My HONEST Thoughts on Spinal Decompression or Lumbar Traction

Whether you've got lower back pain, sciatic nerve pain down the back of your leg (sciatica), or pain deep in your buttock or glute- many folks are told to try spinal decompression or lumbar traction to help relieve the pressure or compression within their spine. So, "Dr. Charlie, What are your thoughts on spinal decompression?"

Whether you're told you have a herniated disc or spinal stenosis or sciatica or Piriformis Syndrome or some other issue in your lower back... spinal decompression is a hot topic as far as treatment options go.

Here are my thoughts...

1- If you're going to do spinal decompression... don't fall for the "it's going to take 15 visits until it starts working" stuff. If a treatment is going to work- it's going to work immediately. Test (find something yucky)... do decompression, then retest. The change should be instant. If no better (same)... I'd move on.

2. If spinal decompression is so good... why would you add exercises alongside it? Chiropractors, physical therapists, and other people who offer decompression to resolve your back, butt/piriformis, or sciatica pain... will claim that decompression works wonders... only to provide a whole host of other treatments in combination (because they're really not sure). Find the ONE thing that works... and multiply it.

3. Evidence is scattered around the effects of lumbar traction or spinal decompression. Does it pull on your legs and skin and back- probably... but is it enough to cause a meaningful change that lasts once you stand back up and gravity pops back in the picture? Probably not.

4. Decompression creates dependency. If you're in pain- do you really want to have to rely on someone else or some machine long term to resolve your pain? Your choice- but NOT me! At least with an inversion table, you're able to treat yourself from the comfort of your own home. If you find that decompression helps- ask yourself this... How long do I want to rely on this thing? And how much does this teach me about resolving this issue LONG term? (and the real answer is... it doesn't teach you much)

5. Decompression is NON-specific. Meaning, it can't target only this or that disc... it's pulling on everything within your pelvis, trunk, and hips. There's no way to target treatment at fixing a certain disc or "problem" area. Try viewing decompression as an input. Take the concept of what it does and see if you can devise a self treatment strategy that mimics its effect. Make sense?

At the end of the day... follow what feels good, but stay scientific and bring things back to basic logic.

#drcharliejohnsonpt #decompress #herniateddisc #sciatica #sciaticapainrelief #sciaticatreatment #backpain #backpainrelief #backpaintreatment #lowerbackpain #piriformissyndrome #lumbartraction
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[amelieveegaert]

My PT performed a couple of movements on me yesterday to initiate decompression. The pain in my butt and knee was near unbearable today. Out of despair, I did the clam and bridge and I’m able to go to bed without pain meds tonight. I can’t thank you enough.

[Kal-EL_Volta]

What's the difference between using a decompression machine and hanging by the feet or hands from a bar?

[maryanderson]

Excellent video with lots of Dr. Charlie nuggets. Thank you for helping me to become Outcome Independent. Glad I joined the GRA group!

[spindleblood]

"decompression" hurts like hell for me. My PT tells me it's because my spine is unstable still. He said it's better to do McGill Big 3 than to hang from a bar and I totally agree. I still hang though but it's to work on my grip strength.

[pamelacarstens]

Very interesting video. I have mixed feelings on this but I understand all of your points. I personally own my own inversion table and have found that it was the only thing that brought me relief from a compressed nerve due to bulging discs. I could not even sleep at night the pain was so bad in my hip and leg until I got some relief from the table. The inversion helped me to stand up straighter. If I go more than 3 or 4 days without it I am in more pain. In addition to the inversion table I do work out at least 30 mins a day and try to stretch when I have the time and do some foam rolling. Again, this is all very interesting info to ponder. Thanks

[MPirritano]

Will choose decompression over surgery EVERY TIME.

[smarterworkout]

I bought an inversion table and i think it helps. Its just one part of my herniation recovery.

[Gonar]

Most chiros are a scam. Those electroid sticky things is ridiculas. And what about the Y strap.

[alanalarsen]

Thank you for making this video. It was very helpful. I have a sciatic nerve problem. When to see a physical therapist. Started to do my exercises. I also stretch over the back of my couch to the front of my couch. Seems to open up my spine. I’m almost pain-free now. Just wanted to share this.

[paddlestandingup]

Really good video Charlie. Unscripted and real. Makes so much sense!

[ktrock]

Session 15?! I felt better after the 1st session.

[connormusic]

I disagree. A bulging or herniated disc is not a symptom; it is the cause of the stenosis causing pinched nerves. But in retrospect myself as a patient; I realize it's not the only cause. Arthrosis or bone spurs on the individual vertebrae can also cut into the nerve root. Hence the occasional need for surgery to excise the offending bone or fibrosis.
But after 24 treatments of computerized decompression; being a 65 year old male; I must say I am extremely disappointed in the results! I have very little improvement in my calf cramping, foot numbness, and SI-lumbar pain. During the treatments there were times that I felt I was slowly improving; but a couple of sessions later; the symptoms would come back with a rage. This is why I came to hear another doctor's opinion on whether a traction/flexion therapy might be different, or better for some people. So after the first 3 minutes of your video; I decided to go to another video from another clinic.

[nolanpaul]

Drx9000 causes my back to burn and hurt after treatment. I have an L5S1 bulge/annular tear. Wondering if the pain is the annular tear tearing further or the ligaments/multifidi tearing at a micro level…?

[willroche]

Did decompression and left hurting. He told me 5 or 6 sessions is what it takes? Do you do consultation on what I should do. I have spondy L5 grade 1/2 and arthritis.

[christbuilds]

I have a decompression machine for my neck from physical therapy, it does help my neck but I tried different ways to decompress my lower back and it does nothing but stretching it, which doesn't help.

[jerrycash]

I found a motion that eased the tension on the erector spinae muscle. Flared ribs+ lumbar rounding. How to strengthen psoas muscles.

[allisoncornell]

I thought decompression was to fix the cause...if the cause is a disc problem, anyway.