Dwain M. Daniel, D.C.

Note from Dr. Stephen Barrett: Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy uses a motorized traction device to stretch the lower back. The devices are two-part tables in which the upper part is fixed to the table frame and the lower part slides back and forth to provide intermittent traction. The patient is anchored to the lower part by a pelvic harness. They can provide relief in some cases of back pain but are widely promoted with unsubstantiated claims that they can correct degenerated and herniated discs without surgery. When the FDA cleared the first such device (VAX-D) as a traction device, it set limits on what the manufacturer could claim. Individual providers, provider associations, and the manufacturers have exceeded these limits. This article explains why the studies …