What Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy?
A Beginner’s Guide

Introduction

If you’re searching for back pain relief without surgery,

you’ve likely come across terms like “spinal

decompression,” “non-surgical spinal decompression

therapy,” or “disc decompression.” At Triangle Spinal

Decompression in Cary, NC, we specialize in exactly

that — using the advanced Chattanooga Triton DTS

System integrated with chiropractic care and

physiotherapy modalities to help patients restore

spinal health without invasive surgery.

 

Here’s a simplified explanation of how non-surgical spinal decompression works:

​

1. Targeted spinal separation: A specialized treatment table and computer-controlled system gently stretch the spine—either cervical (neck) or lumbar (lower back) segments—creating a distraction or negative-pressure (vacuum) effect inside the intervertebral discs.

2. Negative intra-discal pressure: That vacuum effect helps to “pull” bulging or herniated disc material back toward the center of the disc, away from nerves and away from the outer fibrous ring. Studies on devices such as the Triton DTS show disc height increases and pain reductions correlating with this effect.

3. Improved nutrient/oxygen flow & healing: The negative pressure opens up spaces and creates a “pumping” action that promotes fluid exchange, nutrient delivery and disc hydration—factors that contribute to natural tissue healing.

4. Reduced nerve compression: As the disc material retracts, pressure on adjacent nerves or the spinal canal decreases, resulting in relief of symptoms like back pain, radiating leg pain (sciatica), tingling, numbness or weakness.

5. Non-surgical, non-invasive: Because it’s done without surgery, without fusion, without implants and generally without long recovery or anaesthesia, it is considered a conservative care option for many disc-related conditions.

 

Why “Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression” vs Traditional Traction

​

Many back-pain sufferers have tried or heard of spinal traction. But standard traction and modern spinal decompression differ significantly in mechanism and potential outcomes.

​

• Traditional traction typically applies a constant or slowly varying pull to the spine (e.g., 20-40 lbs of force) and relies largely on stretching the spine and surrounding muscles. Muscle guarding (the body resisting the stretch) can limit its effectiveness.

• Spinal decompression uses a computer-controlled, intermittent pull sequence, variable speeds, pretension/regression phases, gradient pulls and protocols that isolate the disc under negative pressure—rather than simply stretching the spine.)

• In a recent comparison study using the Triton DTS device, both traction and decompression improved pain and function—but decompression showed a higher success rate for disc-related cases in other studies.)

• One source states that decompression can reduce intra-discal pressure to negative values (e.g., −150 mmHg) whereas traction might only reduce it to about +30 to +40 mmHg (still above zero).

 

In short: if you’re searching for “back pain relief without surgery,” you’ll want to know that what we offer at Triangle Spinal Decompression is a targeted, computer-controlled spinal decompression system — not just generic traction.

 

Why We Use the Chattanooga Triton DTS System

 

At Triangle Spinal Decompression, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art equipment: the Chattanooga Triton DTS® system. Here’s what makes it special:

​

It offers 5 unique Triton DTS pull patterns for lumbar and

cervical treatment, enabling us to closely replicate manual

therapy pull patterns in a programmable, precise manner.

 

The system features independent timing for pretension,

progression, traction and regression phases—and variable

speed motors (30 %, 50 %, 100 %) to tailor treatment to

patient comfort and response.

 

Integrated with a high-resolution touchscreen interface, full

colour clinical graphic library (anatomy, belting techniques)

and data cards for patient-specific protocol tracking.

 

It supports both cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) spinal decompression, giving us flexibility for patients with a variety of disc-related issues.

 

By combining this equipment with our chiropractic and physiotherapy services, we’re able to deliver a comprehensive, non-surgical spinal decompression program that is comfortable, effective and tailored to you.

 

How We Integrate Spinal Decompression, Chiropractic & Physiotherapy at Our Cary Clinic

 

At Triangle Spinal Decompression in Cary, NC, we believe that spinal decompression works best when it’s embedded inside a broader care strategy-

​

Our approach includes:

​

Chiropractic care:

Before (and during) decompression sessions, our chiropractors perform a thorough evaluation of your spine, disc condition, posture, biomechanics and nerve involvement. They provide adjustments, mobilizations and soft-tissue work to optimize spinal alignment and prepare your body for decompression.

 

State-of-the-art physiotherapy modalities:

After decompression treatments or in combination, we

utilize physiotherapy tools such as therapeutic ultrasound,

electrical muscle stimulation, Cold Laser, Shockwave

Therapy, instrumented soft-tissue work, corrective exercise,

traction/bracing protocols, and spinal stabilization exercises.

 

Tailored treatment plans:

Every patient receives a customized plan—whether you’re

dealing with a bulging disc, herniated disc, degenerative disc

disease, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression — we adjust t

he decompression protocol (pull patterns, duration, frequency)

and rehab plan accordingly.

