A review of 31 clinical studies on lumbar disc herniation revealed that spinal decompression therapy consistently produced measurable improvements in the spine.
Patients weren’t just feeling better their discs were actually healing, with imaging confirming meaningful structural changes after treatment
Imaging showed regression in 96% of sequestrated discs, 70% of extrusions, and 41% of protrusions. Even more impressive, 43% of sequestrated discs and 15% of extruded discs completely resolved on follow-up scans.
And while the word “conservative” may sound passive, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy (NSDT) is anything but. For years, it’s been lumped together with traditional traction, but the two approaches couldn’t be more different.
I’ve personally seen patients respond in ways that confirm what the research shows. In this post, we’ll explore how spinal decompression therapy actually works, why it’s not the same as traction, and how it may be the missing step for many back pain sufferers.
What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment designed to reduce pressure on damaged or herniated discs. Unlike older traction methods, which relied on steady pulling without much control.
Modern decompression systems use advanced technology to respond to the body in real time. That means treatment is safer, more precise, and far more effective.
At The Disc Chiropractic in Wheat Ridge, CO, we use the Triton DTS spinal decompression system, a computer-guided table that constantly monitors and adjusts tension as your spine responds.
Here’s what a session looks like:
- Comfortable setup: You’re gently secured on the Triton DTS table with supportive harnesses at the upper and lower body.
- Targeted treatment: We program the machine to focus on the specific disc level, adjusting angle and force based on your exam and imaging results.
- Controlled decompression: The table applies a gradual, measured stretch to the spine, avoiding the sudden pull that often triggered muscle guarding with old traction methods.
- Creating negative pressure: Pressure inside the disc drops significantly—sometimes by more than 100 mmHg—helping herniated material retract away from nearby nerves.
- Disc rehydration: With space restored, nutrients and fluids flow back into the disc, promoting natural healing and recovery.
- Relief and mobility: As nerve and joint pressure decreases, patients often notice improved movement and reduced pain.
Most people describe the experience as comfortable and even relaxing. Over several sessions, the Triton DTS can help restore disc height, and start the body’s natural healing process.
What the Research Found Spinal Decompression Therapy
One of the strongest pieces of evidence comes from a controlled trial involving 60 patients with lumbar disc herniation. Half of the group received a full course of non-surgical spinal decompression therapy ten sessions over eight weeks while the other half received a sham version designed to mimic treatment without actually delivering decompression.
The results spoke for themselves:
- Leg pain relief was greater in the decompression group by the two-month mark.
- Disability scores (used to measure daily function) improved more in the decompression group at both two and three months.
MRI scans confirmed structural change:
- 27.6% reduction in disc herniation index in the decompression group.
- Only 7.1% reduction in the placebo group.
- 26.9% of patients in the decompression group achieved over 50% reduction in disc herniation.
These results make one thing clear: spinal decompression therapy isn’t just about temporary pain relief. It drives real, measurable healing inside the disc—something conservative care has rarely been able to prove before.
How Does It Work Differently Than Traditional Traction?
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy takes a very different approach compared to traditional traction. Instead of relying on a single, steady pull, it uses controlled, adaptive movements that reduce muscle resistance and allow for true disc decompression. Here’s what sets it apart:
Real-Time Sensor Feedback
Modern decompression tables constantly monitor resistance during each pull. If the body starts to tense or push back, the system automatically adjusts the force. This keeps treatment comfortable and prevents the muscles from fighting against the therapy.
Relaxation for Better Results
One of the biggest problems with old traction was that patients tensed up, limiting effectiveness. Decompression ramps up gradually, allowing the body to stay relaxed so the spine can stretch the way it needs to.
Custom Angles and Directional Control
Every spine and every herniation is different. Some push backward, others off to the side. Decompression therapy lets us adjust both the angle and direction of pull to target the exact area needing relief.
The “Zero-Gravity” Effect
During therapy, the spine is stretched in a way that simulates weightlessness. This unloads pressure on the discs, joints, and nerves, while helping fluid and nutrients flow back into the disc. It can also create space along the posterior longitudinal ligament, supporting the retraction of herniated material.
Gradual, Stepwise Increases
Instead of hitting the spine with one strong pull, decompression increases force in careful stages. Each session builds on the last, giving the disc repeated exposure to negative pressure that encourages rehydration, reduces inflammation, and promotes structural healing.
Final Thoughts
Spinal decompression therapy has advanced far beyond the days of basic traction. With advancements in technology, treatment can be tailored to the individual disc level, giving patients targeted relief that was once only possible through surgery.
If you’ve been caught in that frustrating middle ground, where nothing seems to fully resolve your back pain but you’re not ready for invasive procedures.
Spinal decompression may be the option you’ve been searching for. Many of our patients have returned to walking, working, and living without the constant fear of their back flaring up again.
And we’re here to help you do the same.
Book Your $97 New Patient Special Now or Call: 720-573-4910
FAQs About Spinal Decompression Therapy
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy Painful?
No, it is not painful at all. Real-time sensors adjust tension based on your body’s response. This prevents sudden pulling or muscle guarding. If discomfort occurs, the settings can be adjusted immediately to reduce strain.
How Many Sessions Are Usually Needed?
Most patients with lumbar disc herniation respond best to 15 to 20 sessions spread over several weeks. This schedule allows the disc to respond gradually to repeated traction. Improvement is monitored throughout the process, and care is adjusted based on your body’s response.
Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help With Sciatica?
Yes, spinal decompression therapy can help relieve sciatic pain when it’s caused by disc herniation. Decompression lowers the pressure inside the disc and its compression to nearby nerves that causes radiating pain down the leg.