Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Computer-controlled traction that takes pressure off a compressed disc and the nerve it is pressing on.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a computer-controlled traction treatment that gently stretches the spine to reduce pressure inside a disc, easing compression on nearby nerves. Sessions typically last 15 to 30 minutes, you stay fully clothed, and most people find it comfortable. Dr. Malavenda uses it for herniated and bulging discs, sciatica, and degenerative disc pain.
Reviewed by Dr. Paul Malavenda, DC · Life University, 1987 · 39 years in Miami · Last reviewed October 28, 2026
What actually happens during a session
You lie on a motorized table, clothed, with a harness positioned around your pelvis or, for the neck, supporting your head. The table applies and releases traction in a controlled cycle rather than pulling steadily. That cycling is the point — it is intended to let the spinal muscles relax instead of guarding against a constant pull, so the vertebrae can separate slightly.
That small separation is intended to lower pressure inside the disc, which may help draw the displaced material inward and reduce its contact with the nerve.
What it is used for
- Herniated and bulging discs, lumbar or cervical
- Sciatica and nerve pain radiating into the leg
- Arm pain and tingling from a cervical disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint pain and spinal stenosis in selected cases
- Pain that persists after other conservative care
Is decompression right for you?
Decompression is one of the strongest non-surgical options available for a compressed disc, and many patients get meaningful relief from it without injections or surgery. It is the reason a lot of people walk into this office after being told surgery was their only path.
Whether it is the right tool for your specific problem depends on what is actually causing your symptoms, which is why Dr. Malavenda examines you and reviews imaging first rather than putting every patient on the table. If decompression is a good fit, he will tell you. If something else will serve you better, he will tell you that too — after 39 years, he has no interest in selling you care you do not need.
A typical course runs several sessions over a few weeks, combined with adjustment and rehabilitation exercises so the relief holds.
How we make sure it is right for you
Dr. Malavenda examines you and reviews your history before any decompression begins. Bring details of past surgeries, implants, or other conditions, and he will take it from there — screening for the handful of situations where traction is not the right approach is part of what the examination is for. After 39 years, that judgment is the thing you are really coming here for.
Common questions
Does it hurt?
It should not. Most people describe a gentle stretch, and some fall asleep. Tell us immediately if anything feels sharp and we stop and reassess.
Is it covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by plan and some do not cover it. After a car accident, Florida PIP may cover medically necessary care. We verify your benefits before care begins — see insurance and fees.
How is this different from an inversion table?
An inversion table uses body weight at a fixed angle. Decompression applies a measured, cycling force along a specific vector chosen for your spinal level, controlled and recorded by the equipment.
Book an appointment or call or text 305-MY-CHIRO (305-692-4476). Most insurance and Florida PIP accepted. Se habla español.
This page is general information and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan for any individual condition. Individual results vary. See a licensed clinician about your own situation.