Decompression is defined as reduction in pressure (intradiscal). Recumbent positions (both prone and supine) decrease intradiscal pressures in comparison to standing and sitting. However focused, axial mechanical+Y translation traction, (creating 'Decompression' i.e. unloading due to distraction and positioning) has been shown to reduce disc pressure and enhance the healing response even further.

There is some suggestion in the literature that extruded nuclear material may be "drawn in" by the reduction of intradiscal pressures. This concept however is not uniformly accepted since the length of time the material stays 'drawn in' has not been established in controlled studies. However, a temporary reduction in intradiscal pressure can still have a profound effect on the healing process via increased contact with the blood supply and fibroblast migration (so called phasic effects). This is in addition to the pain relief created neurologically by stretching soft tissue (e.g. stretch receptors, mechanoreceptors etc.) make Decompression Traction Therapy a logical and viable addition to a "passive" pain care regiment.

Clinically it is important to establish criteria both in the utilization of DecompressionTraction Therapy and in defining its utility. (As with many therapies, hyperbole and overstatement are common.) Axial Decompression (both lumbar and cervical) is first and foremost a "passive" therapy and as such has definite limitations in "curing" a chronic musculoskeletal condition. Its value is most specific in helping referral pain not solely low back or acute low back pain (symptoms for which manipulation has proven beneficial).

By significantly reducing intradiscal pressure, Spinal Disc Decompression promotes retraction of the herniation into the disc and facilitates influx of oxygen, proline and other substrates. The promotion of fibro elastic activity stimulates repair and inhibits leakage of irritant sulphates and carboxylates from the nucleus. The most recent trial sought to correlate clinical success with MRI evidence of disc repair in the annulus, nucleus, facetjoint and foramina as a result of treatment and found that reduction of disc herniation ranged between 10% and 90% depending on the number of sessions performed, while annulus patching and healing was evident in all cases.

The Spinal Decompression Table in conjunction with additional modalities effectively relieves the pain and disability resulting from disc injury and degeneration, by repairing damaged discs and reversing dystrophic changes in nerves. Spinal Disc Decompression addresses the functional and mechanical aspects of discogenic pain and disease through non-surgical Decompression of lumbar intervertebral discs. Studies verify the significant reduction of intradiscal pressures into the negative range, to approximately minus 150 mm/HG, which result in the non-surgical Decompression of the disc and nerve root. Conventional traction has never demonstrated a reduction of intradiscal pressure to negative ranges; on the contrary - many traction devices actually increased intradiscal pressure, most likely due to reflex muscle spasm. The Decompression Table is designed to apply distraction tension to the patient’s lumbar spine without eliciting reflex paravertebral muscle contractions.