Spinal Decompression Therapy Services
North Shore’s leading physiotherapy and massage therapy clinic.
Spinal decompression involves the therapeutic elongation of the spine in a slow, gentle manner to relieve pressure on compressed vertebrae and discs using a specialized traction device. Spinal decompression can be used to treat individuals with low back pain caused by herniated discs, degenerated discs and/or intervertebral joints with or without referral pain in the buttock or leg. This treatment is administered by a registered physiotherapist, and is safe and comfortable. Spinal decompression can be used by individuals who have not responded well to other forms of treatment.
Is Spinal Decompression right for me?
Spinal decompression can be an extremely effective treatment option for individuals who have struggled with on-going low back or neck pain. The spinal decompression device can be used to relive pain and nerve symptoms associated with:
- Protruding or bulging discs
- Spinal nerve root impingement
- Vertebral joint hypomobility
- Herniated discs
- Arthritis of the spine
- Degenerative disc disease(DDD)
- Facet syndrome
- Acute or chronic headaches
- Spinal stenosis
Effects Of Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression provides gentle traction and mobilization of skeletal structures and skeletal muscles. This creates space between vertebral structures and creates a negative disc pressure that allows the discs to draw in vital nutrients and move back into a more normal orientation. Some of the positive effects of spinal decompression include:
- Intervertebral separation
- Reduction of disc protrusion
- Altered intradiscal pressure
- Rehydration, reoxygenation, and renutrification of the discs
- Improved nerve conduction
- Increased joint mobility
- Pain relief
Contraindications to Treatment
Your physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment prior to commencing any treatment to ensure that the care you receive is safe and effective. Not everyone is an appropriate candidate for spinal decompression, which is why it’s important that you maintain an open dialogue with your therapist. Below find a list of some conditions that contraindicate spinal decompression.
- Pregnancy
- Spinal fusion with metallic rods
- Severe osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis or spinal joint instability
- Vertebral fractures
- Spine-affecting tumors or infections
- Severe cardiac or pulmonary problems
- Disc pathology with sequestration
Please note, this list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure as to whether or not you could benefit from spinal decompression therapy, please ask your physiotherapist or doctor.