Spinal Decompression At Home

This blog post will cover 14 different ways to perform your own spinal decompression at home.

Reducing pressure on structures in the spine (such as the disc, nerve and/or joint) may help alleviate pain in your lower back.

It can be helpful in conditions such as:

• Sciatica
• Disc bulge/herniation
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Tight muscles

Disclaimer: The content presented on this blog post is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. It is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Use of the content provided on this blog post is at your sole risk. For more information: Medical disclaimer.

(Please consult a healthcare professional before attempting any of the exercises suggested in this blog post. If the exercises are too painful, consider starting with simple back stretches for your lower back pain first.)

How to do Spinal decompression at home

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It is important to perform the following exercise after EVERY decompression exercise. This is to help slowly return movement into the spine and reduce aggravations.

Lumbar rolls and Pelvic tilts

Instructions:

• Lie on your back.
• Bend your knees and keep your feet on the floor.
• Perform slow 30 repetitions of each:
  • Rock your knees from side-to-side
  • Tilt your pelvis forwards and backwards

1. Knees to chest

Instructions:

• Lie down on the floor.
• Hug both knees towards your chest.
• Completely relax your legs and allow the arms to take the full weight of the legs.
• Perform gentle oscillations in this position.
• Continue for 30 seconds.
• Note: If you are having difficulty with this exercise, perform the exercise with one leg at a time instead.

2. Child’s pose

Instructions:

• Kneel on the floor.
• Reach as far away as possible and place both palms on the floor in front of you.
• Move your buttocks backwards until they are in contact with the back of your heels.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

3. Camel pose

Instructions:

• Assume the 4 point kneel position.
• Perform a Posterior pelvic tilt:
  • “Tuck your tail bone underneath you”
• Keep your back completely rounded.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

4. Chair flexion

Instructions:

• Sit on the edge of a chair.
• Fold your torso between your legs.
• Relax and “dangle” your torso.
• Aim to feel a stretch in the lower back.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

5. Side decompression

Instructions:

• Whilst standing, lean all the way over to one side.
• Allow your upper leg to lift and dangle.
  • Keep it relaxed!
• Allow gravity to pull your leg down.
• Do not let your pelvis rotate.
• Aim to feel a stretch on the upper side of your waist.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• Repeat on other side.

6. Posture Reset position

Instructions:

• Lie down on the floor.
• Support your legs in the 90/90 position. (see above)
• Use a thin pillow for your neck. (if required)
• Rest your arms in the “T” or “Y” position.
• Aim to have your ENTIRE back completely FLAT on the floor.
• Relax in this position for 15-20 minutes.

7. Manual traction

Instructions:

• Lie down on the floor.
• Have someone to hold both of your ankles and gently pull on both of your legs.
• Keep your legs completely relaxed.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• Note: If you find that your body is sliding on the floor, perform the exercise whilst lying on top of a tiled floor and have the skin on the lower back in contact with the floor. (This will help stick you to the floor!)

8. Decompression over a ball

Instructions:

• Lie on top of a large exercise ball. (Facing downwards)
• Position your body so that your lower back is in line with the top of the ball.
• Completely relax your legs and allow them to dangle.
  • Let the weight of your legs pull on the lower back.
• Support your body using your hands only.
• Allow the toes to gently rest on the floor.
• Aim to feel a stretch in the lower back.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

9. Hanging off edge of arm rest

Instructions:

• Lie over the edge of an arm chair. (Facing downwards)
• Lean forwards to place a majority of your weight through your arms.
• Completely relax your legs and let them dangle.
• Hold for 30 seconds.

10. Chair Hover

Instructions:

• You will need 2 chairs for this exercise. (kitchen bench top will work too)
• Hold onto the top of the chairs. (See above)
• Slowly apply pressure into your hands as to take pressure off your feet.
• Most of your body weight will be going through your arms.
• Keep your legs and lower torso completely relaxed.
• Keep your toes lightly rested on the floor.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• Note: Please make sure that the chairs you use are sturdy and can support your body weight.
• Do not attempt this exercise if you have issues in your upper limb, shoulder or neck.

11. Decompress spine by Hanging

Instructions:

• Hang off a bar above your head height
• Allow your body to completely relax.
• You can keep your feet lightly rested on the floor.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• To increase the stretch: Apply weights to your ankles.
• Note: Do not attempt this exercise if you have issues in your upper limb, shoulder or neck.

12. Towel under Sacrum Stretch

Instructions:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the floor.
• Lift your bottom off the floor and place a block (or rolled up towel) under your sacrum.
  • (Make sure that the block is not directly underneath your lower back!)
• Straighten your legs so that the feet are in contact with the floor.
• You should feel a comfortable pulling sensation in your lower back.
• Hold for 30 seconds.
• Lift your bottom upwards and remove the block from underneath you.

13.  Spinal Decompression Devices

The following devices are designed to help you perform your own spinal decompression at home.

(Please consult your healthcare professional prior to using the following.)

a) Anti-gravity boots

b) Mechanical traction

c) Inversion tables

d) Lumbar belts

Make sure to perform Pelvic tilts and Lumbar Rolls once you have completed decompressing your lower back.

14. Sitting technique (Gokhale Method)

Prolonged sitting can increase the amount of compression in your lower back. Here is a great way to take some pressure off your lower back whilst sitting.

Instructions:

• (You will need a chair with a back rest.)
• Place your bottom right into the back corner of the seat.
• Hinge forwards at the hips.
• Bend your spine forwards by lowering the lower ribs at the front.
• Place your hands on the seat and gently lift your body upwards.
• Lean back and hook your mid back on the back rest.
• Allow your torso to “slide down the chair” whilst keeping your mid back in contact with the back of the chair.
• Make sure that your pelvis and lower back are still in a NEUTRAL position!

… Remember to ELONGATE your spine and sit up right!

(Imagine that your rib cage is floating on top of your pelvis.)

Summary

Performing Spinal Decompression at home can help reduce symptoms in your lower back.

These exercises are designed to work by taking pressure off painful structures such as the nerve, disc and joint.

Consult a healthcare professional prior to starting the exercises to see if they are suitable for you.