When spinal joints become stiff or restricted, it can lead to discomfort, muscle tightness, and long-term limitations in mobility.
Intersegmental traction therapy offers a passive yet effective way to promote better spinal motion and overall back health. Through rhythmic movement applied via a specialized table, this method gently mobilizes the vertebrae to support alignment and relaxation. For individuals seeking non-invasive treatment options to manage stiffness, pain, or posture issues, intersegmental traction is a therapeutic tool worth understanding.
At Bomberg Chiropractic, the use of intersegmental traction tables supports our patients’ wellness journeys by helping maintain proper spinal function without surgery or medication. This blog explores how intersegmental traction works and why it’s become an essential part of modern chiropractic care.
We’ll cover a series of key topics to help readers make informed decisions: 1. Understanding intersegmental traction therapy, 2. Benefits of intersegmental traction for spinal mobility, 3. What to expect during a traction table session, 4. Combining traction therapy with other chiropractic treatments, and 5. Patient feedback: Experiences with intersegmental traction.
Each section provides a deeper look at this valuable therapy and why it’s gaining traction—pun intended—among patients and professionals alike.
Learn more about the intersegmental traction table and how Bomberg Chiropractic in Plymouth, MN is helping people experience lasting relief and improved mobility.
What Is Intersegmental Traction Therapy & How Does It Work?
Intersegmental traction therapy is a passive modality used in chiropractic care to enhance spinal motion and flexibility. It involves the use of a specialized traction table that features rolling mechanisms, which rhythmically lift and mobilize the spine’s individual segments.
As the rollers move up and down the spine, they gently stretch the paraspinal muscles and ligaments, which can help restore motion between the vertebrae and improve spinal alignment. This mechanical therapy is non-invasive and is often used to complement hands-on adjustments and other soft tissue treatments.
The primary goal of intersegmental traction is to reduce muscular tension, enhance blood flow to the spinal discs, and maintain healthy intervertebral spacing. When the spine is not moving correctly at each segmental level—often due to injury, posture, or degeneration—muscle guarding can develop and reduce nutrient flow to discs and soft tissues. Intersegmental traction addresses these issues by using calibrated, repetitive movement to stimulate proprioceptive nerves and increase circulation, which in turn promotes healing and flexibility.
Bomberg Chiropractic utilizes advanced traction tables to support spinal health and mobility. These treatments are typically applied before or after chiropractic adjustments to prepare the spine and improve overall outcomes. Patients benefit from both the mechanical effects and the relaxation response, making the intersegmental traction table a valuable tool in comprehensive chiropractic care.
Key Benefits of Intersegmental Traction for Spinal Mobility
One of the most recognized advantages of intersegmental traction therapy is its ability to improve segmental motion in the spine.
By rhythmically mobilizing individual vertebrae, the therapy helps to reduce stiffness and restore healthy movement patterns. This is particularly important for patients recovering from injury or dealing with chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or disc degeneration, where mobility becomes compromised. Over time, these segmental mobilizations can enhance range of motion, reduce nerve impingement, and facilitate more effective chiropractic adjustments.
Another benefit lies in the therapy’s role in muscle relaxation and postural correction. Tight, guarded muscles around the spine can limit movement and exacerbate pain. Intersegmental traction gently stretches these soft tissues, allowing the musculature to relax and the spinal joints to align more easily.
Improved posture and muscle tone often follow, supporting the spine’s natural curvature and reducing strain on connective structures. This therapy is particularly helpful for individuals who spend long hours seated or have poor ergonomic habits that lead to restricted spinal motion.
Regular incorporation of traction therapy can also aid in preventing future mobility issues. By stimulating circulation and maintaining movement in the spinal joints, patients often report increased flexibility and fewer flare-ups of back pain. These benefits are most effective when integrated into a full care plan that may include manual adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, and other chiropractic services tailored to individual needs.
What Patients Can Expect During an Intersegmental Traction Table Session
A session on the intersegmental traction table is designed to be both therapeutic and relaxing. Patients remain fully clothed and lie face-up on a motorized table, typically for 10–15 minutes. The table’s rollers begin at the lower spine and move slowly toward the upper back, following a preset cycle.
These rollers elevate and gently stretch each spinal segment, providing a consistent and comfortable traction force. The intensity of movement can be adjusted based on patient tolerance and therapeutic goals.
