Spinal Decompression
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How We Use Spinal Decompression
At Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy spinal decompression is sometimes used for people with pinched nerves, sciatica, or bulging or herniated discs. Your plan is built around exercise, and may include hands-on treatment such as massage, joint mobilisation or spinal adjustments.
The research on traction for back pain and sciatica is limited, and clinical guidelines don’t recommend it as a routine treatment. We only use it as an optional addition to an exercise-based plan, review it at the sixth visit, and stop if it isn’t helping.
What Is Spinal Decompression?
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
Spinal decompression is a non-invasive form of mechanical traction used for some people with disc-related back and neck pain. How, or whether, it helps is not well established.
The table is computer-controlled, so the pull can be set and adjusted.
Results vary. We may combine decompression with laser therapy.
What To Know About Spinal Decompression
- It is sometimes used for people with a bulging or herniated disc.
- Spinal decompression therapy can be used for either the low back (lumbar) or neck (cervical) spinal discs.
- Most people find it comfortable. Some feel a stretch or mild soreness, especially early on — tell us and we’ll adjust.
- Decompression is generally well tolerated. Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as temporary soreness. It isn’t suitable for everyone — see who shouldn’t have it.
- The positioning can be adapted for each individual.
The patient (either face down or on their back) lies on a motorized table which can change angles and positions to target the desired area of treatment. When treating the back a harness is fastened around the hips. The harness is attached to the computerized traction head (or pulling device). A second harness is wrapped around the thorax is two stabilize the upper body. When treating the neck, the neck and head are placed in comfortable neck support with a forehead strap.
For more information about our Spinal Decompression Therapy or to book your consultation, call us at (01) 575 2623 or visit our contact page.
Who Is Spinal Decompression Used For?
We may use spinal decompression, as an optional addition to an exercise-based plan, for some people with lower back pain, leg pain, sciatica, neck pain or arm pain linked to a bulging or herniated disc. Your clinician will advise whether it is suitable for you. Conditions it is used for include:
- Herniated Discs.
- Leg Pain.
- Low Back Pain.
- Neck Pain.
- Pinched Nerve.
- Sciatica.
Who Should Not Have Spinal Decompression?
The following groups of people are not good candidates for spinal decompression:
- Pregnancy
- Recent spinal fractures
- Spinal fusions
- People who have a replacement disc, or other spinal surgical implants
- Failed back surgery
- Multiple surgeries without improvement
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Osteoporosis, or osteopenia
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spinal infection or Spinal tumor
- Patients on blood-thinning medication
Does Spinal Decompression Hurt?
Most people find it comfortable. Some feel a stretch or mild soreness, especially early on — tell us and we’ll adjust. You will feel the muscles stretching in and around your spine. Find out more about spinal decompression at our clinic.
Does Spinal Decompression Work?
Good-quality studies have not shown a clear benefit from traction for back pain, and NICE guideline NG59 advises against offering it for low back pain with or without sciatica. See our summary of the research.
Let’s Look At The Research
A Cochrane review of traction for low back pain (Wegner and colleagues, 2013) found that traction, alone or combined with other treatments, had little or no effect on pain, function or return to work compared with sham traction or other treatments [1]. The World Health Organization’s 2023 guideline on chronic low back pain also lists traction among the treatments it does not recommend for most people [2].
References
[2] WHO guideline for non-surgical management of chronic primary low back pain in adults (2023)
By Dr Lawrence Woods
August 18, 2021Book Your Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Appointment Today!
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Dr Lawrence Woods
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