Neck pain is a common issue that can stem from various causes such as poor posture, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or trauma. One increasingly popular treatment for certain types of neck pain is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.
What Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a traction-based therapy that gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerves. It is non-invasive and usually performed on a motorized table controlled by a computer.
How It Works:
1. Patient Setup: You’re strapped to a table (lying face-up or face-down).
2. Gentle Traction: The machine gently pulls the head or lower body, creating negative pressure in the spinal discs.
3. Disc Rehydration: The negative pressure is thought to help retract bulging or herniated discs and promote the flow of healing nutrients into the disc.
4. Relief of Pressure: It may relieve pressure on compressed nerves, reducing pain and inflammation.
Conditions It May Help:
● Herniated or bulging cervical discs
● Degenerative disc disease
● Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
● Facet joint syndrome
● Chronic neck pain not responding to other treatments
● Headaches
● Arm tingling, numbness & pain
Not everyone is a candidate. Conditions like severe osteoporosis, spinal fractures, or spinal tumors are contraindications.
Benefits:
● Non-invasive alternative to surgery
● Painless (usually)
● Can improve disc hydration and mobility
● Often part of a comprehensive treatment plan (e.g., with physical therapy)
What to Expect in a Typical Program:
● Duration: 15–30 minutes per session
● Frequency: 3–5 times per week
● Length: 4–8 weeks on average
● Often combined with chiropractic adjustments