When booking an appointment with your chiropractor, it can be difficult to know what to ask for. It’s important to know the difference so that you can choose the option that’s best for you and your symptoms.
Key differences at a glance
| Adjustment | Decompression | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A quick, controlled push to a stiff joint | A slow, motorized stretch of the spine on a table |
| How it feels | A brief thrust, sometimes with a pop | A gentle, rhythmic pull while you lie still |
| Time on the table | A few minutes | Typically 15–30 minutes |
| Often used for | Stiff joints, neck and low back pain, some headaches | Disc-related pain and pinched nerves, such as sciatica |
| Typical course | Varies — your plan is set after the exam | A series of sessions over several weeks |
| Not a fit for | Some bone and blood-vessel conditions — tell us your history | Pregnancy, spinal implants, fractures or tumors |
Chiropractic adjustment
A chiropractic adjustment involves an application of controlled force to a joint in the spine in order to improve the motion of the spine and the overall physical function. During this procedure, a trained chiropractor will position you so they can work on the affected area.
With their hands, they will apply a quick and controlled force, pushing the joint out of its usual range of motion. Some patients hear a pop or crack at this point in the session. Research suggests these sessions may help some people with lower back pain and neck pain, and possibly some types of headaches, without undergoing costly and complicated medical procedures or being tied to regular medication.
When is it a good time to go in for a chiropractic adjustment? Those suffering from chronic low back pain or neck pain, or regular headaches that a doctor has already checked, may find relief with a chiropractic adjustment.
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Spinal decompression
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment to ease pain or irritation. This treatment is used for pain linked to compressed discs and pinched nerves in the spine. Spinal decompression involves gently making space between the vertebrae, which is thought to ease pressure on the discs and nerves and may help with back and leg pain.
Your chiropractor will work you through a slow stretch and release of the spine. The theory is that a series of decompression sessions creates a gentle vacuum effect within the discs that may help draw fluid back in and ease pressure on pinched nerves, although research on how well this works is mixed.
What causes spinal compression? An injury to the back, a life of poor posture, or other health conditions can lead to damage in the discs, making them less able to cushion the spine, which can lead to pain.
Choosing the best option for you
Spinal decompression therapy may be the better choice for certain patients. Those who have tried chiropractic care before, or undergone physical therapy for a long-lasting pain, had an epidural in the past, or had surgery or surgeries on their back without success. If an MRI shows herniated discs that are leading to nerve pressure, spinal decompression may be recommended by your chiropractor. Sciatica sufferers, or those with spinal stenosis, may benefit from this treatment. It is generally considered a low-risk option for many adults, but it is not an option for those currently pregnant or for those with metal implants in their spines.
A chiropractic adjustment can be better for those newer to chiropractic therapy and can address a broad variety of complaints. Muscle, nerve, and joint pain may be eased with this type of therapy. People with certain health conditions, such as a higher risk of stroke, should talk to their doctor before receiving an adjustment.
When deciding on the best benefits of chiropractic adjustment vs. spinal decompression, it’s best to go in knowing the basic outline of the procedures and the differences. The simplest way to find out which one fits your back is an exam: we check how your spine moves, test the nerves and talk through both options before recommending either. You can request a visit at the clinic nearest you, or simply walk in.
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This article is for general education and isn't a substitute for an exam. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, seek medical care.
