If you have been told you have a herniated or bulging disc, you have probably seen the word "decompression" on a lot of clinic websites, and it is fair to wonder whether they all mean the same thing. They do not. Understanding spinal decompression vs traction comes down to what the table actually does to your spine, and at Comprehensive Chiropractic & Wellness in Lincoln Square, that difference is the reason we chose the equipment we use.
Summary
- Traction is a general term for pulling on part of the body, usually with steady tension.
- True spinal decompression, as our office describes it, targets a specific disc level and uses an oscillating pull rather than a constant one.
- Many tables sold as "decompression" are, in our view, computerized traction. The table matters.
- Decompression may suit people with a disc herniation, bulging disc or sciatica from a disc who want to avoid surgery. An exam decides whether it fits you.
- Your first visit is a consultation, exam and MRI review. Decompression does not start that day.
- What Is Traction?
- How True Decompression Differs
- Why the Table Matters
- Who Decompression May Suit
- What the First Visit Looks Like
- Red Flags: When to Get Emergency Care
- When to Come See Us
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Traction?
According to MedlinePlus, traction means pulling on part of the body. It is often used with weights and pulleys to put tension on a displaced bone or joint, and it is also used to keep a group of muscles, such as the neck muscles, stretched to reduce muscle spasms.
MedlinePlus describes a traction treatment as having three parts: a certain amount of tension to pull the body part, a length of time to use that tension, and a way to keep the tension steady at the desired amount. That last point is the one worth remembering. Traction, by design, is about steady tension.
How True Decompression Differs
Here is how Dr. Jeff Haynes describes the difference between traction and the true spinal decompression we use at our office.
It targets a specific disc level
Your spinal discs are the cushion-like pads between the vertebrae. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases describes them as acting like shock absorbers and spacers for the spine. A herniation usually happens at one particular level, and your MRI shows which one. True decompression, as we use it, is set up to target that specific disc level rather than pulling on the spine in general.
The pull oscillates
Instead of holding one steady pull, the decompression table cycles the tension up and down. In Dr. Jeff's description, that oscillating pull helps draw fluid and nutrients back into the disc, and it keeps the muscles around the disc from spasming.
Why we do not promise results
We do not promise results, and we do not start anyone on a plan before an exam. What we can tell you is how our office approaches decompression, who it may suit, and what to expect.
Why the Table Matters
Many tables marketed as "decompression" are, in Dr. Jeff's view, really computerized traction. They may have a screen and a motorized pull, but if the tension is steady and general rather than targeted and oscillating, the treatment works more like the traction MedlinePlus describes.
That is why we use a true spinal decompression table at our office. If you are comparing clinics, it is reasonable to ask how their table works: whether it targets a specific disc level, and whether the pull holds steady or cycles. A clinic that offers true decompression should be able to explain the difference plainly.
The table is only one piece. Decompression at our office is delivered as a care plan, not as one-off visits, because a single session is not how this treatment is designed to work.
Who Decompression May Suit
Spinal decompression is the lead service at our office. It may be a good fit if:
- You have a disc herniation, a bulging disc, or sciatica that comes from a disc.
- You have been told surgery is the next step and you want to explore whether you can avoid it.
- You have tried steroid injections, an epidural or physical therapy without lasting relief.
- You want to get off gabapentin or opioids, or you would rather never start them.
Decompression is not for everyone, and it does not replace surgery for everyone. MedlinePlus notes that surgery may be an option when symptoms do not go away with other treatments and time, and some people do need it. The exam is what decides whether decompression makes sense for you.
What the First Visit Looks Like
Your first visit is about getting answers, not starting treatment. It includes:
- A consultation where Dr. Jeff listens to your history and what you have already tried.
- An exam and MRI review. The MRI and the grade of your herniation guide whether decompression fits and which care plan makes sense.
- Possibly some pain control, such as stim and ice, if you need relief that day.
Decompression does not start on the first visit. You take literature home and talk it over, often with a spouse and with your finances in mind. Decompression is a cash service at our office. When you are ready, you sign a care plan agreement and begin.
Care plans are 20, 25 or 30 visits, chosen from your MRI and the grade of the herniation. A 20-visit plan is about three times a week for four weeks, then twice a week for four weeks. A 30-visit plan is about three times a week for six weeks, then twice a week for six weeks. Nobody picks a plan before an exam.
We don't believe in unnecessary treatment plans or keeping patients dependent on care they don't need. If you want to know more about how we work in general, read what comprehensive chiropractic means or our guide on what to know before you book.
Red Flags: When to Get Emergency Care
Some symptoms are not a reason to book a decompression consult. They are a reason to get emergency care. Cleveland Clinic describes cauda equina syndrome as a medical emergency that can happen when a herniated disc or injury compresses the nerve roots at the bottom of the spinal cord. Go to the emergency room right away if you have:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or trouble urinating
- Numbness or tingling in the backs of your legs, buttocks, hips or inner thighs
- Leg weakness
- Low back pain or sciatica along with any of the symptoms above
The NIAMS also advises seeing a doctor for back pain after a fall or injury, or back pain with fever, trouble urinating, weakness or numbness in your legs, or weight loss you did not intend.
When to Come See Us
Come see us if you have a diagnosed disc herniation or bulging disc, if sciatica keeps coming back, or if you have been told surgery is next and you want to understand your options first. Bring your MRI if you have one. If your pain flares with sitting, our post on the worst sitting positions for lower back pain has practical changes you can make in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spinal decompression the same as traction?
No. Traction is a steady pull on part of the body. True decompression, as our office describes it, targets a specific disc level with an oscillating pull designed to help draw fluid and nutrients back into the disc and keep the surrounding muscles from spasming.
How do I know if a clinic's table is true decompression?
Ask how it works. Does it target a specific disc level? Does the pull cycle, or hold steady? Many tables called "decompression" are really computerized traction, so it is a fair question to ask anywhere.
Can I start decompression on my first visit?
No. The first visit is a consultation, exam and MRI review, sometimes with stim and ice for pain. You take literature home, think it over, and start once you sign a care plan agreement.
Can I just come in for a few sessions?
Decompression is done as a care plan of 20, 25 or 30 visits, chosen from your MRI and the grade of your herniation. We don't offer it a la carte, and nobody picks a plan before an exam.
Will decompression help me avoid surgery?
It may be an option for people who want to avoid surgery, but we can't promise that, and it is not right for everyone. The exam and your MRI help Dr. Jeff tell you honestly whether it is worth trying.
If you are weighing spinal decompression vs traction, or you have been told surgery is next and want another opinion on your options, Dr. Jeff Haynes and our team are happy to walk through your MRI with you. Call (312) 658-0658 or visit us at 4526 N. Lincoln Ave.
