Spinal Decompression at Advanced Health Chiropractic

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical, motorized traction treatment used to treat disc injuries and the nerve pain that results from them. It is FDA-cleared and supported by a meaningful body of clinical research demonstrating its effectiveness for conditions like herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease. At Advanced Health Chiropractic, spinal decompression is one of our most important tools for patients who have been told surgery may be their only option.

The key distinction between spinal decompression and simple traction is precision and control. Spinal decompression uses a computer-controlled table that applies traction at specific angles, forces, and intervals calculated for each patient's anatomy and condition. This precision is what generates genuine negative pressure inside the disc — the therapeutic mechanism that makes decompression uniquely effective for disc injuries. Simple manual traction doesn't achieve this with enough consistency or control to produce the same result.

For patients living with the burning, shooting, or aching pain of a compressed nerve — whether it travels down the leg as sciatica or into the arm as cervical radiculopathy — spinal decompression addresses the source of that pain directly. Rather than blocking pain signals with medication or removing disc material with surgery, decompression creates conditions that allow the body to heal the disc itself.

The core mechanism of spinal decompression is the creation of negative intradiscal pressure — pressure inside the disc that is lower than what surrounds it. Here's what that means in practice: a healthy disc is under constant compressive load from gravity and body weight. When a disc is herniated or bulging, that displaced material presses outward toward nearby nerve roots, causing pain, weakness, and sensory changes. By slowly and cyclically distracting the vertebrae apart at precise angles and forces, the decompression table creates a partial vacuum inside the disc space. This negative pressure essentially pulls the displaced disc material back toward center — away from the nerve. At the same time, the negative pressure draws in fluid and nutrients from surrounding tissue, rehydrating and nourishing the disc, which helps it heal.

Each session involves a series of traction and relaxation cycles, controlled by a computer program tailored to your specific disc level, the angle of pull, and your weight and tolerance. The table pulls gently, holds, then releases — typically cycling through 10 to 15 repetitions over the course of a 15 to 20-minute session. The result is a sustained, controlled therapeutic effect that manual treatment cannot replicate.

This treatment is often recommended for patients with:

• Herniated or ruptured discs in the lumbar or cervical spine, particularly when the herniation is causing nerve pain that radiates into the limbs
• Bulging discs that haven't yet herniated but are causing persistent local or referred pain
• Sciatica — pain, tingling, or numbness running from the lower back down one or both legs — when caused by disc compression of the sciatic nerve
• Degenerative disc disease, where disc height loss is creating nerve compression and joint stress
• Cervical radiculopathy — nerve pain, tingling, or weakness radiating from the neck into the arm or hand
• Some post-surgical cases where persistent pain after a prior spinal surgery is related to disc or nerve issues at adjacent levels

When you arrive for a decompression session, you'll be fitted with a pelvic harness (for lumbar decompression) or a cervical harness (for neck decompression) that attaches to the motorized traction table. The harness is snug but not uncomfortable — it's what allows the table to apply the traction force through your pelvis or neck rather than through your skin alone. Your doctor will have already programmed your specific protocol into the system: the angle of distraction, the peak force, the hold and release timing, and the total session duration.

Once you're positioned and the session begins, you'll feel a slow, gentle pulling sensation as the table distraction cycles begin. It should not be painful — if it is, that's important feedback and your doctor will adjust the protocol. Most patients find the sessions comfortable enough to read, listen to podcasts, or rest during them. Sessions last 15 to 20 minutes, and you can return to normal light activity immediately afterward. We generally recommend avoiding heavy lifting or high-impact exercise on the day of your decompression session. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — jeans and belts make positioning more difficult. Your doctor may also combine your decompression session with chiropractic adjustments or Red Light therapy on the same visit to maximize the therapeutic effect.

Spinal decompression is not a single-session treatment — it's a course of care. Most patients in our decompression program begin to feel meaningful improvement within the first six to ten sessions, which typically means two to four weeks into treatment. Early improvements often include reduced intensity of radiating pain, less frequent pain episodes, or improved ability to sit and walk. This is encouraging, but it's important to complete the full course to achieve lasting structural change in the disc itself.

A typical decompression course at Advanced Health consists of 20 to 30 sessions delivered over six to eight weeks, with sessions scheduled three to five times per week in the early phase and tapering toward the end. The total number of sessions is determined by your diagnosis, the severity of the disc injury, and how your body responds. Decompression is always integrated with your broader care plan — chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy exercises, and in some cases CBP corrections — because the disc heals best when spinal alignment and muscular support are addressed at the same time. Most patients who complete a full course achieve durable relief that they maintain with a home exercise program and periodic maintenance visits as needed.

Is spinal decompression painful?

No. Decompression sessions should be comfortable throughout. The traction force is applied gently and gradually — not abruptly — and the cyclic hold-and-release pattern is designed to work with your body rather than against it. Some patients feel mild muscle fatigue or slight soreness after their first few sessions, similar to starting a new exercise, but sharp pain during a session is not normal and would prompt an immediate protocol adjustment. The vast majority of patients find sessions relaxing.

Am I a candidate for spinal decompression?

Most patients with disc-related injuries are candidates for decompression therapy. The main contraindications include severe osteoporosis, vertebral fracture, spinal instability, spinal tumors, and pregnancy. Patients with certain types of spinal hardware from prior surgeries may also not be candidates, depending on the location and type of hardware. Your doctor will review your medical history, imaging, and physical examination findings during your new patient exam to determine whether decompression is appropriate for your specific situation. We won't recommend it unless we genuinely believe it's right for you.

Can I have spinal decompression after back surgery?

In some cases, yes. Patients who have had discectomy (removal of a portion of a herniated disc) and continue to have pain, or who have developed problems at disc levels adjacent to a fusion, may be candidates for decompression. However, patients with spinal fusion hardware at the affected level are generally not candidates for decompression at that level. This is a case-by-case determination that requires a careful review of your surgical history and imaging. Bring your operative reports and most recent imaging to your new patient exam and we can give you a clear answer.

Does insurance cover spinal decompression?

Coverage for spinal decompression varies significantly by insurance plan. Some plans cover it under physical medicine or chiropractic benefits; others don't cover it at all. We recommend calling your insurer to ask specifically about coverage for "non-surgical spinal decompression" or "motorized traction" (billing codes vary). Our team can help you understand your benefits and will provide transparent pricing for any portion that isn't covered. Many patients find the out-of-pocket cost worthwhile given the alternative — for patients who might otherwise need surgery, decompression is substantially less expensive and carries far less risk.