Spinal Decompression for Athletes. Maximize Performance and Prevent Injuries

May 13th, 2025 by Peter Schmaus, MD

For both high-performing and recreational athletes, optimal performance and injury prevention are vital to staying at the top of your game. Spinal decompression therapy has become an effective approach for many in their quest to remain competitive and active. Spinal decompression is part of a broader rehabilitation strategy and not a performance-enhancing therapy in itself.

What is Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression is a specialized treatment that involves gently stretching the spine to relieve pressure on the spinal discs. By alleviating pressure on nerves and enhancing blood flow, spinal decompression is one way to facilitate the healing process and improve overall spine health. This can be achieved through mechanical traction devices or manual therapy techniques, depending on the treatment setting.

How does Spinal Decompression help Athletes?

Athletes often suffer from a number of spinal conditions or injuries, including herniated discs s and sprains. Spinal decompression may help alleviate spinal pressure and draw the vertebrae and discs back into their proper alignment. Mechanically repositioning discs is a debated claim— this may reduce disc pressure and alleviate nerve irritation in some cases.

There are many proven benefits, which can include:

Pain relief
Enhanced performance
Faster recovery

Results may vary depending on the condition being treated and patient adherence to therapy.

What are the Types of Spinal Decompression Treatment? Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Spinal Decompression Treatments

There are both non-surgical and surgical types of treatments. For example, physical therapy and nerve stimulation are two non-surgical options. Non-surgical decompression may include physical therapy, traction-based therapy, or modalities like electrical stimulation.

However, your physician may recommend spinal decompression surgery if other therapies have not significantly helped or if you are having sensory loss or weakness due to nerve compression. In this case, your surgical options may include procedures such as a laminotomy or laminectomy, where a surgeon removes a piece of the bone surrounding the spinal canal. Removing these pieces of bone will help open your spinal canal and relieve pressure. These procedures are typically indicated when imaging shows significant nerve root or spinal cord compression that correlates with clinical symptoms.

Other surgical procedures may include a corpectomy, discectomy or foraminotomy. A discectomy removes part or all of a damaged disc that is compressing nearby nerves.

Is it good to decompress your spine? What are the Benefits and Risks of Spinal Decompression?

It is always best to discuss your individual situation with your physician. Using a stepped approach to treating back pain allows your physician to determine the treatment option that is best for your individual condition, with the least possible risk. The correct treatment, whether non-surgical or surgical, can help return you to the quality of life you are seeking. Risks of surgical decompression may include bleeding, infection, nerve injury, or spinal instability depending on the procedure.

Is Spinal Decompression right for me? Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression? Who should not have spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is proven to be a valuable tool in helping athletes perform their best. The treatment’s ability to relieve pain, enhance performance, and expedite recovery makes it an attractive option for many. However, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to patient care and recovery, and it is best to contact your physician to discuss care and treatment options. It is particularly useful for athletes with conditions such as lumbar disc herniation or mild spinal stenosis.

Those who are pregnant, have fractures, tumors or spinal implants, are not good candidates for undergoing spinal decompression. Always talk to a healthcare professional before beginning spinal decompression. Contraindications to mechanical spinal decompression include osteoporosis, recent spinal surgery, spinal hardware, or malignancy.

Spinal Decompression Treatment in New Jersey

Making the decision to seek spinal decompression treatment is an important one. The experienced and innovative physicians at New Jersey Brain and Spine have helped patients for more than 25 years. We have treated more than 40,000 patients with complex spine and neurological conditions. Our team includes spine surgeons, physiatrists, and physical therapists who collaborate on tailored treatment plans.

Please contact us to discuss your treatment options, or to seek a second opinion on your medical diagnosis. Call us today to schedule a consultation or get a second opinion from our board-certified spine specialists.

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