During spinal decompression therapy for the low back, the patient has a harness placed on their pelvis and chest, they then lie down on a motorized table. A cable is attached to their pelvic harness and their chest harness is secured to a fixed point on the table. Once the treatment begins the lower half of the table separates which reduces the amount of friction on the lower half of them body.

The treatment parameters are decided on by the practitioner and will vary according to the patient profile and the clinical condition. The treatment cycle will oscillate where the machine will pull for a period of time and then release 50% force for a period of time. This creates a pumping effect allowing the disc to rehydrate and the disc material to work its way back into the disc.

The patient should not feel pain during or after the decompression therapy although they should feel a stretch in the spine. The treatment time can vary from 15 min to 30 min per session and the patient will normally require between 12 - 24 visits. It is important that this treatment is in conjunction with a rehabilitation program that teaches self management strategies and core stabilization.