SPINAL DECOMPRESSION. MCCLEAN CHIROPRACTIC
Non-Surgical Relief for Disc Pain, Sciatica and Nerve Compression
We use motion imaging to confirm your diagnosis before recommending decompression. So you only get treatment you actually need.
We treat the real cause of your pain, not just the symptoms. With advanced imaging and expert training in spinal biomechanics, we get you moving, pain-free, and back to life.
Accident & Injury Recovery
Chronic Pain & Spine
Aches & Functional Issues
What Is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal decompression is a non-surgical traction therapy designed to relieve pressure on compressed or damaged spinal discs. By gently stretching the spine, it creates negative pressure inside the disc, encouraging bulging or herniated material to retract and promoting the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients back into the disc to support healing.
At McClean Chiropractic, we never recommend decompression without first confirming your diagnosis with motion X-ray imaging. Motion X-rays allow us to evaluate how your spine actually moves under load, so we can identify the true source of your pain and determine whether decompression is appropriate for your specific condition.
Conditions We Treat With Decompression
Spinal decompression may be appropriate for patients dealing with:
- Disc herniation
- Bulging or degenerative discs
- Sciatica and radiating leg pain
- Facet syndrome
- Chronic low back or neck pain
- Failed conservative care
Not everyone is a candidate for decompression. We conduct a thorough evaluation to make sure it is the right approach before beginning any treatment.
- Thorough Evaluation
- Precise Diagnosis
- Targeted Treatment
- Long-Term Function Restoration
How It Works at McClean
- Evaluation and Imaging. We begin with a thorough exam and motion X-ray to assess your spine in motion and confirm the source of your symptoms.
- Candidacy Review. Our doctor reviews your imaging and history to determine whether decompression is appropriate for your specific condition.
- Decompression Sessions. If you are a candidate, treatment involves 15 to 20 minute sessions on our Chattanooga Triton DTS motorized traction table that gently stretches and decompresses the spine.
- Progress Monitoring. We re-evaluate regularly to track your response to treatment and adjust the plan as needed.
Who Is NOT a Candidate?
Structural Contraindications
Spinal fractures, fusion hardware or implants, severe osteoporosis
Active Medical Conditions
Active spinal cancer or tumors, pregnancy
Ready to Find Out If Decompression Is Right for You?
Same-day evaluations available in Provo, Utah. We will review your imaging, examine your spine, and give you a straight answer.
When back pain hijacks your life, guessing isn’t good enough. At McClean Spine, we bring serious spine credentials: fellowship training, motion imaging, and even AI tech to actually see what’s going on. We read your MRI, connect the dots with your X-rays and exam, and pinpoint what others might miss. This isn’t just about short-term fixes. It’s about getting you back to moving, living, and doing what you love.
Our spinal decompression protocol
We perform non-surgical spinal decompression using the Triton DTS (Decompression Traction System) by Chattanooga. An FDA-cleared decompression platform capable of both cervical and lumbar treatment. Triton DTS applies precisely controlled, logarithmic distraction forces that gently separate adjacent vertebrae, creating negative pressure inside the disc space. That negative pressure can pull herniated disc material back toward center, draw nutrients and oxygen into degenerated discs, and take direct pressure off compressed nerve roots.
Decompression is rarely our only treatment. It’s most effective when it’s part of a structured plan. A typical decompression program at our Provo clinic combines:
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Triton DTS decompression sessions. Logarithmic traction personal to your spinal level and diagnosis
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Motion X-Ray or MRI correlation. We want to know exactly which segments are involved before we decompress
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Chiropractic Biophysics (CBP) traction. The UTS (universal traction system) and Robotable allow us to address posture and global spinal alignment
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Soft-tissue work and rehab. Cold laser therapy, shockwave, vibration, and targeted exercise
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Computer-assisted biofeedback. Rehab equipment that quantifies progress session over session
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ATM2 (Active Therapeutic Movement) by BackProject. For patients with pain inhibition or movement guarding
Most decompression programs run 4 to 8 weeks depending on severity, with treatment frequency tapering as the disc responds. The goal is not life-long dependence. It’s to resolve the underlying mechanical problem so you can return to normal activity without surgery or long-term pain management.
Is spinal decompression right for you?
Decompression therapy works well for some spinal conditions and not others. Here’s when it’s typically appropriate. And when it isn’t.
Good candidates for spinal decompression:
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Herniated or bulging discs (cervical or lumbar)
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Sciatica and radicular leg pain from disc involvement
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Cervical radiculopathy. Arm pain, numbness, or tingling from a neck disc
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Degenerative disc disease with mechanical back or neck pain
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Facet-mediated pain with associated disc narrowing
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Chronic low-back pain that hasn’t responded to standard chiropractic or PT
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Post-surgical patients cleared by their surgeon (varies by procedure)
When decompression is NOT appropriate:
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Acute spinal fracture or unstable vertebral injury
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Severe osteoporosis
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Spinal tumor, infection, or inflammatory arthritis in active flare
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Pregnancy (for lumbar decompression)
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Certain post-surgical spinal hardware. Case-by-case
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Cauda equina syndrome or progressive neurological deficit. This is a surgical emergency, not a decompression candidate
That’s why we require imaging review and a full consultation before starting any decompression program. If you send us your MRI through our Free MRI Review page, Dr. Matt will tell you honestly whether decompression is likely to help you. Or whether you need something else first.
What patients say about our disc-injury care
“I had serious radicular pain down my left leg. Dr. Matt McClean was fast, thorough and professional. He took an X-ray, adjusted me, and scheduled an MRI for later that evening. By Tuesday morning I knew I had a posterolateral disc herniation at L5/S1. So glad I found McClean Chiropractic!”
Johnny K.
“I’ve been dealing with horrible back and leg pain for months. Dr. Matt carefully evaluated all my symptoms, managed to get X-rays with my vertebrae out of place, and referred me to an imaging center that could do a weight-bearing MRI. His concern, understanding, and compassion have been a breath of fresh air while I’ve been in agony.”
Andrew G.
Spinal Decompression. Frequently Asked Questions
Does spinal decompression actually work, or is it marketing?
For the right patient, it works. The mechanism is well-established: controlled distraction creates negative intradiscal pressure, which can reduce herniation size, improve disc hydration, and relieve nerve-root compression. Studies show meaningful pain and function improvement in carefully selected patients with disc herniation and radiculopathy. That said, decompression is oversold in a lot of clinics. It’s not a cure-all. It’s a tool. One we use when imaging and physical exam tell us the patient is a candidate.
How is decompression different from regular chiropractic traction?
How many sessions will I need?
Does insurance cover spinal decompression?
Is decompression safer than surgery?
Can I do decompression if I’ve already had back surgery?
Find out if decompression can help you
Upload your MRI through our Free MRI Review. Dr. Matt McClean, DC FSBT will review your imaging personally and tell you whether decompression, chiropractic, injections, or surgical referral is the right next step.