How Spinal Decompression Therapy is Thought to Work

In nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine is stretched and relaxed intermittently in a controlled manner. The theory is that this process creates a negative intradiscal pressure (pressure within the disc itself), which is thought to have two potential benefits:

• Pulls the herniated or bulging disc material back into the disc
• Promotes the passage of healing nutrients, into the disc and fosters a better healing environment.

Spinal Decompression Session

During spinal decompression therapy for the low back (lumbar spine), patients remain clothed and lie on a motorized table, the lower half of which can move.

• A harness is placed around the hips and is attached to the lower table near the feet.
• The upper part of the table remains in a fixed position while the lower part, to which the patient is harnessed, slides back and forth to provide the traction and relaxation.

One difference between various decompression therapies is the patient's position on the table:

• Some older devices place the patient in the prone position on the table, lying face down (e.g. VAX-D)
• Some newer devices have the patient lying supine, face up (e.g. Spine Med, or DRX9000)

The patient should not feel pain during or after the decompression therapy although they should feel stretch in the spine.

Treatment Series and Costs

Decompression therapy typically consists of a series of 15 to 30 treatments, lasting 30 to 45 minutes each, over a four to six-week period. Sessions are conducted in the practitioner's office.

The cost of each session typically ranges from $100 to $200, which means that a recommended series of treatments will typically cost from $3,000 to $6,000. Although insurance companies might pay for traditional traction, decompression therapy is not usually allowed although they are nearly the same.

Sessions may include additional treatment modalities, such as electric stimulation, ultrasound, and cold and/or heat therapy applied during or after the procedure.

Recommendations may also include drinking up to a half-gallon of water per day, rest, utilizing nutritional supplements, and/or performing exercises at home to improve strength and mobility.

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