A mechanical traction treatment that elongates the spine in order to release the pressure on damaged spinal discs, joints and nerves. It originated in the USA in the late 1990’s and is now gaining popularity in the UK.

Also known as “Intermittent Sustained Spinal Traction” (ISST), it can be used on the neck (cervical spine) as well as the low back (lumbar spine).

It is used to treat and help prevent certain types of back pain, trapped nerves and sciatica caused by damaged discs and joints in the neck and back. It can help people suffering with herniated discs, bulging discs, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, spinal degeneration, facet joint syndrome, radiculopathy, general low back pain, chronic low back pain, chronic neck pain and “non-specific” back pain.

Many musculoskeletal problems start with the squashing of the discs between vertebrae in the spine. Compression of intervertebral discs inhibits the shock absorbing properties of the spine, and leads to excess wear and tear of the surrounding joints, resulting in painful conditions like arthritis and spondylo-arthrosis. Pain can be felt directly in the back, neck and shoulders, and the extra pressure on spinal nerves can cause referred pain or sciatica in the legs, or shooting pains, numbness, pins and needles and weakness in the arms or hands. In addition, compressed discs inhibit the spine’s ability to absorb and expel fluids from surrounding tissues, leading to further spinal degeneration.

Even people who are not suffering from acute back pain can benefit from regular spinal decompression. Most of our staff are among those who use it as a way of maintaining intervertebral disc health and having an anti-ageing effect on the spine!

Spinal Decompression exerts smooth pressure to ease apart the specific vertebral segments required. This takes immediate pressure off the discs, joints and spinal nerves, easing pain and muscle spasm. When body weight pressure reapplies once the patient stands up, the temporary vacuum within the disc allows the previously restricted flow of fluid and nutrients to resume once more, promoting healing and regeneration. Patients often feel significant relief in symptoms from a few sessions, although it typically takes a treatment course of 5 to 20 sessions to effect long lasting healing.

A treatment session typically lasts 30 minutes. You remain fully clothed. A harness is secured around the pelvis or head. You lie down on your back, and the decompression force is then applied, at a precise angle depending on the target area of the spine. Cycles of tension are applied for around 20 minutes, with the maximum force for 30 -60 seconds at a time, dropping to 30-second rest periods at low tension.

Older forms of traction used constant pressure, which is thought to prolong stretching of tissue, leading to temporary pain or muscle spasm. This new therapy uses intermittent pressure, with gaps between applications of stretching force, allowing more fluid and nutrients to be drawn into the disc.

In a trial in 1997, 86% of patients treated with decompression for disc herniation enjoyed “good to excellent” results. In another study, a success rate of 92 % was found in patients who had been previously categorised as surgical cases.

It is essential that all patients have a consultation with one of our senior clinicians prior to undergoing Spinal Decompression Therapy, in order to assess the appropriateness of this treatment. An MRI scan prior to treatment would be beneficial, as this enables us to target the precise area of damage, and helps us to make a prognosis. A second post-treatment MRI can also be useful to demonstrate objective improvements.