Decompression Therapy
Mechanical Spinal Decompression is a therapeutic technique frequently used by chiropractors to create space between vertebrae, stretch muscles, and relieve pressure on nerves and/or the spinal cord. Other names for spinal decompression include Vertebral Axial Decompression, Spinal Traction, or Axial Traction. This method is non-invasive and typically painless.
Anatomy Affected by Spinal Decompression
The spinal column, or vertebral column, is a highly stable structure composed of vertebrae (bones) that protect the spinal cord. Between each vertebra is a disc made of cartilage. Nerves originate in the spinal cord and pass through a small opening (called a foramen) on each side of a vertebra to reach the rest of the body. These nerves detect changes in temperature and position, signal muscles, and produce pain when they are irritated, injured, or damaged. Gravity and physical activity can exert pressure on our spinal column daily.
This pressure “squeezes” some fluid out of the discs, which the body replaces at night during rest. Imagine a kitchen sponge: when wet, it is softer and absorbs shocks more effectively. The more you squeeze it, the more water escapes, but when you add water to a dry sponge, it absorbs quickly and puffs up. This is similar to how our discs function.
Spinal decompression mainly targets the discs and nerves in the spine. In a healthy spine, the edges of the vertebrae and discs are aligned to create a smooth curve, and there is plenty of space for the nerves between the vertebrae. Over time or due to injury, degeneration, or inflammation, the discs can flatten. This compression can put pressure on the nerves, leading to pain, weak muscles, or changes in sensation. In such cases, the discs need extra space to rehydrate and provide optimal room for the nerves exiting the spinal cord. Spinal decompression creates additional space between the vertebrae through gentle traction, which helps facilitate the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids into the discs.
What Does Spinal Decompression Feel Like?
Spinal decompression feels like gentle, yet strong, stretching of the neck or low back, depending on the area being treated. For example, if the problem is in your lower back, a harness will be placed around your abdomen and just above your hips, and you may have a bolster or a small stool under your legs. The harness should be tight and secure, but not so tight that you can’t breathe comfortably. When the pulling begins, you may feel your entire body shift slightly for a few seconds, and then you will feel a gentle pull on the lower back. We will closely monitor you to make sure there is no discomfort during therapy. A device known as a flexion-distraction table may also be used, which is a flexible table that gently flexes the body in repeated motions to open spaces between the vertebrae.