We managed to get out to see some fireworks on Friday night, which was great fun. Little Jack hasn’t been feeling 100% recently, so it was particularly nice to get everyone out of the house and enjoy a bit of fresh air and some family time. There’s something lovely about fireworks at this time of year, even if it does mean standing around in the cold!
Back in the clinic, I’ve had a really enjoyable week. It’s been brilliant catching up with so many of you again after having a couple of weeks away. As much as I love spending time with the kids, I think any parent will agree that a holiday with three young children isn’t always quite as relaxing as you imagine! Sometimes coming back to work feels like a bit of a holiday in itself. Also to remind us that we’ve got another Knee Pain and Stimpod Workshop, coming up on Tuesday at 5:00PM and 6:00PM consecutively at Silvermere Golf Club. Click here to register.
It’s been great to get back to helping people, seeing familiar faces and getting stuck into clinic life again.
On the sporting front, we’ve got another action packed weekend ahead. First up is rugby training this morning, followed by a big trip up to Ipswich with Kit to watch Bournemouth.
The Cherries have been on an incredible run recently and we’re hoping they can keep it going. Although, knowing Bournemouth, this is exactly the sort of game where we’ll come unstuck against a team we really should be beating! Fingers crossed they prove me wrong.
I’ve also been trying to get a bit more golf in recently, although I think it’s fair to say there’s still plenty of room for improvement. I’ve been getting a few tips along the way, so hopefully some of them will eventually make a difference. For now, I think I’ll stick to cycling and triathlons as my main sports!
And finally, we’ve had some more activity over on our Instagram page this week, so make sure you head over and have a look at what the team have been up to. There’s always plenty going on behind the scenes in the clinics.
What if there was another way to approach that stubborn back pain that just won’t seem to go away?
Perhaps you’ve tried stretching, changing your sitting position, taking more walks or even resting for a few days. Things improve for a little while, but before you know it, that familiar discomfort returns.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Especially when back pain starts interfering with the things you genuinely enjoy doing.
Back pain has an annoying way of creeping into everyday life. One minute, you’re getting on with your day; the next, you’re thinking twice about picking up your children, enjoying your favourite sport or even sitting through a long car journey.
When I speak to patients struggling with persistent back pain or sciatica, one question often comes up:
“Is there anything else I can try to help my back feel better?”
One treatment you may have heard about is spinal decompression therapy.
But what exactly is it? How does it work? And, most importantly, could it be appropriate for you?
Let’s explore.
What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Imagine your spine as a tower of building blocks, with little cushions sitting between each one.
Those cushions are called intervertebral discs.
They help distribute forces through your spine, absorb some of the stresses of movement, and allow your back to bend, twist and move comfortably.
However, like other structures in the body, spinal discs can change over time. Sometimes, a disc can bulge or herniate, meaning part of it extends beyond its usual boundaries.
In certain cases, this can irritate a nearby nerve and contribute to symptoms such as back pain, leg pain, tingling or numbness.
This is where spinal decompression therapy enters the conversation.
Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy uses a specialised treatment table to apply controlled, gentle pulling forces to the spine.
The aim is to temporarily reduce mechanical loading on certain spinal structures.
You might think of it as creating a little breathing room for an area of your back that has been feeling uncomfortable.
However, it’s important to understand that spinal decompression has not been proven to permanently create space between your discs or pull a bulging disc back into place.
How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?
One of the biggest surprises for patients learning about spinal decompression is how straightforward the treatment can be.
Rather than involving surgery or injections, non-surgical spinal decompression uses a motorised table.
Here’s what a typical session may involve:
- Getting comfortable: You’ll lie on a specialised treatment table, usually on your back or stomach, depending on the equipment and treatment approach.
- Gentle support: A harness or support system helps position your body securely.
- Controlled stretching: The machine applies carefully controlled pulling forces, often alternating between periods of traction and relaxation.
- Time to relax: You’ll remain on the table while the clinician monitors your comfort and response.
You may notice a gentle stretching sensation but treatment shouldn’t involve forcing you through significant pain.
The exact treatment approach varies according to the equipment, the individual and their clinical assessment.
Could Spinal Decompression Help With Sciatica and Back Pain?
Now for the question everyone wants answered.
Does spinal decompression therapy actually work?
The answer is more nuanced than some advertisements might suggest.
A 2022 randomised controlled trial published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders studied 60 people with lumbar radiculopathy, a condition involving irritation or compression of a nerve in the lower back.
The researchers found that participants receiving non-surgical decompression alongside routine physiotherapy experienced greater improvements in several measures, including pain and disability, than those receiving physiotherapy alone.
That’s encouraging.
However, larger reviews have been less positive. A Cochrane review found that spinal traction generally offered little or no meaningful improvement for people with low back pain, with or without sciatica.
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) also advises against routinely offering traction for low back pain or sciatica.
So, what should you take away from this?
