What to Expect From Spinal Decompression for a Herniated Disc

Dr. Caitlyn Cortner, DC
Medically reviewed by Dr. Caitlyn Cortner, DC. Last reviewed: August 2026.

Spinal decompression for herniated disc pain is a non-surgical, traction-based approach that gently unloads compressed spinal discs to create conditions where the disc may retract and surrounding nerve tissue can recover. Research suggests that mechanical traction and conservative care are the preferred starting point for most adults with lumbar disc herniation when no significant neurological deficit is present [1]. At Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming, Georgia, Dr. Caitlyn Cortner offers non-surgical spinal decompression as part of a conservative-first approach — and refers patients for surgical consultation when symptoms or red-flag signs warrant it.

What Is a Herniated Disc — and Why Does It Hurt?

A lumbar disc herniation occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc — the nucleus pulposus — pushes through a tear in the tougher outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus [2]. The displaced material can press against nearby nerve roots, producing a familiar pattern of symptoms: aching or sharp low back pain, pain that radiates down the buttock and into one leg (commonly called sciatica), and occasionally numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness along the affected nerve's path.

Disc herniations most commonly occur in the lower lumbar spine — at the L4–L5 or L5–S1 levels — because those segments bear the most load during daily movement. Prolonged sitting, heavy lifting with poor mechanics, repetitive bending, and simple age-related changes in disc hydration can all contribute. Not every herniation causes severe symptoms; some are discovered incidentally on imaging. But when a herniation does produce nerve-related pain, the discomfort can significantly limit movement, work, and quality of life.

The reassuring news is that most symptomatic lumbar disc herniations do not require surgery. Guidelines consistently support an initial trial of conservative care — including manual therapy, targeted exercise, and mechanical traction-based approaches — before surgical options are considered, provided no significant neurologic deficit or red-flag findings are present [1][3].

Can Spinal Decompression Help With a Herniated Disc?

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a mechanical traction-based treatment performed on a specialized motorized table. The device applies a precise, computer-controlled distraction force along the spine — gently separating the vertebral segments and temporarily reducing intradiscal pressure. The goal is to create negative pressure within the disc that may allow displaced material to retract, while also increasing the flow of nutrients, oxygen, and hydration back into the disc space.

Research on mechanical traction and lumbar disc herniation provides a reasonably encouraging picture. A meta-analysis of studies comparing mechanical lumbar traction to conventional physical therapy found that traction was associated with lower pain scores and reduced disability in adults with disc herniation [4]. A narrative review of non-surgical approaches to lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy identified traction-based care among the conservative options carrying meaningful clinical evidence, alongside manual therapy and exercise [3].

It is important to frame these findings accurately: studies examine mechanical traction broadly, not any single branded device or protocol. Results vary by individual, and this evidence does not mean everyone with a herniated disc will respond to decompression care. What it does support is that spinal decompression belongs in a thoughtful, conservative-first care plan for appropriate candidates.

At Arise Family Chiropractic, spinal decompression is never a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Dr. Cortner reviews your health history and exam findings first to determine whether decompression is appropriate for your specific presentation — or whether a different approach, referral, or imaging is the better next step.

What Happens During a Spinal Decompression Session at Arise?

If you are a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression, here is what to expect.

Getting started: Sessions at Arise Family Chiropractic run 20 to 30 minutes. You remain fully clothed and lie on the decompression table. A harness is secured around your pelvis (for lumbar treatment) and the table is calibrated to your body weight and the parameters Dr. Cortner has set for your specific condition.

During the session: The table cycles through alternating phases of gentle pull and relaxation. Most patients describe the sensation as a subtle stretch — not painful, and often relaxing. The motorized control allows precise adjustment, so the distraction force is consistent and reproducible across sessions.

After the session: You may feel immediate relief, mild muscular relaxation, or simply neutral. A small subset of patients notices mild achiness similar to post-exercise tenderness; this typically resolves within 24 hours. Significant or persistent soreness after a session is not expected and should be reported so Dr. Cortner can adjust the protocol.

