Although laypeople may consider traction and decompression as interchangeable treatments for lower back and neck pain, they have several major differences.
Decompression treatment, also known as spinal decompression therapy, is a noninvasive treatment designed to ease back pain without having to resort to surgery or more extreme therapies. Decompression treatments can be performed alone at home or can be performed by a professional. Decompression treatment can cause some side effects.
Decompression therapy pertains to relieving pressure on the spine to treat back pain, herniated discs, numbness and several other conditions related to the spine. Spinal decompression seeks to relieve the vertical compression of the spine and maligned vertebrae and discs. The structural problems of the spine put pressure on the nerves, causing symptoms. Spinal decompression can involve surgery, but the term "spinal decompression therapy" generally refers to non-surgical stretching out of the spine, or traction, along with additional procedures to enhance effectiveness.
Decompression therapy is an option for many back conditions especially before considering a more invasive treatment like surgery. It requires the use of a specifically-designed table. There is some controversy about whether spinal traction and decompression are truly different treatments.
Spinal decompression is an option for relieving back pain. Decompression involves relieving pressure from the disks which are located in the spine. This will help to heal an injured area.