Spinal decompression is an area of ongoing clinical interest but the evidence does not currently support it as a reliably effective treatment for everyone.
A proper assessment matters far more than simply choosing a treatment because it sounds promising.
Who Might Be Interested in Spinal Decompression Therapy?
People often ask about spinal decompression when experiencing:
- Persistent lower back discomfort.
- Sciatica, including pain travelling into the buttock or leg.
- Symptoms associated with a bulging or herniated disc.
- Neck discomfort associated with certain disc conditions.
- Back pain that hasn’t improved as expected with previous care.
These symptoms don’t automatically mean spinal decompression is appropriate.
For example, back pain can arise from muscles, joints, nerves and several other structures. Different causes may require very different approaches.
Certain spinal conditions, including instability, fractures or significant neurological problems, can make traction unsuitable.
That’s why I always encourage patients to understand what may be contributing to their symptoms before pursuing a particular treatment.
What About Exercise, Rehabilitation and Chiropractic Care?
Here’s something I often remind patients:
Your back needs more than a single treatment to stay healthy.
Whether or not spinal decompression is appropriate, movement and rehabilitation remain important parts of managing many common back problems.
NICE recommends supporting people with low back pain and sciatica to remain active and consider suitable exercise programmes.
In practice, a personalised care plan might include:
- Strengthening exercises: Building the muscles that support your spine and help you move confidently.
- Gentle mobility work: Helping your back and hips move more comfortably.
- Movement breaks: Reducing long periods spent in the same position.
- Ergonomic guidance: Making everyday activities, including desk work, more comfortable.
- Manual therapy: Including appropriate chiropractic techniques alongside exercise when clinically indicated.
The goal isn’t simply to feel better for an afternoon.
It’s to help you return to the activities that make life enjoyable and build confidence in your body’s ability to move.
Five Everyday Habits to Support a Healthier Back
Whether you’re receiving treatment or simply trying to look after your spine, small changes can make a meaningful difference.
1. Keep Moving Throughout the Day
Your spine is designed to move.
If you spend hours sitting, try standing up, stretching gently or walking around regularly.
2. Build Strength Gradually
Walking, swimming and appropriate strengthening exercises can all contribute to physical fitness. Find activities that suit your current abilities and gradually build from there.
3. Change Positions Often
There’s no single perfect posture that everyone must maintain.
Instead, aim for variety. Alternate between sitting, standing and moving whenever practical.
4. Make Sleep Comfortable
Try using pillows to support a comfortable sleeping position. For example, some people find a pillow between their knees helpful when lying on their side.
5. Don’t Ignore Persistent Symptoms
If your pain keeps returning, affects your sleep or limits your daily activities, it’s worth having it assessed rather than repeatedly guessing what’s causing it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Decompression Therapy
Is spinal decompression therapy painful?
Treatment is generally intended to feel like a controlled stretch rather than a painful procedure. However, some people experience increased discomfort. Tell your clinician immediately if symptoms worsen during treatment.
How many spinal decompression sessions will I need?
There’s no scientifically established number of sessions that works for everyone. Any proposed treatment course should be based on your individual assessment, response and clearly agreed goals.
Is spinal decompression the same as chiropractic adjustments?
No. Spinal decompression uses sustained or intermittent pulling forces, whereas chiropractic adjustments involve specific manual techniques applied to joints. They work differently and have different evidence bases.
Can spinal decompression cure a slipped disc?
No treatment can guarantee that result. Disc symptoms can improve over time, sometimes without invasive intervention but decompression therapy has not been proven to permanently repair or reposition a herniated disc.
Your Back Deserves the Right Support
Living with persistent back pain can be frustrating, particularly when it starts affecting the things you love.
But remember, back pain doesn’t automatically mean something is permanently damaged and there are several ways to support your recovery.
Spinal decompression therapy is one option you may come across but it isn’t a miracle cure or the right choice for every patient.
What matters most is understanding your symptoms, identifying your needs and finding a sensible, evidence informed plan that helps you move with greater confidence.
Curious about what’s causing your back pain or whether spinal decompression therapy could be appropriate for you?
I’d love to help you explore your options.
Book a discovery visit with us at West Chiropractic, here and let’s have a conversation about your back, your goals and the next steps that make sense for you.
Your journey towards more comfortable movement can begin with a simple conversation.
References
- Amjad, F., Mohseni-Bandpei, M. A., Gilani, S. A., Ahmad, A., & Hanif, A. (2022). Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy on pain, range of motion, endurance, functional disability and quality of life versus routine physical therapy alone in patients with lumbar radiculopathy; A randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 23, Article 255.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2016). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: Assessment and management (NICE Guideline NG59; updated 2026).
- Wegner, I., Widyahening, I. S., van Tulder, M. W., Blomberg, S. E. I., de Vet, H. C. W., Brønfort, G., Bouter, L. M., & van der Heijden, G. J. (2013). Traction for low-back pain with or without sciatica. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(8), Article CD003010.
