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Traction / Spinal Decompression

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sometimes you need a little pull to get you going

At Leading Edge Physiotherapy, we offer advanced Spinal Decompression Therapy across all our clinics in Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Calgary, and Kelowna. Whether you’re dealing with disc pain, nerve compression, or spinal stiffness, our traction-based treatments are designed to help you move better and feel better—without surgery.

What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment that uses gentle, controlled traction forces to relieve pressure on spinal discs and nerves. We use the Chattanooga Triton DTS Spinal Decompression System, a state-of-the-art table and computer module that:

  • Creates decompression (unloading) of the spine
  • Improves blood flow to injured discs and soft tissue
  • Relaxes spinal joints, capsules, and muscles
  • Enhances healing and reduces pain

This therapy is especially effective for the neck (cervical spine) and lower back (lumbar spine).

Who Can Benefit from Spinal Decompression?

Spinal decompression may be right for you if you’re dealing with:

  • Bulging or protruding discs
  • Herniated or ruptured discs
  • Cervical or lumbar spinal stenosis (central or lateral canal)
  • Sciatica or radiating leg pain
  • Cervical and lumbar osteoarthritis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Facet joint syndrome
  • Scoliosis
  • Post-surgical spinal pain
  • Pinched nerves
  • Compression fractures

If you’ve tried other treatments and still feel stuck, traction might be the gentle nudge your spine needs.

Why Choose Leading Edge for Spinal Decompression?

  • Advanced equipment: Chattanooga Triton DTS system
  • Experienced therapists trained in traction protocols
  • Integrated care plans combining manual therapy, exercise, and decompression. Decompression is just one part of your treatment.
  • locations across Alberta and BC for easy access
  • Personalized treatment based on your unique spinal condition

Available at All Leading Edge Locations

Spinal decompression is offered at:

  • Windermere (Edmonton)
  • Capilano Rehabilitation Centre (Edmonton)
  • Royal Glenora (Edmonton)
  • Old Strathcona (Edmonton)
  • Heritage Valley (Edmonton)
  • St. Albert
  • Sherwood Park
  • Spruce Grove
  • Leduc
  • Tower Sports Medicine (Calgary)
  • University District (Calgary)
  • Kelowna Landmark 7 (British Columbia)

No matter where you are, our team is ready to help you decompress—literally.

Ready to take the pressure off? Book your spinal decompression assessment at your nearest Leading Edge Physiotherapy clinic and let us help you get back to life—one gentle pull at a time.

You're already stretching, might as well stretch a little more

During a treatment session, patients will lay on our specially designed traction table.

Lumbar traction:

Patients are fully clothed during the procedure. The patient will be laying either on their back or stomach depending on the treatment plan that the therapist has determined will best manage your condition. A harness is placed around the hips and is then attached to a mechanical device. This device will digitally apply a varying amount of force, as set by your therapist. When the device is applying the decompression force, the bed will separate. The upper body remains in a fixed position, while the lower half of the body will be able to slide back and forth allowing for traction and relaxation.

Cervical traction:

As with lumbar traction a patient will remain fully clothed or in a gown. In this instance, a patient will lay on his or her back and their head will be placed into a comfortable device that secures the head just below the ears. The traction device will digitally apply a varying amount of force, as set by your therapist.

 

In nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy, the spine is stretched and relaxed intermittently in a controlled manner. The result is believed to:

  • Create a negative intradiscal pressure to promote retraction or repositioning of the herniated or bulging disc material.
  • Create a lower pressure in the disc that will cause an influx of healing nutrients and other substances into the disc. This can foster a better healing environment.
  • Stimulate mechanoreceptors, nerves that sense motion, in order to inhibit pain nerve stimulus to the brain. This can promote inhibition of muscle spasm and reduce pain.

Essentially, the effect would be like taking one’s foot off of a tube of toothpaste and allowing the vacuum phenomena to bring the toothpaste back into the tube.

As your injury will be assessed by a registered physical therapist and as the Spinal Decompression is performed by a physical therapist at our facility, the procedure is considered physical therapy and should therefore be covered by third party physical therapy insurance coverage.

 

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