Spinal Decompression

What is spinal decompression?

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a type of motorized traction that can relieve back pain. Spinal decompression gently stretches the spine, taking pressure off the spinal discs between your vertebrae. This relieves pressure around and in the disc allowing your spine to reposition naturally. By creating negative pressure, a rush of water, oxygen, and nutrients can also go into your disc tissue, fostering a healing environment for your back.

When non-surgical spinal decompression doesn’t relieve your symptoms, surgical spinal decompression is an option. Most pain can be relieved with non-surgical spinal decompression, but as a last resort, surgical decompression is an option.

BackFit Health + Spine’s primary focus is on non-invasive treatments. Our providers perform non-surgical spinal decompression therapy only, but if it does not work, can provide a referral for the more invasive procedure of surgical spinal decompression.

What symptoms and conditions does spinal decompression help with?

Spinal decompression therapy is especially helpful for lower back pain, and it can help with several other conditions including:

Including spinal decompression, your doctors at BackFit may also provide medical advice for other supporting specialities in your treatment. You may also benefit from chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, hot or cold therapy, spinal bracing, and more.

What can I expect during a non-surgical spinal decompression treatment?

During a session, you will remain clothed and lay down on a specialized decompression table. It is similar to an inversion table, but the table lays flat with no hanging upside down. A harness is placed around your hips that attaches to the lower part of the table near your feet. You might lay face down or face up.

The lower part of the table will then move slowly back and forth while the top part of the table remains fixed, sometimes called traction. You should not feel pain during or after decompression therapy, although you will feel your spine stretching and muscle relaxation.

Your doctor may recommend 1 or many sessions to assist in your healing process. Sessions last from 10 minutes to 30 minutes based on your treatment plan.

Click here to schedule a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for spinal decompression.