Course of care: A typical course of non-surgical spinal decompression at our practice runs 20 to 25 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. The exact number is individualized and reviewed with you based on how you are responding. Decompression sessions are often paired with chiropractic adjustments and soft-tissue care to support overall spinal mobility and muscular balance during the course of treatment.

When Should You Seek Other or More Urgent Care?

Not every herniated disc is a candidate for conservative management, and not every case that starts conservatively stays that way. Dr. Cortner is trained to recognize when the appropriate next step is a referral rather than continued in-office care.

Seek more urgent evaluation — including same-day or emergency care — if you experience:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control — this can indicate cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency
• Progressive motor weakness — rapidly increasing weakness in the leg or foot, not just pain
• Saddle-area numbness — numbness in the inner thighs, groin, or perineum
• Severe pain that is worsening, not plateauing or improving, over the first days of care
• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or history of cancer — these are red flags for non-mechanical causes of back pain

Additionally, if you are undergoing a conservative course of care and your symptoms are not improving after a reasonable trial, Dr. Cortner will discuss next steps, which may include advanced imaging (MRI), co-management with your primary care physician, or referral to a spine specialist or pain management provider. The goal is always to connect you with the right level of care — not to keep you in a care model that isn't serving you.

Local Context: Serving Disc Pain Patients Across Forsyth County

Arise Family Chiropractic is located at 5456 Bethelview Rd in Cumming, Georgia — convenient to families and working adults throughout South Forsyth, Windermere, Vickery, and the surrounding Cumming area. Many of our spinal decompression patients come to us from neighboring communities including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and Dawsonville.

Disc injuries don't care about zip codes, but access to non-surgical care does. If you work for one of Forsyth County's larger employers — the Forsyth County School System, Forsyth County Government, or any of the industrial employers along the county's growth corridor — and you spend long hours sitting at a desk or in a vehicle, you may be among those most prone to the kind of disc stress that leads to herniation over time. Dr. Cortner has worked with Cumming-area patients dealing with exactly this kind of occupationally driven lumbar pain since founding the practice in 2018.

Our office is also close to Northside Hospital Forsyth, which means that patients who are co-managing their disc condition with a physician, imaging center, or specialist can coordinate care easily across providers in the same community.

If you are in the Cumming or greater Forsyth County area and wondering whether spinal decompression might be appropriate for your disc pain, a consultation with Dr. Cortner is the right first step.

Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

How many spinal decompression sessions do you need for a herniated disc?

At Arise Family Chiropractic, a typical course of non-surgical spinal decompression runs 20 to 25 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. The exact number is individualized — Dr. Cortner monitors how you respond and adjusts the plan accordingly. Longer-standing disc conditions generally require more sessions than acute presentations. The specific care recommendations are reviewed with you at a follow-up visit after your initial exam.

Is spinal decompression effective for herniated discs?

Research on mechanical traction — the basis of spinal decompression — suggests it may be associated with reduced pain and disability compared to conventional physical therapy alone for adults with lumbar disc herniation. That said, results are individual, and decompression is not the right fit for everyone. Dr. Cortner evaluates each patient's presentation before recommending it as part of a conservative care plan.

Is spinal decompression painful?

Most patients find spinal decompression comfortable — many describe it as a gentle stretch or even relaxing. Sessions at Arise last 20 to 30 minutes. A small number of patients notice mild muscular achiness afterward, similar to mild post-exercise tenderness, which typically resolves within 24 hours. If anything feels uncomfortable during a session, the table parameters can be adjusted right away.

What happens during a spinal decompression session?

You lie fully clothed on a motorized traction table with a harness secured around your pelvis. The table applies a gentle, computer-controlled distraction force that cycles through pull-and-release phases over 20 to 30 minutes. The force is calibrated to your body weight and specific disc level. Most patients feel a comfortable stretching sensation. After the session, you can typically return to normal light activity.

