Spinal Decompression: What Does the Research Say?

At KAW Chiropractic we believe patients make the best decisions when they have access to the same evidence we use. Below is a plain-English summary of published research on non-surgical spinal decompression — including where the evidence is strong, and where it is still developing.

What is non-surgical spinal decompression?

Non-surgical spinal decompression (NSD) uses a computer-controlled table to apply gentle, cyclical stretching forces to the spine. Unlike older mechanical traction, decompression systems use sensitive computerised feedback to adjust the force in real time, aiming to reduce pressure within the spinal discs. Research suggests this may assist disc-related conditions by reducing disc protrusion and increasing intervertebral disc space.

What the clinical trials have found

Decompression added to standard care — randomised controlled trial (2022)

A randomised controlled trial published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders followed 60 patients with lumbar radiculopathy (nerve-related back and leg pain). Patients who received decompression therapy in addition to routine physiotherapy showed statistically and clinically greater improvements in pain, lumbar range of motion, back muscle endurance, functional disability and physical quality-of-life measures than those receiving physiotherapy alone, after 12 sessions over 4 weeks, with medium to large effect sizes.

Decompression and motorised traction vs physiotherapy alone (2024)

A 2024 comparative study published in Cureus found that both non-surgical spinal decompression and traditional motorised traction, when added to conventional physiotherapy, were more effective for chronic low back pain than physiotherapy alone.

Imaging findings

Several studies have reported measurable changes on imaging following decompression programs, including restoration of disc height and reductions in disc herniation index in patients with lumbar disc lesions. Trials comparing decompression with conventional traction have reported greater improvements in radicular pain, straight-leg-raise and disc height in the decompression groups.

Where the evidence is still developing

Honesty matters more to us than marketing. A 2007 systematic review concluded that the superiority of motorised decompression over standard traction had not yet been established, and authors have noted that many earlier studies had methodological limitations such as small sample sizes and lack of blinding. Higher-quality randomised trials — like the 2022 study above — have strengthened the evidence base since, but research is ongoing, and decompression is not appropriate for every condition. That is why we assess every patient individually before recommending it.

Who might decompression be considered for?

Published trials have studied decompression primarily in adults with disc bulges and herniations (particularly L4-L5 and L5-S1), lumbar radiculopathy / sciatica-type leg pain, and chronic discogenic low back pain. It is not recommended in pregnancy, severe osteoporosis, spinal fractures, tumours, infections, or after certain spinal surgeries — which is why a thorough examination comes first.

Our approach at KAW

Consistent with the research above, decompression at KAW Chiropractic is integrated into a broader, individually prescribed care plan — never offered as a standalone gimmick. If you would like to find out whether you are a candidate, book an initial consultation and we will assess you properly.

References

  1. Amjad F, Mohseni-Bandpei MA, Gilani SA, et al. Effects of non-surgical decompression therapy in addition to routine physical therapy on pain, range of motion, endurance, functional disability and quality of life versus routine physical therapy alone in patients with lumbar radiculopathy: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23:255.

  2. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Traditional Motorized Traction and Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy Added to Conventional Physiotherapy for Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain. Cureus. 2024.

  3. Macario A, Pergolizzi JV. Systematic literature review of spinal decompression via motorized traction for chronic discogenic low back pain. Pain Practice. 2007.

  4. Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy: A Narrative Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2024;13(4):974.