How Spinal Decompression Therapy Helps with Sciatica [Updated for 2021]

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to help alleviate back pain related to the spinal discs and connective tissue in the upper or lower back. This kind of pain can be related to sciatica. This form of therapy can be administered as a surgical or non-surgical procedure.

What Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Help With?

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy uses back traction to stretch the spine and create space between the spinal discs. When there isn’t enough space left between discs, pressure can cause inflammation and pain. This inflammation can even manifest as a slipped or ruptured disc.

Healthcare professionals have used non-surgical spinal decompression to treat the following:

- Back pain (upper or lower back)
- Sciatic nerve pain
- Bulging or herniated disks or degenerative disk disease
- Worn spinal joints
- Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots

How Does Spinal Decompression Therapy Help With Nerve Pain?

Sciatic nerve pain is a product of agitation to the sciatic nerve that runs from the lower back, down the buttock, as far as the feet. The pain is often felt in the lower back and down one leg. A pinched nerve can cause this uncomfortable pain.

A pinched nerve is a nerve root in the spine that has become compressed, this is caused by a spine condition like a herniated disc. This tear can allow the center of the disc to leak into the spinal canal and press against a nerve, which causes a pinched nerve. When the affected nerve is the sciatic nerve, the pain sufferer will feel their discomfort manifest as sciatica.

How to Experience Relief with Spinal Decompression

You can feel relief from sciatic nerve pain by using non-surgical spinal traction. Stretching the spine and creating space between the discs can be performed manually by a chiropractic doctor or at home with a decompression device.