At The Spine we use the SpineMED® decompression system — a computer-controlled table manufactured by Universal Pain Technology Canada for lumbar and cervical disc conditions. It forms one part of a physiotherapy plan built around your assessment, not a treatment on its own.
What it is
SpineMED® is a motorised decompression table. It applies controlled, measured distraction to a targeted segment of the spine, easing pressure on the disc and the structures around it. Treatment is non-surgical and drug-free.
The system holds FDA 510(k) clearance for both lumbar and cervical decompression, and is produced by an ISO 13485 and CE certified manufacturer.
How it works
You lie fully clothed on the table. A pelvic restraint secures your hips directly to the table surface, and the system applies a precise, gradually cycling distraction force to the segment your physiotherapist has targeted.
Because the pelvis is secured directly to the table, the manufacturer states that SpineMED® reaches therapeutic tension at roughly 60% of the force typically required on conventional traction tables — less load through the body for the same effect at the disc.
The system samples applied tension every 2.5 milliseconds and adjusts every 20 milliseconds, holding the force on target through the session rather than letting it drift.
Why the precision matters
- Repeatable between sessions — your third session applies what your first one did.
- Wide patient range — the table is specified for roughly 32 to 227 kg.
- Automated session reporting — your physiotherapist tracks progress against a record, not memory.
Who it is for — and who it is not
Your physiotherapist decides whether decompression suits you, after assessment. It is generally considered for people with disc-related lumbar or cervical symptoms that have not responded to conservative care.
It is not suitable for everyone. Decompression is generally avoided in pregnancy, spinal fracture, advanced osteoporosis, spinal tumours, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and certain post-surgical spines. Assessment comes first, always.
What to expect
Decompression is delivered as a course of sessions rather than a single visit; published protocols commonly run to around 20. Your plan, session count and device settings are set by your physiotherapist after assessment, and reviewed as you progress.
What the research says
Research into non-surgical spinal decompression is growing and increasingly favourable. A 2025 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Neurology found mechanical decompression outperformed conventional physiotherapy for lumbar disc herniation, and a 2025 clinical study reported measurable MRI changes in 77% of patients after 20 sessions.
The evidence is not unanimous, and outcomes vary between individuals. We will tell you honestly whether we think this is the right option for you.