Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized traction therapy that gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on compressed discs and nerves. It is used most often for herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease — without incisions, injections, or recovery downtime.
You will see it written several ways — non-surgical spinal decompression, nonsurgical spinal decompression, or simply spinal decompression therapy. These terms all refer to the same treatment: a computer-controlled table that applies precise, cyclical traction to a targeted segment of the spine.
What is non-surgical spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression uses a specialized motorized table to apply gentle, controlled traction to the spine. By slightly separating the vertebrae, the treatment aims to reduce pressure inside the disc and create space around irritated nerve roots.
The theory is straightforward. A compressed disc presses outward and can irritate nearby nerves, producing back pain, sciatica, or radiating symptoms into an arm or leg. By decompressing that segment, the goal is to relieve mechanical pressure on the nerve and improve the exchange of fluid and nutrients in the disc — tissue with a limited blood supply that depends heavily on movement and pressure changes.
What makes it different from a simple traction table is control. The system alternates between pull and release in a programmed cycle, which is intended to prevent the protective muscle guarding that a constant, sustained pull tends to trigger.
How does spinal decompression therapy work?
During treatment you lie fully clothed on the decompression table while you are comfortably secured. For lumbar decompression, a harness is fitted around your pelvis and trunk. For cervical decompression, a headpiece is used instead — designed to cradle the skull and distribute the pull evenly across the forehead, chin, and base of the neck. The computer-controlled system then applies and releases traction in a gradual cycle for the duration of the session.
The angle and force are set for your specific problem — a lower lumbar disc is treated at a different angle than an upper lumbar or cervical segment, and the force is calibrated to your body weight and tolerance. Most people describe the sensation as a slow, comfortable stretch. It should not be painful, and the table can be stopped immediately at any point.
What conditions does spinal decompression treat?
Spinal decompression is used primarily for disc-related and nerve compression problems in the low back and neck:
- Herniated, bulging, or protruding discs
- Sciatica and radiating leg pain
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis (in selected cases)
- Facet joint syndrome
- Chronic low back or neck pain that has not responded to other conservative care
- Scoliosis — for symptom management rather than curve correction
- Ongoing symptoms after a failed back surgery, in carefully selected cases
A note on scoliosis specifically: spinal decompression does not correct the Cobb angle or straighten the spine. What it can do is help manage the resulting symptoms — pinched nerves, herniated discs, and uneven muscle tension.
It is not the right answer for every back problem. Pain driven mainly by muscle strain, joint restriction, or postural overload often responds better — and faster — to chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, and rehabilitation. Determining which category you fall into is what the initial evaluation is for.
What are the risks of non-surgical spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is generally considered low risk. The most common side effect is temporary muscle soreness, similar to what you might feel after a new exercise. Serious complications are rare, but the treatment is not appropriate for everyone.
Reported side effects are usually mild and short-lived — muscle soreness for a day or two after early sessions, or a temporary increase in symptoms as the tissue responds. These typically settle as care progresses.
More importantly, there are situations where decompression should not be used at all. It is generally contraindicated for people who are pregnant, or who have:
- A spinal fracture, tumor, or infection
- Severe osteoporosis
- Surgically implanted spinal hardware, such as fusion instrumentation or an artificial disc
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Advanced cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurological deficit
This is exactly why we do not put anyone on the table before an evaluation. Screening for these conditions — and referring for imaging or a specialist opinion when the exam warrants it — is part of the process, not an optional extra. It is also worth saying plainly that evidence quality for decompression varies across studies, and reputable providers should present it as one conservative option among several rather than a guaranteed alternative to surgery.
How long does a spinal decompression session take?
A typical session on the table runs about 20 to 30 minutes. A full course usually spans several weeks, with sessions scheduled multiple times per week early on and tapering as symptoms improve.
Decompression is rarely used alone. Most plans combine it with adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, and specific exercises so the improvement holds once care ends — the table addresses pressure on the disc, while rehabilitation addresses the movement patterns and strength deficits that contributed in the first place. Your exact schedule depends on how long the problem has been present, how your body responds in the first week or two, and what the re-examination shows.
Is spinal decompression the same as an inversion table?
No. An inversion table uses gravity and body weight to apply an uncontrolled, whole-spine stretch. Clinical decompression applies a specific force, at a specific angle, to a targeted spinal segment, under computer control and professional supervision.
That difference matters for two reasons: targeting and safety. Inversion cannot isolate the segment that actually needs decompressing, and hanging upside down raises blood pressure and eye pressure, which makes it a poor choice for people with hypertension, glaucoma, or heart conditions. Clinical decompression avoids both problems.
Does insurance cover spinal decompression?
We do not bill spinal decompression to insurance. While it is not a covered service, decompression is not cost prohibitive — and you will know what a full course of treatment costs before your first session.
Please call for pricing on individual visits and for our package discounts. We would rather have that conversation up front than after you have started — once we have reviewed your evaluation findings, we will tell you what the recommended course involves, what it costs in total, and what payment options are available, including CareCredit financing.
Call (636) 928-5588 for pricing and package options, or request an appointment online.
Spinal decompression in St. Peters, MO
Crosby Chiropractic & Acupuncture Centre has served St. Peters and St. Charles County since 1995. Our four doctors bring more than 130 years of combined clinical experience, and we evaluate each patient to determine whether decompression is genuinely the right tool — or whether something simpler will get you there faster.
We are at 331 Jungermann Road in St. Peters, and also see patients from O’Fallon, Dardenne Prairie, St. Charles, Cottleville, and Weldon Spring. Call (636) 928-5588 or request an appointment to find out whether you are a candidate.
Frequently asked questions
Does spinal decompression hurt?
It should not. Most patients describe a gentle, comfortable stretch, and many find the session relaxing. Some mild muscle soreness afterward is normal in the first few visits. If anything is painful during treatment, the table stops immediately — tell us and we adjust the settings.
How many sessions will I need?
Most courses run several weeks with multiple sessions per week initially, tapering as you improve. The precise number depends on your diagnosis, how long you have had symptoms, and your response early on. We re-examine along the way rather than committing you to an open-ended plan.
Can spinal decompression fix a herniated disc?
It can relieve pressure and reduce symptoms for many people with disc herniation, and that is the realistic goal — meaningful symptom relief and better function. Any provider promising to permanently “fix” or fully reverse a herniation is overstating what the evidence supports.
Is spinal decompression safe if I’ve had back surgery?
It depends on the surgery. Implanted hardware such as fusion instrumentation is generally a contraindication. Some post-surgical patients without hardware can be treated safely in selected cases. Bring your surgical history and any imaging to the evaluation so we can make that call properly.
What is the difference between spinal decompression and traction?
Decompression is a refined form of traction. Basic traction applies a steady pull; decompression uses computer-controlled cycles of pull and release at a targeted angle, which is designed to reduce the reflexive muscle guarding that a sustained pull tends to provoke.
Who should not have spinal decompression?
Pregnancy, spinal fracture, tumor or infection, severe osteoporosis, implanted spinal hardware, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and progressive neurological deficits are all reasons decompression should not be used. Screening for these is part of every evaluation.
Reviewed by Dr. Jenny Crosby Wiemann, DC, President, Crosby Chiropractic & Acupuncture Centre. Read Dr. Crosby’s full bio.
Last reviewed: July 2026
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Non-surgical spinal decompression is not appropriate for every patient or every condition, and individual results vary. A clinical evaluation is required to determine whether this treatment is suitable for you.
