We’ve had an exciting week in the clinic as we welcome Dr Chris Wallace to the team!
Chris has been practising at a clinic in Shepherd’s Bush for the past four years. He’s originally from South Africa and trained at the Barcelona College of Chiropractic, so he brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and different techniques with him.
Chris will be taking over Dr Charlie’s patient base in West Byfleet, while Charlie moves across to our Addlestone clinic. We’ve had lots of requests for a female practitioner in Addlestone, so we’re really pleased that she’ll now be available there. If you’ve been struggling with a recent issue or would prefer to see a female chiropractor, make sure you get booked in with her.
We’re also running a couple of special offers at the moment. You can come in for a StimPod session for anyone struggling with nerve pain, neuropathy or other neuropathic issues. If you’d like to find out whether either of these could help you, please get in touch and we’ll get you booked in.
The summer holidays are officially here, so good luck to all the parents out there!
We had the kids’ leavers’ service on Wednesday and the vicar said something that really stuck with me. He said that parents sometimes dread the summer holidays. They can feel like a very long time and that the hours between 3pm to 7pm can sometimes pass slowly but the years when your children are aged between 3 and 7 disappear incredibly quickly.
I thought that was such a good reminder. I definitely know the feeling of getting to half five, climbing the walls and counting down until bedtime. However, those years really do fly by, so I’m going to try my best to enjoy the chaos.
We’re also getting ready to head off to France next Friday. We’ll be loading up the van.
Have you ever had that feeling where your back just won’t let you stand up straight?
Or maybe you’ve experienced pain shooting down your leg every time you sit for too long, making even the shortest car journey feel like an endurance event.
I often hear people say, “It feels like something is trapped in my back.” And in many cases, that description isn’t far from what’s happening.
Before we jump into spinal decompression, let me tell you about one of our lovely patients, Sarah (not her real name).
Sarah came to see us after months of struggling with lower back pain that travelled into her calf. She’d tried resting, stretching, painkillers, even buying a fancy ergonomic chair for her home office. While some things helped for a day or two, the pain always crept back.
What Sarah didn’t realise was that the problem wasn’t simply tight muscle, it was the pressure building inside one of the discs in her lower back.
What Is Spinal Decompression?
Think of the discs in your spine like little jelly filled cushions sitting between each vertebra.
Their job is to absorb shock every time you walk, run, bend or lift. Over time, those discs can become compressed through injury, poor posture, repetitive movements or simply the wear and tear of everyday life.
When a disc becomes irritated or starts to bulge, it can place pressure on nearby nerves. That’s often when people experience:
- Pain travelling into the leg (sciatica)
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Aching in the lower back or neck
- Pain when sitting for long periods
Spinal decompression is a gentle, computer controlled treatment that aims to reduce pressure within these discs.
Rather than forcing anything back into place, it slowly and carefully creates space between the vertebrae, allowing the disc to experience less pressure and giving irritated nerves a chance to settle.
I often describe it to patients like letting a sponge expand again after you’ve been squeezing it.
Why Does Taking Pressure Off Matter? (Understanding What Is Spinal Decompression? Benefits for Your Health.)
Imagine standing on a garden hose.
The water struggles to flow because the hose is being compressed.
Once you take your foot away, everything flows much more freely.
While our spine is obviously much more complex than a hosepipe, the principle is similar. Reducing pressure around an irritated disc may help decrease irritation to nearby nerves and improve comfort during everyday movement.
For many people, that’s the first step towards getting back to walking the dog, gardening, playing golf or simply sleeping through the night.
What Does Spinal Decompression Feel Like?
This is probably the question we’re asked most.
Most people expect it to involve lots of pulling or cracking.
Actually…
It’s surprisingly relaxing.
You’ll lie comfortably on the decompression table while a harness gently supports the area being treated. The machine gradually applies precise, gentle traction before easing off again in repeated cycles.
Many patients tell us they barely notice it after the first few minutes. Some even fall asleep.
There should never be sharp pain during treatment and the programme is adjusted specifically for each individual.
Is Spinal Decompression Right for Everyone?
Not necessarily.
This is something I always explain during an assessment.
Spinal decompression isn’t a magic fix and it certainly isn’t suitable for every type of back or neck pain.
It tends to be most helpful for people experiencing conditions such as:
- Disc bulges or herniations
- Sciatica
- Nerve irritation in the neck or lower back
- Degenerative disc changes
- Persistent back pain that hasn’t improved with rest alone
However, if your pain is coming from another structure, such as the facet joints, muscles, inflammatory conditions or certain medical issues, other treatments may be more appropriate.
That’s why a proper examination is so important before deciding on the best treatment plan.
It’s Rarely Just About the Machine
One thing I always remind patients is that spinal decompression is only one piece of the puzzle.
If we simply reduce pressure on the spine but don’t address why that pressure built up in the first place, the problem is far more likely to return.
- Chiropractic adjustments where appropriate
- Sports rehabilitation exercises
- Mobility work
- Core strengthening
- Postural advice
- Simple lifestyle changes that reduce stress on the spine
Think of decompression as creating an opportunity for your body to recover and rehabilitation as helping it stay that way.
What Can You Do at Home?
Whether you need decompression or not, there are several simple habits that can help keep your spine happier.
Try to:
- Avoid sitting in one position for hours without moving.
- Get up every 30–45 minutes if you work at a desk.
- Keep walking, even short walks can help nourish your spinal discs.
- Strengthen your core gradually rather than avoiding movement altogether.
- Lift with your legs and avoid twisting while carrying heavy objects.
Remember, our discs don’t have their own direct blood supply. They rely on movement to receive nutrients, so gentle, regular motion is often one of the best things you can do.
The Bottom Line
Living with back or neck pain can be exhausting. It affects your sleep, your mood, your work and even the simple things you enjoy doing.
Spinal decompression isn’t the answer for everyone but for the right person, it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan designed to reduce pressure on irritated spinal structures and support recovery.
If you’ve been told you have a disc problem, are experiencing sciatica or you’re simply unsure what’s causing your symptoms, the first step isn’t guessing, it’s getting assessed properly.
Every spine is different and the best treatment starts with understanding what’s actually driving your pain.
If you’re wondering whether spinal decompression could be appropriate for you, we’d be happy to guide you through a thorough assessment and explain all of your options. Book a discovery visit with our team and together we’ll help you find the most appropriate path back to doing the things you love.
References
- North American Spine Society. (2020). Evidence-based clinical guidelines for multidisciplinary spine care: Diagnosis and treatment of low back pain .
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2020). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: Assessment and management (NICE Guideline NG59).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (n.d.). Herniated disk in the lower back.
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Herniated disk.
