Spinal Decompression Therapy - What Is It?

Spinal Decompression Therapy is a safe, non-surgical and drug-free treatment method for chronic neck and lower back conditions associated with disc herniation and joint degeneration. It works by gently lengthening the spine and releasing pressure within the discs, creating ideal conditions for healing.

At Canberra Spine Centre, we use the Hill DT Spinal Decompression table – the industry-leading Decompression Table on the world market. Fairly new to Australia, the TGA approved Hill DT table is unrivalled, with its instant biofeedback system that ensures safety & total comfort for patients.

What sets the The Hill DT table apart from other treatment tables?

Clinically proven success

Spinal Decompression Therapy using the Hill DT table has had a long track record of clinically proven success in treating the pain and symptoms of: – Disc Bulges & Herniations – Facet Syndrome – Disc Degeneration & Spinal Stenosis.

High-tech movement control

High-tech Bio-Intuitive Technology in the Hill Decompression table helps to prevent your muscles from the tensing and pulling that can create further pain and damage in less sophisticated equipment. It does this by continually providing feedback, allowing the Decompression Table to respond to changes in muscle tension in milliseconds. The result – increased safety and comfort for the patient.

Avoid the pitfalls of cable slack

Traditional traction tables use a cable to pull on the spine. As this type of table releases, the slack in the cable can cause a reaction and muscle guarding in the body, resulting in increased disc pressure – the very thing we want to reduce and treat!

Instead of a cable, the Decompression Table uses an actuator (threaded axial shaft) monitored for force and elongation by multiple sensors every 20 milliseconds. The combination of the high-tech sensors and the actuator provides precision and safety for the patient. This creates a better treatment result with less chance of injury and pain during treatment.

The ‘supine’ position for reduced disc pressure

Traditional traction tables often place people on their stomach (prone) during treatment. This has the unwanted effect of starting treatment in a position that increases lumbar disc pressure!
Patients being treated on the Decompression Table are placed ‘supine’ (on their back) with the legs supported in a comfortably bent position. This position is not only more comfortable for the patient, but has the added bonus of reduced disc pressure, creating a more effective treatment.

What does Spinal Decompression do?

A series of gentle movements

Each decompression treatment slowly and gently lengthens the spine and lowers pressure within the discs between the vertebrae. The unique table programs, combined with the actuator (non-cable) mechanism and array of sensors, ensure that your spine is taken safely through a series of movements to treat the discs and other soft tissues of the spine.

Stretching tissues, lowering disc pressure

Repetitive movements by the revolutionary Hill DT Spinal Decompression table pull and release over a period of time, creating a negative pressure within the intervertebral disc and gently stretching surrounding soft tissue and spinal joints. The pressure reduction inside the disc (decompression) allows the material of the disc bulge or herniation to be drawn back into the disc.

Typical results

Patients typically experience resolution or significant improvement of their condition within 20-30 treatments. Research shows that continued improvement is seen up to 4 years following the Spinal Decompression Therapy program.