Spinal Decompression Therapy

Persistent back or neck pain can make day to day activities difficult. It can also limit your ability to stay active. When the pain in your spine is caused by pressure on the discs or nerves, spinal decompression therapy is one way to get meaningful relief.

At Sandia Injury Center, spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment that we use to gently relieve pressure within the spine. We also use it to promote healing and restore mobility for our patients.

What Is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression therapy is a specialized type of therapy that uses controlled traction to stretch the spine in a controlled and gradual manner. The process creates negative pressure within the spinal discs, which helps to relieve compression of the nerves and encourage the movement of nutrients, oxygen and fluids back into the spinal discs.

Unlike general traction, spinal decompression therapy is highly targeted, and it’s customized based on the patient’s condition and their comfort level.

How Spinal Decompression Works

When spinal discs become compressed due to injury, wear and tear, or poor posture, they can herniate or bulge. This puts pressure on nearby nerves, which leads to pain, numbness, or tingling.

Spinal decompression therapy works by:

Gently stretching the spine to relieve disc pressure
Creating space between vertebrae
Reducing nerve compression
Promoting rehydration of spinal discs
Supporting the body’s natural healing process

This type of controlled stretching helps to improve both structure and function within the spine.

Conditions Treated With Spinal Decompression

At Sandia Injury Center, we often recommend spinal decompression therapy for those who are dealing with conditions involving the disc or nerve compression. It is a common therapy that is included in personalized treatment plans.

Some of the conditions that might benefit from spinal decompression therapy include:

Pinched nerves
Spinal stenosis
Pain following auto accidents
Pain after workplace injuries

Herniated or bulging discs
Sciatica and radiating leg pain
Degenerative disc disease
Chronic lower back or neck pain

By addressing the root cause of pressure within the spine, this therapy can offer lasting relief for many patients.

What to Expect During Treatment

Spinal decompression therapy sessions are meant to be comfortable and relaxing. Patients lie on a specialized table while a harness system is used to apply controlled, yet gentle, traction.

During a spinal decompression therapy session, patients may experience:

A light stretching sensation in the spine
Alternating cycles of traction and relaxation
A comfortable, supported position throughout treatment
Sessions typically lasting 15 to 30 minutes

Most patients enjoy this type of therapy, and many even describe it as calming.

Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression offers a number of benefits for those who are looking for non-invasive pain relief and improved spinal health.

Spinal decompression therapy works by:

Gently stretching the spine to relieve disc pressure
Creating space between vertebrae
Reducing nerve compression
Promoting rehydration of spinal discs
Supporting the body’s natural healing process

This type of controlled stretching helps to improve both structure and function within the spine.

Man on spinal decompression table with harness

Pain and Injuries

Wrist Pain
Hip Pain
Chronic Pain
Elbow Pain
Neck Pain
Shoulder Pain

Foot Pain
Knee Pain
Back Pain
Sports Injury
Work Injury
Car Accidents

Chiropractic Care

Spinal Decompression
Intersegmental Mechanical Traction
Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Cryotherapy
Dry Hydrotherapy
Therapeutic Exercises
MyoFascial Release Techniques

Combining Decompression With Other Treatments

We often combine spinal decompression therapy with other therapies at Sandia Injury Center. This helps to maximize results, and it helps us to address more than one issue at a time.

Spinal decompression therapy can be paired with:

Chiropractic adjustments to improve alignment
Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension
Therapeutic exercises to strengthen supporting muscles
Postural correction to prevent future strain

This integrated approach provides more comprehensive and lasting outcomes.

Supporting Your Spine Between Visits

We often encourage patients to support their spine between visits, too, as it not only helps to support spinal health, but also helps to enhance the benefits that come with spinal decompression therapy.

Helpful recommendations include:

Maintaining proper posture during daily activities
Avoiding heavy lifting or using proper lifting techniques
Staying active with low-impact exercise
Incorporating stretching into your routine
Using supportive seating and sleeping positions

These habits can help protect the spine and reduce the likelihood of recurring issues.

Find Relief Without Surgery

Spinal pain that is caused by disc or nerve compression can be very painful and difficult to manage. However, effective treatment options like spinal decompression therapy can offer a safe and non-invasive solution that targets the source of the problem.

At Sandia Injury Center, our patients always get personalized care that is designed to relieve their pain, restore their function, and improve their overall quality of life. With the right approach, it’s possible to move more comfortably and return to your normal routine.

If back or neck pain is limiting your life, spinal decompression therapy may be the solution that helps you move forward with confidence and lasting relief.