The Basics of Spinal Decompression Therapy

spinal stenosis

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical traction based treatment that can effectively treat back, neck, arm, and leg pain. It works extremely well for treating herniated or bulging discs in the neck and lower back along with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, facet arthritis, failed back surgery syndrome, sciatica, and radiculopathy.

The FDA cleared spinal decompression therapy in 1996. It's extremely safe, affordable, and revolutionary.

How Does Spinal Decompression Work?

The treatment is traction-based, with gradual application and release of traction forces designed to "trick" the para-spinal muscles so they do not guard or spasm.

This creates a negative pressure on the spine, which then allows increased blood flow bringing along substantial oxygen and nutrients. This allows the protruded or herniated disc to be pulled back within the normal confines of the disc, which permits healing to occur.

What Conditions Benefit from Spinal Decompression?

繚 Herniated Discs Neck & Back
繚 Bulging Discs
繚 Degenerative Disc Disease
繚 Failed Surgery
繚 Sciatica
繚 Radiculopathy
繚 Spinal Arthritis
繚 Spinal Stenosis
繚 Facet Syndrome

Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Painful? How Many Sessions are Needed?

For the vast majority of patients, treatment is completely painless. A considerable amount of patients actually fall asleep during the sessions.

Based on research and our providers' clinical experience, the best results are achieved with 20 sessions over a six-week period. To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures sometimes are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation), chiropractic adjustments (when indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.

Are there Clinical Trials that Document the Effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?

There are quite a few actually, although none are Level 1 studies. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroimaging in 1998, Eyerman found in 20 patients that utilization of spinal decompression therapy resulted in disc herniation reduction and disc rehydration in over half of the patients.

A study in the American Journal of Pain Management by Shealy et al in 1997 showed that 86% of ruptured intervertebral disc patients achieved good to excellent results with decompression. Sciatica and back pain were relieved substantially and of the facet arthrosis patients, 75% obtained good to excellent results with spinal decompression.

One of the most well known studies on decompression therapy was published in the Orthopedic Technology Review in 2003 by Gionis et al. Out of 219 patients, 86% who completed treatment reported immediate resolution of their symptoms, while 84% remained pain free 90 days post-treatment. Physical examination findings showed improvement in 92% of the patients and remained intact in 89% of the patients 90 days after treatment.

Are there Conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is Not Indicated?

Decompression Treatment is not recommended for pregnant women, people with severe osteoporosis, or post spinal surgery with instrumentation. Spinal fusion surgery without instrumentation is okay as well as spinal surgery without a fusion.

Do Patients Also Receive Physical Therapy and Rehab Exercises?

Typically yes. To reduce inflammation and to assist in the spinal healing process, physical therapy along with rehab is usually added to strengthen the paraspinal musculature. Also passive therapies like ice (cryotherapy),heat, muscle stimulation, and chiropractic adjustments are added to the mix as well.

How Much Does it Cost and does Insurance cover it?

The cost for 20 sessions ranges typically from $1200 to $4500, which is very reasonable considering the cost and potential adverse outcomes associated with spine surgery.

It's debatable whether insurance covers spinal decompression therapy. Some practices advertise that it does but it can be potentially deceiving. There are some codes for vertebral traction but spinal decompression is not pure traction, it's a "traction-based" treatment. Most centers offering spinal decompression therefore offer it as a cash based fee for service treatment.

The Bottom Line

Spinal decompression therapy has saved many people from spinal surgery. According to a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, surgery is no more effective than non-invasive treatments, including chiropractic care, for patients with lumbar disc herniation causing sciatica.

It is extremely safe, FDA cleared, affordable, and very effective for many conditions such as back, neck, arm, and leg pain.