Spinal decompression therapy devices and inversion tables are both designed to help relieve back pain, but they go about this process differently. A spinal decompression therapy machine gently stretches your back under the supervision of a chiropractor to relieve pressure on the discs that hold the spine together. Inversion tables will also accomplish this, but by turning your body upside down. Both treatments are designed to help correct spinal subluxation, which means that your vertebrae aren’t lined up correctly, causing back pain.
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy is a safe and effective non-surgical back treatment that gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on spinal discs and surrounding nerves.
Between each vertebra in your spine are soft cushions called discs, which act as shock absorbers. But over time, they can become damaged, bulge outward, or rupture. When this happens, the disc can press on nearby nerves, leading to numbness, weakness, or pain.
Spinal decompression therapy carefully stretches the spine to create space between vertebrae. This helps reduce pressure inside the discs and encourages proper spinal alignment.
The most common type of spinal decompression therapy is lumbar traction, which focuses on the lower back. This treatment is commonly used for people who experience chronic lower back pain or nerve symptoms that radiate down the legs.
Spinal decompression may be a good option for people with:
- Sciatica
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Worn spinal joints
- Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots
- Spinal stenosis
- Arthritis
At Village Chiropractic, we use a Back on Trak table to slowly and carefully relieve pressure on the spine by stretching it just a little bit at a time. This not only helps reduce irritation and inflammation but also stimulates healing processes and improves spinal mobility.
Related blog: What is Spinal Decompression Therapy? How Does it Help?
How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Work?
In decompression therapy, the patient lies comfortably on a specialized traction table. A harness is placed around the lower body, and then the machine pulls in two directions, gently stretching and relaxing your spine in cycles. The negative pressure inside the spinal discs pulls bulging disc material away from nearby nerves, while also improving circulation in the spinal area.
Spinal decompression machines can also be adjusted to target specific discs. The chiropractor can adjust the angle, traction force, and positioning of the table to hone in on the exact section of the spine that’s causing you pain.
Each session is short—typically a few minutes and no more than 15 minutes, depending on how the patient is feeling and how much pressure they’re having in the spine. Reduced pressure on your spine can help reduce pain or discomfort in other areas of your body and improve mobility.
What are Inversion Tables and How Do They Work?
Inversion tables are at-home devices that use gravity to decompress or elongate your spine and relieve pressure on any lumbar discs that may be bulging or herniated.
The user lies down on a table and secures their ankles with straps into the supports. The table then tilts backwards, raising the feet above the head. The tables are adjustable, so you can change the angle of incline—to a partially or fully inverted position—depending on how much pressure is being placed on your spine.
An inversion table can be used both as a treatment for ongoing discomfort and as a way to help you recover from an injury. They can also be an aid in stretching.
Why it May Not be a Good Idea to Use Inversion Tables
Some people use inversion tables as a way to reduce back pain and improve their health, but there are some downsides to these machines that many users don’t know about.
For starters, inversion tables don’t provide the same level of control or targeted treatment as professional spinal decompression therapy. This means using an inversion table may not be safe and effective for everyone.
Additionally, people with more severe conditions may experience worsening symptoms with continued usage of an inversion table. This is because inversion can aggravate certain conditions, such as degenerative disc disease and nerve impingement.
Lastly, inversion increases pressure in the head and eyes. Because of this, anyone with high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma, or a history of a stroke should not use this method for back pain relief.
If you experience any increase in lower back pain or leg pain after using an inversion table, it is recommended that you stop using it and schedule an evaluation with a chiropractor or doctor.
Key Differences Between Inversion Tables and Spinal Decompression
Although both methods aim to reduce pressure on the spine, they differ in several important ways.
Inversion tables:
- Gravity stretches the spine when the body is inverted
- Typically used at home
- Cannot target specific spinal discs
- Pressure depends on body weight and inversion angle
- One-time purchase for the device
- Stretching relief is often temporary
Spinal decompression therapy:
- Mechanical traction gently stretches the spine in controlled cycles
- Performed by a chiropractor in a clinic
- Can focus on specific discs along the spine
- Traction force and angle are controlled by the chiropractor
- Pay for sessions as part of a chiropractic care plan
- Designed to treat disc injuries and nerve compression, providing longer-lasting relief
Which Option Should You Choose?
Spinal decompression therapy is our preferred way to treat back pain without surgery or medication over an inversion table. Often used in combination with other treatment options, spinal decompression can provide patients with pain relief and help them return to work and normal activities more quickly than using other methods alone, without risk for those with other medical conditions.
Sitting upside down for periods of time brings risks for many people that can be avoided by using decompression therapy under the supervision of a chiropractor.
When to See a Chiropractor for Back Pain
It’s common to experience occasional back discomfort, but persistent symptoms may indicate a more serious spinal problem. You should consider seeing a chiropractor if you experience:
- Back pain that lasts for more than a few weeks
- Pain that radiates down your legs
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Recurring disc problems
Early diagnosis and treatment by a chiropractor can help prevent symptoms from worsening and may reduce the need for more invasive procedures later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Decompression and Inversion Therapy
Is spinal decompression therapy safe?
Yes. When performed by a trained chiropractor, spinal decompression therapy is considered a safe and non-invasive treatment for many types of back pain.
How many spinal decompression treatments are needed?
The number of treatments you’ll need depends on how severe your condition is. Many patients receive several sessions over a few weeks to gradually reduce spinal pressure and encourage healing.
Are inversion tables good for herniated discs?
Using an inversion table may bring about temporary relief, but it cannot target specific discs. People with herniated discs often find that spinal decompression therapy is more effective because it can focus treatment on where they’re having the most pain.
Can inversion therapy worsen back pain?
In some cases, yes. Certain spinal conditions, such as degenerative disc disease or nerve compression, could become worse over time since gravity alone is not enough to reduce stress on nerves or damaged discs.
Does spinal decompression therapy replace chiropractic adjustments?
Not necessarily. Spinal decompression is often one part of a comprehensive care plan. To maximize results, it may be used alongside other nonsurgical approaches like chiropractic adjustments, massage, and stretching exercises.
Chiropractic Care for Back Pain
Chiropractic treatments are highly effective for back pain. Village Chiropractic in The Woodlands and Cypress is available to provide an evaluation and create a personalized care plan. Request an appointment at either of our locations so you can start to feel better!
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