Spinal Decompression vs Traditional Traction: What Research Says About Chronic Low Back Pain Relief

Spinal Decompression vs Traditional Traction: What Research Says About Chronic Low Back Pain Relief

Chronic lower back pain affects millions of Australians every year and remains one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. For many people across Sunbury, Melton, Diggers Rest, Gisborne and surrounding Melbourne suburbs, persistent disc-related back pain can make work, exercise, sleep, and daily life incredibly difficult.

At HealthWise Chiropractic, many patients ask:

“Does spinal decompression therapy actually work?”

New research comparing traditional motorised traction and non-surgical spinal decompression therapy has provided encouraging results for people suffering from chronic lumbar disc injuries and disc-related lower back pain.

Chronic Low Back Pain Is Extremely Common

Research shows chronic lower back pain affects approximately:

• 20% of people worldwide

• One of the leading causes of disability globally

• Millions of Australians every year

Risk factors include:

• Physically demanding jobs

• Poor posture

• Disc injuries

• Obesity

• Smoking

• Sedentary lifestyles

• Repetitive lifting

• Prolonged sitting

Many patients experience symptoms caused by:

• Lumbar Discopathy

• Sciatica

• Lumbar Disc Herniation

• Chronic lower back pain

• Nerve compression

• Reduced mobility

• Leg pain and numbness

What Did The Study Investigate?

Researchers evaluated 160 patients suffering from lumbar disc disorders and compared three treatment approaches:

1. Conventional Physiotherapy Alone

This included:

• Exercise rehabilitation

• TENS therapy

• Ultrasound therapy

• Heat therapy

• Core strengthening

2. Traditional Motorized Traction

Motorized traction was added to physiotherapy.

3. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy

Spinal decompression therapy was added to physiotherapy using a computerized decompression table.

The goal was to determine which treatment provided the greatest improvements in:

• Pain reduction

• Disability

• Functional movement

• Daily activity levels

The Results Were Significant

All treatment groups improved.

However, patients who received:

• Motorised traction

  
  

  OR

• Spinal decompression therapy

experienced greater improvements than physiotherapy alone.

Spinal Decompression Improved Pain Levels More Than Physiotherapy Alone

The study measured pain using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Pain Improvement Results:

• Conventional physiotherapy improvement: 16.6%

• Motorised traction improvement: 26.8%

• Spinal decompression improvement: 22.4%

This means patients receiving decompression or traction experienced substantially greater pain relief compared to standard physiotherapy alone.

Disability Scores Improved Significantly

Researchers also measured disability using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), which evaluates how back pain affects:

• Walking

• Sitting

• Standing

• Sleeping

• Lifting

• Daily tasks

Disability Improvement Results:

• Conventional physiotherapy: 19.7% improvement

• Motorised traction: 47.4% improvement

• Spinal decompression: 37.2% improvement

These findings suggest spinal decompression therapy may help patients regain mobility and function faster than conventional treatment alone.

Patients With Sciatica & Nerve Compression Saw Strong Results

One of the most important findings involved patients with positive straight leg raise tests — commonly associated with:

• Sciatica

• Nerve root irritation

• Disc herniations

In these patients:

• Spinal decompression significantly improved pain and disability

• Traction and decompression both outperformed standard physiotherapy alone

This is particularly relevant for patients experiencing:

• Leg pain

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Burning pain down the leg

• Disc-related nerve compression

How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?

Spinal Decompression Therapy uses a computerised traction system to gently stretch and decompress the spine.

The therapy aims to:

• Reduce pressure on spinal discs

• Create negative intradiscal pressure

• Improve nutrient and oxygen flow to injured discs

• Reduce nerve irritation

• Improve mobility and spinal function

Unlike traditional traction, spinal decompression systems are designed to:

• Minimise muscle guarding

• Apply controlled segmental distraction

• Target specific spinal levels more precisely

Research Shows Disc Pressure Reduction May Help Healing

The study discussed growing evidence that spinal decompression may:

• Improve disc hydration

• Reduce disc bulging pressure

• Restore disc height

• Improve nutrient exchange

Researchers noted MRI studies have demonstrated relationships between:

• Improved disc structure

  
  

  and

• Reduced pain levels

This supports why many patients report:

• Less stiffness

• Easier movement

• Improved sitting tolerance

• Better walking ability

after completing spinal decompression therapy programs.

Why Combined Treatment Often Works Best

The study found the strongest outcomes occurred when spinal decompression was combined with:

• Rehabilitation exercises

• Core strengthening

• Physiotherapy modalities

• Movement correction

At HealthWise Chiropractic, spinal decompression therapy is commonly integrated with:

• Chiropractic care

• Soft tissue therapy

• Rehabilitation programs

• Shockwave therapy

• Laser therapy

• Mobility and postural correction exercises

This multi-modal approach helps target both:

• The structural spinal issue

  
  

  and

• The muscular and movement dysfunction surrounding it.

• 
  

Who May Benefit From Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression may help patients suffering from:

• Chronic lower back pain

• Sciatica

• Bulging discs

• Herniated discs

• Lumbar discopathy

• Degenerative disc disease

• Nerve compression

• Disc-related leg pain

Many patients seek care after:

• Months or years of pain

• Failed conservative treatment

• Difficulty working comfortably

• Reduced exercise capacity

• Ongoing flare-ups

Looking For Spinal Decompression Therapy in Sunbury or Melton?

If you’re dealing with chronic lower back pain, sciatica, or disc injuries, our team at HealthWise Chiropractic can help determine whether spinal decompression therapy may be suitable for you.

We proudly help patients across:

• Sunbury

• Melton

• Diggers Rest

• Gisborne

• Caroline Springs

• Taylors Lakes

• Macedon Ranges

• Greater Melbourne

Reviewed by Dr Julian Simpson, Chiropractor at Health Wise Chiropractic, Sunbury 21 Powellet Street, Sunbury & 131 Wembley Avenue, Strathtulloh

At Health Wise Chiropractic, we regularly treat patients with [condition], helping them return to work, sport, and daily activities pain-free.

reference

Adar S, Apaydın O, Dündar U, Toktas H, Yesil H, Eroglu S, Eyvaz N. 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 Sep 17;16(9):e69610. doi: 10.7759/cureus.69610. Erratum in: Cureus. 2024 Sep 23;16(9):c193. doi: 10.7759/cureus.c193. PMID: 39318658; PMCID: PMC11420602.