What are the alternatives to non-surgical spinal decompression?

Non-surgical spinal decompression applies repeated pulling forces through a specialised table. Other approaches may focus on restoring movement and strength rather than applying traction. Physiotherapy can combine education, trunk or hip exercises, manual techniques, and a graded return to normal activity. A clinician may also recommend short-term symptom relief measures or investigate whether a herniated disc is contributing to lower-back pain or radiating leg pain. Traction therapy is another form of pulling treatment, but it is not automatically suitable for every cause of spinal pain.

Ask for an assessment that covers leg strength, sensation, reflexes, movement, and the pattern of your pain. Share how long symptoms have been present and which positions change them. A practical plan may begin with staying gently active, avoiding movements that sharply increase symptoms, and following a specific home programme. If a spinal decompression table has been proposed, ask what improvement would be expected, how it will be monitored, and what the next step would be if symptoms do not change. The treatment should fit the diagnosis, not only the equipment available.

Seek urgent medical care for new bladder or bowel control problems, numbness around the inner thighs or groin, rapidly increasing leg weakness, or severe pain after major trauma. Fever, unexplained illness, or pain that is steadily worsening also warrants prompt assessment. Do not start traction or delay examination when these warning signs are present.

What is the most likely source of my back or leg symptoms? Would physiotherapy be appropriate now? Could traction help or aggravate my condition? How will we measure progress, and which symptoms require urgent review?