 

Monitoring and progression:

We track your progress (pain levels, mobility, function) and adjust the plan as you improve — both on the decompression and in your chiropractic + physiotherapy sessions.

 

Goal-based outcomes:

Ultimately, our aim is to reduce pain, improve disc function/height, restore nerve health, and help you avoid surgery — all while enhancing your strength, flexibility and spinal resilience.

 

In short: the Triton DTS is a powerful tool, but it is the synergy of decompression + chiropractic + physical therapy modalities that gives you the best chance for long-term relief.

 

What to Expect: Typical Session & Timeline

 

Here’s a typical “what to expect” scenario when you come in for non-surgical spinal decompression at our Cary clinic:

​

• Initial consultation: We’ll evaluate your history, imaging (plain film radiography + MRI/CT if available), disc-related pathology, symptoms (e.g., back pain, sciatica, neck/arm pain), and determine if you’re a candidate.

• Course of treatment: While individual needs vary, once accepted for treatment -  many disc-based programs involve 12-20 sessions over several weeks—often 2-4 sessions per week initially. The exact number depends on your diagnosis, symptom severity, disc condition, response to care and your goals.

• Pre-decompression chiropractic/physio: Before the spinal decompression session, you may receive targeted chiropractic adjustment + soft-tissue work or physiotherapy modality to reinforce the decompression effect, improve mobility, and strengthen supporting structures.

• Set-up and comfort: You lie on the Triton DTS table in a comfortable position (supine/prone) depending on whether we’re treating lumbar or cervical. Belts/harnesses secure you in place. A pretension phase may begin to relax your muscles and ease you into the session.

• Decompression cycle: The system applies pull forces in a controlled sequence (pretension → traction phase → regression) with variable speeds and oscillations. Most sessions last ~20-30 minutes (sometimes longer). You will remain relaxed — many patients report it is very comfortable.

• Progress monitoring: We measure pain, function, mobility and sometimes imaging changes (if applicable). You may gradually transition to fewer sessions and solely maintenance/rehab once relief is achieved.

 

Who It Can Help — And Who Might Not Be A Candidate

 

Good Candidates

• Individuals with disc-bulges, herniated or protruding discs causing back or leg pain (sciatica) or neck/arm symptoms.

• Patients who have been told “surgery may be needed” but wish to explore conservative care first (non-surgical).

• People with chronic low back or neck pain that hasn’t responded fully to medications, physical therapy or chiropractic care alone.

• Those seeking a comprehensive approach: spinal decompression + chiropractic + physiotherapy.

 

When Caution or Referral May Be Needed

• Patients with recent spinal fractures, spinal fusion hardware, metal implants, severe osteoporosis, spinal infection, or spinal instability may not be suitable for decompression.

• Individuals with very large extruded discs or severe neurological deficits may still require surgical consultation and might use decompression as adjunctive or preparatory care.

• As with all treatments — individual results will vary. While studies report good results (e.g., disc height increase, pain reduction) the therapy is not guaranteed to eliminate surgery or completely reverse pathology in every case.

 

Why Choose Triangle Spinal Decompression in Cary, NC?

​

• Trusted Experience and Reputation: We've been providing care for the people of Cary and surrounding communities for over 35 years.

• Advanced Technology: We use the cutting-edge Chattanooga Triton DTS, a superior system designed for modern, programmable spinal decompression.

• Holistic Care: We don’t just run machine sessions—we integrate chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy modalities for optimal results.

• Customized Planning: From evaluation to treatment plan to progress monitoring, everything is tailored to you and your spine condition.

• Comfort & Safety: Treatments are gentle, comfortable and overseen by experienced clinicians who understand disc-based pathology and chiropractic/physio synergy.

• Non-Surgical Focus: For patients seeking “back pain relief without surgery”, we provide a genuine conservative alternative — when appropriate — with technology and care aligned for that goal.

 

Take the First Step

If you are experiencing chronic low back or neck pain, disc-related

symptoms, sciatica, or you’ve been exploring surgical options but

want to avoid them if possible, please contact us for a no-obligation

consultation at our Cary, NC location. We’ll help determine if you’re

a candidate for non-surgical spinal decompression and build a plan

tailored to your spine, your goals and your lifestyle.

 

Summary

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive,

computer-controlled method of applying negative pressure to

intervertebral discs—allowing bulges or herniations to retract,

reducing nerve compression, improving disc hydration and

promoting healing. When paired with chiropractic care and

physiotherapy — as we deliver at Triangle Spinal Decompression

in Cary — it becomes a powerful alternative to consider for back pain

relief without surgery. If you’re searching for “back pain relief without

surgery,” we’re here to help.

​

​