What Does Spinal Decompression Feel Like? (Most People Nap)

What a Spinal Decompression Actually Feels Like 

During a spinal decompression, you lie face up on our DRX9000 table, and you’re fully clothed. Dr. Nguyen will fit a brace around you. Your neck gets a pillow, while your knees get a support. The table declines slowly until you’re comfortable. Then, the machine starts to gently pull and release, another pull and release. It does so in slow cycles for 28 to 30 minutes. 

The sensation is a mild stretch through your lower back or neck. It’s not sharp. The pull is not more than your body can handle because it is measured and capped at half your body weight. Your first visit starts at just 60% of the plan. As the pressure comes off the nerves, our patients describe it as having a spa day after a long day.

Does It Hurt? Why I Might Be Sore After? 

Spinal decompression doesn’t hurt at all. Some patients may feel a dull muscle ache for a few days. But the reason for this is that your muscles get pulled session after session, and they push back. A muscle that fights the pull will complain about it later. It’s the same feeling when you work out for the first time after a long while. 

It’s the full list of common side effects. There’s no incision to heal and no medication to take. There’s also no downtime. You can get up, drive home safely, and do your normal daily activities. 

Is Spinal Decompression Safe? 

Spinal decompression is safe for the right patient. This is the reason Dr. Nguyen screens his patients before recommending this therapy. At Dallas Spine Center, you will undergo a complete checkup, including in-house digital X-rays. 

• This therapy is not for you if you have discs that have degenerated to bone-on-bone because there’s no disc height left to restore. 
• If you have symptoms like new weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or a suspected fracture, you must go to a physician first. 
• The pull is controlled by a computer, and it’s calculated precisely based on your weight. There’s no guesswork here. 
• You are reassessed through the plan. If your body isn’t responding, you get an MRI or a second opinion. 

How Often to Undergo Spinal Decompression and for How Long? 

A full spinal decompression plan can run between 20 and 28 sessions. Each session is half an hour. We follow the research protocol. You may read more about it here on the spinal decompression page. You may need to visit more often in the early stage of your care. But as your disc responds, your visits will be reduced. If you’re still wondering about this therapy, here’s our plain-English guide to spinal decompression. It covers how the treatment works. The rest of your questions might already have been answered here on our Q&A page.