Throughout the session, most patients experience a mild stretching sensation in the back muscles and spinal joints. Many report feeling a soothing wave-like motion as the rollers pass along the spine, often leading to a sense of calm and relief. There is no pain involved—on the contrary, it’s common for individuals to look forward to these sessions because of the reduction in muscle tension and increase in flexibility afterward. Patients often describe the treatment as feeling similar to a deep-tissue massage without manual pressure.
Prior to the first session, a chiropractor will evaluate spinal health and determine if traction therapy is appropriate based on the patient’s diagnosis and care plan. Patients with certain conditions, such as spinal fractures or advanced osteoporosis, may require modified techniques.
At Bomberg Chiropractic, traction table therapy is customized to complement each patient’s treatment goals while maintaining comfort and safety throughout the process.
Enhancing Results: Combining Intersegmental Traction With Other Chiropractic Therapies
Intersegmental traction is frequently combined with other chiropractic interventions to enhance treatment efficacy and support long-term spinal health. Because it passively mobilizes the spinal joints, this therapy is ideal for preparing the body for chiropractic adjustments.
By relaxing tight muscles and stimulating movement in restricted areas, the spine becomes more receptive to manual or instrument-based realignment techniques. This leads to smoother, more precise adjustments and greater comfort for the patient.
Post-adjustment, traction therapy can also assist in reinforcing proper spinal alignment. The consistent mobilization helps maintain the gains achieved during the adjustment by supporting joint function and reducing post-treatment stiffness. Additionally, it can help mitigate delayed muscle soreness that sometimes follows manual therapy by promoting lymphatic drainage and circulation. Traction also pairs well with myofascial release, kinesio taping, and therapeutic exercises, forming a holistic strategy for addressing pain, improving posture, and preventing recurrence.
At Bomberg Chiropractic, customized treatment plans are developed for each patient, with intersegmental traction being one of several tools used to maximize recovery and function. Chiropractors assess how best to layer traction with other therapies, ensuring that the overall plan aligns with each patient’s condition, progress, and mobility goals. This multimodal approach allows for dynamic adjustments in care and helps achieve more durable results over time.
Real Experiences: What Patients Say About Intersegmental Traction Therapy
Patient feedback consistently highlights the comfort and effectiveness of intersegmental traction therapy. Many individuals who initially sought treatment for chronic back stiffness or mobility limitations report noticeable improvements in their ability to move freely and manage discomfort. Patients often note that the traction sessions not only reduce their pain but also contribute to a broader sense of relaxation and wellness.
Those receiving the therapy as part of a comprehensive chiropractic plan tend to experience enhanced results in combination with adjustments and soft tissue work.
Positive experiences also reflect the accessibility and consistency of treatment. Because traction therapy is non-invasive and painless, patients of all ages—ranging from young professionals to active seniors—find it easy to integrate into their weekly or monthly care plans. Several patients have shared that they feel looser and more flexible immediately following each session, with a cumulative improvement in posture and joint mobility over time. The therapy is especially appreciated by individuals with sedentary lifestyles or jobs that involve prolonged sitting, who often feel noticeable relief from lower back stiffness.
At Bomberg Chiropractic, patient-centered care means listening to these firsthand experiences and adapting treatment accordingly. As feedback continues to shape best practices, intersegmental traction remains a valued part of our clinic’s evidence-based approach to spinal health and recovery.
How Bomberg Chiropractic Supports Spinal Health Through Advanced Traction Therapy
Maintaining spinal health is critical to overall wellness, and Bomberg Chiropractic offers a multifaceted approach to care that includes the therapeutic use of intersegmental traction tables. Whether patients seek relief from stiffness, enhanced spinal mobility, or complementary treatment following adjustments, traction therapy plays a pivotal role in supporting those goals. By combining targeted spinal mobilization with personalized chiropractic treatment plans, Bomberg Chiropractic helps patients restore movement, reduce discomfort, and prevent long-term musculoskeletal issues.
Located at 35th Ave. N #101 Plymouth, MN 55447, Bomberg Chiropractic is committed to providing non-invasive and patient-friendly solutions. Our local clinic’s services integrate evidence-based chiropractic care, including traction therapy, to offer comprehensive care for a wide range of spinal concerns. Patients benefit from individualized attention, consistent care protocols, and therapeutic technologies designed to improve mobility and quality of life.
If you’re curious about how traction therapy can support your spinal health, or if you’re seeking relief from chronic discomfort or limited range of motion, Bomberg Chiropractic is ready to help. Reach out to learn more about how our integrative services—including adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and intersegmental traction—can be tailored to your specific needs. Call 763.450.1755 or schedule an appointment to begin your path to better mobility and comfort with a trusted provider of chiropractic care in Plymouth, MN.