Spinal Decompression Therapy

Decompression to Address Herniated Discs

The Chattanooga Triton DTS (Dynamic Traction System) is a type of spinal decompression therapy system commonly used by chiropractors to treat various spinal conditions, such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, facet syndrome, and spinal stenosis. It is designed to provide gentle and controlled traction to the spine, relieving pressure on compressed discs and nerves while promoting healing and pain relief.

Features of The Chattanooga Triton DTS (Dynamic Traction System)

Computerized Traction Control

The Chattanooga Triton DTS features computerized traction control, allowing chiropractors to customize treatment parameters based on each patient's specific condition and treatment goals. The device offers precise control over traction force, angle, and hold/release times, ensuring safe and effective treatment outcomes.

Patient Comfort and Safety

Decompression therapy is designed with patient comfort and safety in mind. The treatment table has padded surfaces and support cushions for proper body positioning and comfort during traction sessions. Additionally, the device has built-in safety features and sensors to monitor traction force and adjust treatment parameters to prevent injury or discomfort.

Mechanical Traction and Decompression

The equipment uses a sophisticated traction system to deliver mechanical traction and decompression to the spine. The device gently stretches and elongates the spine, creating negative pressure within the spinal discs and promoting herniated or bulging disc material retraction. This decompression relieves pressure on pinched nerves, reduces inflammation, and improves circulation to promote healing.

Segmental Traction

Spinal decompression technology allows Dr. Caroline von Fluegge-Chen of Balance Atlanta Family Chiropractic in Buckhead to target specific spine segments for traction therapy. By adjusting the angle and position of the traction system, she can focus treatment on the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (mid-back), or lumbar spine (lower back), providing targeted relief for various spinal conditions.

Passive and Active Modes

The Chattanooga Triton DTS offers both passive and active modes of traction therapy. In passive mode, patients relax and receive traction treatment, allowing the device to stretch and decompress the spine gently. In active mode, patients can engage their core muscles to enhance the effectiveness of traction and promote spinal stability.

Treatment Protocols and Programs

By offering a variety of treatment protocols and programs to address different spinal conditions and patient needs, Dr. Caroline can customize treatment sessions at Balance Atlanta Family Chiropractic based on factors such as patient age, condition severity, and treatment response, ensuring personalized care for each individual.

Enhanced Versatility

The Chattanooga Triton DTS provides advanced intermittent and cyclical traction settings, enhancing its versatility for spinal decompression therapy. This feature allows clinicians to tailor treatment protocols to individual patient needs, whether for acute pain relief or long-term recovery.

Comprehensive Spinal Care

The Chattanooga Triton DTS can be used as a standalone therapy or combined with other chiropractic techniques and modalities to provide comprehensive care for patients with spinal conditions. The doctor may incorporate spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises, soft tissue therapies, and lifestyle recommendations into treatment plans to optimize results and promote long-term spinal health.

Spinal Decompression Therapy may help many conditions:

During a spinal decompression, patients typically experience a gentle, controlled stretching sensation along the spine. This sensation is characterized by a gradual elongation of the spine, designed to alleviate pressure on the intervertebral discs and surrounding structures. Throughout the treatment, patients often report feeling a sense of relaxation and relief as the decompression therapy works to realign and decompress the spinal column gently. While the sensation may vary from individual to individual, it is commonly described as a mild and soothing stretch accompanied by increased mobility and flexibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is spinal decompression therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive, non-drug treatment designed to relieve pressure on
spinal discs in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar). Using a specialized device such as the
Chattanooga Triton®, the spine is gently stretched and relaxed in cycles. This reduces pressure inside
the discs, improves circulation, and promotes healing of bulging or herniated discs. The goal is to
relieve pain, restore function, and support natural disc repair without injections or surgery.

The Chattanooga Triton® system gently separates the vertebrae, creating negative pressure within the
spinal discs. This vacuum effect allows bulging or herniated disc material to retract, relieving pressure
on nearby nerves. It also improves nutrient and oxygen flow to the disc, supporting tissue repair. By
reducing compression in the cervical or lumbar spine, decompression therapy relieves pain, improves
mobility, and helps the spine heal naturally over time.

Spinal decompression is most effective for disc-related problems such as herniated discs, bulging
discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and pinched nerves. It is used in both the cervical (neck) and
lumbar (lower back) spine. Patients with chronic back or neck pain, numbness, tingling, or radiating
pain into the arms or legs may benefit. By addressing the underlying disc compression, spinal
decompression targets the root cause of many spine-related symptoms.

Spinal decompression therapy with the Chattanooga Triton® is FDA-cleared, non-invasive, and
drug-free. Unlike surgery or injections, it does not involve cutting, medication, or downtime. The
treatment is gentle and computer-controlled to ensure safety and comfort. Most patients describe the
therapy as relaxing, with a gentle stretching sensation. Because it supports the body’s natural healing
process, decompression is considered a safe option for many people with disc-related issues.

When a disc herniates, its inner material pushes outward, pressing on nerves and causing pain. Spinal
decompression reduces the pressure inside the disc, allowing the herniated material to retract. This
relieves nerve irritation and reduces inflammation. The Chattanooga Triton® system also improves
circulation to the disc, which helps it heal more effectively. By directly addressing the cause of nerve
compression, decompression therapy provides long-term relief for herniated disc symptoms.

Cervical decompression focuses on discs in the neck that may be bulging or degenerating.
Compression in this area can cause pain, stiffness, headaches, or numbness and tingling in the arms
and hands. The Chattanooga Triton® gently stretches the cervical spine, reducing pressure on discs
and nerves. This often relieves pain, restores mobility, and reduces radiating symptoms, offering a
non-invasive alternative to medications or surgery for neck pain.

Lumbar decompression targets discs in the lower back, where problems like herniation, bulging, or
degeneration often cause sciatica, stiffness, or radiating leg pain. The Chattanooga Triton® system
gently stretches the lumbar spine, relieving pressure and allowing discs to heal. This helps reduce
inflammation, restore mobility, and improve daily comfort. For many patients, decompression offers a
practical, non-drug, non-surgical solution for chronic low back pain.

During treatment, patients lie comfortably on the Chattanooga Triton® decompression table. A harness
is placed around the pelvis or neck, depending on whether lumbar or cervical decompression is
needed. The system then applies gentle, controlled traction in cycles of pulling and relaxing. Each
session lasts about 20–30 minutes. Most patients describe the treatment as comfortable and even
relaxing, with no downtime afterward.

The number of sessions depends on the severity and duration of the condition. Many patients notice
improvement within 6–10 sessions, while a typical program may include 15–30 sessions over several
weeks for lasting results. Consistency is key — each session builds on the last, helping discs heal and
relieving nerve pressure. Spinal decompression is often combined with chiropractic adjustments,
exercises, or other therapies to enhance recovery.

Results vary, but most patients experience reduced pain, improved mobility, and less nerve irritation.
For disc problems, many report relief from radiating symptoms like sciatica or arm numbness as
pressure decreases. Improvements typically occur over a series of treatments, with long-term benefits
possible as the discs rehydrate and heal. Because spinal decompression with the Chattanooga Triton®
is non-invasive and drug-free, patients can return to daily activities with little or no downtime.