Back pain is an extremely common health condition. In fact, experts estimate that up to 80 percent of people will experience low back pain at least once in their lifetime.[1] If you are one of the many Americans struggling with back or neck pain, you may be looking for non-invasive and drug-free ways to treat your pain. You may have heard of the therapies known as spinal traction and spinal decompression. Spinal traction and decompression can be helpful tools when it comes to relieving neck pain and back pain. They can also help with the symptoms that go along with back pain, like numbness or tingling. While you may have a general idea of what these two therapies entail, it’s important to know the difference between them.
At Healthcare Associates of Texas, our physical medicine team is skilled in helping you manage pain conditions, especially those related to your spinal health. Here’s what you need to know about spinal traction and spinal decompression therapy, including their definitions, how they can help, what to expect during therapy sessions, and their potential risks.
What is spinal decompression?
You may be wondering: “what is spinal decompression?” There are two types of spinal decompression, and it’s important to understand the difference. Surgical decompression of the spine is an invasive operation that is performed to relieve pressure in your back. However, spinal decompression performed by a physical medicine provider is a non-surgical, and non-invasive way to relieve pressure in your back.
Spinal decompression is a new form of therapy that was developed based on the principles of spinal traction. As a human on planet earth, your spine is constantly subject to the downward pull of gravity. Gravity can put pressure on the discs that lie in between each of your vertebrae, causing gradual wear and tear. In times of injury or strain, the pressure on your discs can be so intense that a disc herniates, or bulges, into a narrow space in your spinal canal. This can be painful, and it can put pain on your nerve roots as they exit your spinal cord.
Spinal traction refers to the act of applying an upward pulling force to your spine in order to take pressure off of the structures of the spine. This can help relieve pressure on your discs and improve the symptoms of back or neck pain. The process of spinal traction has been practiced for millennia.[2] Spinal decompression is a new, advanced form of spinal traction that uses specialized machines and computer software.
How is spinal decompression done?
Spinal decompression is done along with a trained provider. You will be placed into a comfortable position on a specialized decompression table. You will be asked to either lie flat on your back or on your stomach. Then, you will be secured into position using stabilizers. The table is connected to a computer. Your provider will input specific criteria into the computer program and the table will begin to move in various ways. The program is personalized to your own body size, the location of your pain, and your medical conditions. The pulling forces will change periodically, meaning they are “intermittent.” The computer program will make adjustments in a gradual way. This is so that you won’t feel any sudden movements and won’t experience muscle spasms. Your provider will discuss ahead of time how long your session will last. Usually, it lasts under an hour. Your provider may also recommend other treatments along with a spinal decompression session.
Who does a spinal decompression help?
Spinal decompression can help anyone who is suffering from neck or back pain that is related to a herniated or bulging disc. There are certain people who should not get spinal decompression treatment. These groups include people with the following health conditions, among others:[3]
- Pregnancy
- Aortic aneurysm
- Osteomyelitis
- Osteoporosis
- Ligament instability
- Spinal cord tumors
- Myelopathy
- Hernia
- Spinal implants
Make sure to tell your provider about your health conditions before any treatment starts.
What conditions does a spinal decompression help with?
Spinal decompression can help with a number of health conditions.[4] These include:
- Bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis
- Radiculopathy
- Foraminal stenosis
- Myofascial tightness
Your provider may recommend spinal decompression for other health conditions, as well.
What are the potential risks of spinal decompression?
Like any healthcare therapy, spinal decompression does have potential risks. These risks include soreness or bruising after a treatment. Major risks are rare. But they include spinal cord injury, injury to peripheral nerves or blood vessels, or damage to other tissues.
What is spinal traction?
After learning about spinal decompression, you may be wondering, “what is spinal traction?” Spinal traction is the more general term for applying a controlled upward force to relieve pressure on your spine. General spinal traction can be done manually or mechanically. Your provider may be able to teach you some spinal traction techniques that you can do on your own at home to help improve your back pain.
What is the difference between spinal decompression and traction?
Spinal decompression is an advanced form of spinal traction. Both procedures apply an upward force to help take pressure off your spinal column and relieve pain. Spinal traction tends to apply static force, while spinal decompression uses a series of intermittent forces. Overall, spinal decompression is more sophisticated because it uses a programmable table and computer technology. For this reason, spinal decompression may be a more expensive therapy than pure spinal traction. Research has shown that both methods can help relieve the pain of disc herniation.[5] Your provider can work with you to determine which method may be most beneficial.
How is spinal traction done?
Spinal traction may be performed in two ways: manual or mechanical. During manual traction, a provider may use a pulling force on your head or neck in order to relieve pressure on your spine. They may manually manipulate other tissues and pressure points to help take further pressure off your discs. A provider may also use mechanical traction. This may include a device such as an inversion table, or a harness and pulley system.
Who does a spinal traction help?
Spinal traction can be helpful for the same groups of people who may benefit from spinal decompression. If you are suffering from back pain or neck pain resulting from a herniated or bulging disc, spinal traction may help.
There are certain people who should not get a spinal traction treatment. These groups include people with the following health conditions, among others:[6]
- Pregnancy
- Aortic aneurysm
- Osteomyelitis
- Osteoporosis
- Ligament instability
- Spinal cord tumors
- Myelopathy
- Hernia
- Spinal implants
There may be other reasons for you to consider an alternative to spinal traction. Make sure to tell your provider about your health conditions before any treatment starts.
What conditions does a spinal traction help with?
Spinal traction may help with health conditions involving your back or neck. These include:
- Bulging or herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica
- Spondylosis
- Radiculopathy
- Foraminal stenosis
- Myofascial tightness
Your provider may recommend spinal traction for other health conditions, as well, including to relieve pain from certain neck fractures.[7]
Potential risks of spinal traction
As is the case with any healthcare therapy, spinal traction does have risks. During or after a treatment, you may feel soreness. You may have skin changes such as redness or bruising from increased friction or pulling during a procedure. Major risks are rare, but they include injury to your blood vessels, bones, nerves, or spinal cord.
What can patients expect from a spinal decompression or traction appointment?
Whether you decide to undergo spinal decompression or spinal traction, there are certain things you may expect from your appointment. There is nothing specific you need to do to prepare for your appointment. Once you arrive, your provider will discuss with you your pain condition and your medical history, including any current or past injuries. They will ask about your specific goals for treatment and about what other forms of treatment have been helpful in the past. They will then explain the various forms of therapy that could be helpful.
If your provider recommends a spinal traction or spinal decompression session, they will show you how to get into a comfortable position. You will not need to remove any clothing during a spinal traction or spinal decompression session. Sessions may vary in their length, ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. Your provider will explain what to expect from each session, including how long it will last. They may recommend a series of sessions in order to get the maximum benefit.
How Boardwalk Physical Medicine can help with pain management
At Boardwalk Physical Medicine, we want to increase your wellness in every aspect of your life. This includes pain management. If you have been suffering from a neck or back pain condition, our physical medicine team can help. Spinal traction and spinal decompression are just two of the tools in the provider’s toolbox when it comes to improving spinal health. Make sure to contact us today to learn more about how our skilled providers can assist you with neck and back pain management today.
Sources:
[1] Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/
[2] Cervical Traction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/
[3] Cervical Traction: Contraindications. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/
[4] Spinal Decompression Therapy. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10874-spinal-decompression-therapy
[5] Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4339166/
[6] Cervical Traction. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/
[7] Cervical Traction. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23093-cervical-traction