What side effects are common?
Mild, short-lived soreness or stiffness, a bit like starting a new stretching routine.
- Soreness or achiness in the low back or neck after a session.
- Muscle tightness or mild spasm.
- Temporary stiffness, especially early in a plan.
- Mild discomfort from the harness at the hips or chest.
These usually fade within a day or so. Tell the staff if they don't. See does decompression hurt?
What less common problems have been reported?
In traction studies, some people had more pain or worse nerve symptoms, and a few went on to surgery.
The Cochrane review of traction for low back pain found side effects reported in 7 of 32 studies, including increased pain, aggravation of neurological signs and subsequent surgery. Four studies reported no side effects, and the rest didn't mention them. Those studies weren't all of decompression tables specifically, but they're the best available guide.
Normal soreness or a warning sign?
Soreness that fades is normal. Pain that's sharper, spreading or comes with numbness or weakness is not.
| Usually normal | Report to the doctor | Get emergency care |
|---|---|---|
| Mild ache that fades within a day | Pain that's sharper, spreading or building over several days | Loss of bladder or bowel control |
| Feeling loose or a bit stiff | New or spreading numbness or tingling | Numbness in the groin or inner thighs |
| Mild harness pressure marks | New leg or arm weakness | Sudden severe weakness in a leg |
Bladder or bowel changes with groin numbness can signal cauda equina syndrome, a medical emergency (Cleveland Clinic).
Who is at higher risk?
People with weak bones, recent fractures, spinal hardware, instability, certain blood-vessel problems, some cancers, or pregnancy.
These are reasons decompression is generally not recommended, from the guidelines Springville Disc Center publishes. Each one is explained in who should not have spinal decompression, and the full list is on the candidates page.
How does the clinic reduce the risks?
By screening first, starting gently, and adjusting or stopping when something doesn't feel right.
- A history and exam before any treatment, plus a review of imaging if you have it.
- Settings adjusted to your comfort, with the session stopped if it hurts.
- Checking in on how you felt after each visit.
- Referral when decompression isn't appropriate.
Questions about risks? Ask Dr. Gordon Stapel, DC at your consultation, or call (801) 491-8688.
Side effect FAQs
What are the side effects of spinal decompression?
Can spinal decompression make my back worse?
How long does soreness last after decompression?
Who is at higher risk of problems?
Is spinal decompression safer than surgery?
Talk with Dr. Stapel about your pain
Call the office or request a free consultation. You'll talk through your symptoms and history, and you'll get an honest answer about whether spinal decompression is worth considering for you.
The consultation is free, with no obligation to start treatment. Have an MRI? Ask about the free MRI review.
Sources
This website is operated for Stapel Family Chiropractic (Springville Disc Center) in Springville, Utah. Care is provided by Dr. Gordon Stapel, DC, a licensed chiropractic physician. About this site.