can become damaged, which also causes pain and loss of function. It’s common for this soft tissue to become compressed, either because of age, injury or other conditions.

Many times people ignore knee pain, thinking not much can be done to solve the issue. But, as you may already know from experience, knee pain and knee injuries can get in the way of leading an active lifestyle and cause significant lingering pain. Living with chronic pain can affect your entire life, from interrupting your concentration at work to diminishing your quality of life.

Suffering from Knee Pain in North Jersey?

Knee pain is commonly treated with over-the-counter pain medication, but this is just a short bandaid treatment and not a long-term solution. Once the medicine wears off, the knee pain might come right back. And painkillers never address the underlying issues causing the pain. You might be recommended for injections and even knee surgery, which can be both risky and inconvenient to your busy lifestyle.

There are, however, non-invasive options worth considering. Knee decompression therapy (also known as knee traction) is gaining in popularity because of its safety and effectiveness in reducing pain and increasing function to the knee joint. If you’ve been struggling with knee pain, whether it’s been a long-term condition or new issue, knee decompression may be the answer you’re looking for. Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy is proud to offer this option to patients at our Clifton, New Jersey office. In addition to our Oakland, Wayne, Fair Lawn, and Closter offices, our team is thrilled to offer a host of services including knee decompression therapy at our newest location in Clifton, New Jersey

What is Knee Decompression Therapy?

You might be familiar with chiropractic spinal decompression, which uses a traction device to gently stretch the spine. This helps to relieve pressure in the spine and encourages better blood flow to help heal the area. A similar therapy is available for knee pain and related injuries! Knee decompression therapy uses a traction device to gently stretch the knee joint, relieving pressure between the femur and tibia and creates a bit of a vacuum effect in the region. This can help relieve pain and help reduce inflammation. Because compressed tissue can be problematic, this therapy also helps to reduce pressure placed on these areas, while also supporting better blood flow and stretching of the tendons and ligaments. Can Knee Decompression Therapy Help Chronic Knee Pain?

Yes! Knee decompression therapy is a non-invasive therapy that can improve chronic knee pain. Many patients report feeling significantly less pain and a return to greater function even after many years of suffering from chronic knee pain. If you are tired of taking pain medication to dull the ache of knee pain, or if you’re considering more invasive procedures, knee decompression therapy is worth considering before commiting to an invasive treatment course that carries much greater risk.

What Conditions Can Knee Decompression Therapy Help?

It’s not just chronic pain that can benefit from knee decompression therapy. There are many conditions that can see vast improvements in not only pain relief but use of your knees. That means you can get back to taking walks, participating in activities you enjoy and experiencing greater range of motion. Here are some of the conditions that can benefit from knee decompression therapy:

• General knee pain
• Residual knee pain after a sports injury
• Residual knee pain after a fall or other trauma
• Arthritis and osteoarthritis
• Meniscus tears and injuries
• Ligament injuries like ACL or MCL tears
• Baker’s cysts
• Cartilage regeneration
• Knee joint degeneration
• Lateral or medial collateral tears
• Rehabilitation after surgery or total knee replacement
• Sprains and strains older than 6 weeks

Is Knee Decompression Painful?

Many first-time patients are concerned about potential discomfort when undergoing a knee decompression. The great news is that knee decompression is not only safe, but it’s gentle and feels like a slight tugging on your leg.

Knee decompression therapy is done in a comfortable chair similar to a massage chair. Your leg is held firmly in place by a part of the device that resembles a leg brace. The entire process uses precision technology controlled by the device’s computer, meaning your therapist can make miniscule changes to the intensity of the decompression and is in complete control of the process. The brace will gently pull the lower part of the leg while the upper part remains fixed in place. By gently pulling back and forth, this traction motion opens up the joint, relieving pressure and making it easier to move the joint thanks to this decompression.

How Long is a Knee Decompression Therapy Session?

You might be surprised to learn that knee decompression therapy is a relatively quick procedure. Since it’s a non-invasive treatment, you don’t have to worry about doing any preparation before your session. The therapy, which will help relieve pressure and improve mobility without causing pain, should be completed in around 15 minutes per leg.

Can I Walk Normally After Knee Decompression Therapy

Most patients find the process comfortable, with many experiencing a sense of relief during and after the session. If you’re worried that your knee will be out of commission after the therapy, there’s no need for concern! Unlike knee surgery, which can require several months of healing, you’ll be ready to go back to your normal life as soon as you leave the decompression device. No need to take extra time off from work and no need to have someone accompany you.

It’s common for some patients to experience a minimal amount of soreness the day following the procedure, particularly after your first few sessions. This should dissipate quickly and can be helped by applying ice packs to the knee.

How long does knee decompression take to work?

Because everyone’s body is different, the number of sessions too will vary. For people with minimal injuries or pain, they may only need a few sessions to feel the difference. However, for those suffering from more severe, long-term pain, or significant scar tissue, it may take more sessions to begin to experience relief. On average, most patients should expect to undergo six to 12 knee decompression sessions to provide the most benefits. Still, it’s important to receive a custom plan that’s designed for your specific needs.

Knee Decompression Therapy in North Jersey

Ready to reduce pain, increase function, and enhance the healing process for your knee? Oakland Spine and Physical Therapy is pleased to offer this safe and effective method to our patients to help them regain movement and reduce discomfort. Our goal is to get you back to doing the things you love without pain or struggle. If you’re in the North Jersey area and looking for knee pain relief, reach out for a consultation and begin your healing journey!

Choose from your most convenient northern NJ location:

Oakland

Wayne

Fair Lawn