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Yes, for many adults it can. Clinical guidelines support an initial 6–12 week trial of conservative care for lumbar disc herniation when no significant neurologic deficit is present. Most patients improve with non-surgical management over weeks to months. Surgery becomes a consideration when conservative care has not produced adequate improvement, or when red-flag findings — such as progressive weakness or loss of bladder control — are present from the start.

How long do results from spinal decompression last?

How long relief lasts varies by individual and depends on factors like the severity of the disc injury, lifestyle habits, and whether supportive care — such as chiropractic adjustments or targeted exercise — continues after the main course. Research on long-term outcomes of mechanical traction is still developing. Dr. Cortner discusses realistic expectations and any maintenance recommendations at your follow-up visit, based on your specific response.

Who should not have spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not recommended for patients with severe osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, advanced spinal instability, significant spinal tumors, or recent spinal hardware (screws, rods). Pregnancy is also a contraindication. During your initial consultation at Arise Family Chiropractic, Dr. Cortner reviews your health history and any imaging to determine whether decompression is safe and appropriate for your situation.

What is the success rate of spinal decompression therapy?

Arise Family Chiropractic does not have a published success rate for spinal decompression, and we are careful not to cite industry figures that may not reflect individual outcomes. Published research on mechanical traction shows it compares favorably to conventional physical therapy for pain and disability in lumbar disc herniation patients — but results depend on the individual. Dr. Cortner will give you an honest picture of what to expect based on your specific exam findings.

Does Arise Family Chiropractic offer spinal decompression in Cumming, GA?

Yes. Dr. Caitlyn Cortner offers non-surgical spinal decompression at Arise Family Chiropractic, located at 5456 Bethelview Rd, Suite 103B in Cumming, Georgia. We serve patients from throughout Forsyth County, including South Forsyth, Windermere, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Suwanee, and Dawsonville. Call (770) 406-8208 to schedule a consultation.

Can I combine spinal decompression with chiropractic adjustments?

Yes, and at Arise Family Chiropractic this is often how care is structured. Spinal decompression sessions address disc-level pressure, while chiropractic adjustments work on joint mobility and spinal alignment. Soft-tissue therapy may also be incorporated. Dr. Cortner reviews your exam findings and determines which combination of approaches fits your specific presentation — the two are complementary, not competing.

If you are dealing with disc-related back pain or sciatica and want to explore whether non-surgical spinal decompression might be right for you, Dr. Caitlyn Cortner is ready to help. Your first visit at Arise Family Chiropractic in Cumming, GA includes a thorough health history review, physical exam, and — in almost all cases — your first adjustment. Call us at (770) 406-8208 or visit arisefamilychiropractic.com to book your consultation. Serving Cumming, South Forsyth, Windermere, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, and Suwanee. Learn more about our spinal decompression service or our approach to herniated disc care.

References

[1] Kögl N, Petr O, Löscher W, Liljenqvist U, Thomé C. Lumbar Disc Herniation—the Significance of Symptom Duration for the Indication for Surgery. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2024;121(13):440-448. - https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0074
[2] Zhang AS, Xu A, Ansari K, et al. Lumbar Disc Herniation: Diagnosis and Management. Am J Med. 2023;136(7):645-651. - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.03.024
[3] El Melhat AM, Youssef ASA, Zebdawi MR, Hafez MA, Khalil LH, Harrison DE. Non-Surgical Approaches to the Management of Lumbar Disc Herniation Associated with Radiculopathy: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med. 2024;13(4). - https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13040974
[4] Wang W, Long F, Wu X, Li S, Lin J. Clinical Efficacy of Mechanical Traction as Physical Therapy for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Meta-Analysis. Comput Math Methods Med. 2022;2022:5670303. - https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/5670303

This post is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for guidance specific to your condition.