What is IDD Therapy (Spinal Decompression)?

At Reflex Spinal Health, we provide IDD Therapy, the specialist non-surgical spinal decompression treatment to help people suffering with persistent back pain or neck pain caused by bulging or herniated discs, trapped nerves and related spinal conditions.

For most people, back pain and neck pain improves with chiropractic, physical therapy, osteopathy and corrective exercise. However, when pain persists, IDD Therapy Spinal Decompression offers an advanced, non-invasive solution to target the specific level of the spine where the problem lies.

This safe, computer-directed treatment gently relieves pressure on spinal discs, improves mobility and supports long-term healing.

IDD Therapy provider. Spinal decompression in Reading, Berskshire, RG4 7AA. Spinal Care Clinic Approved Provider.

Suitable Conditions treated with IDD Therapy (Spinal Decompression)

Herniated or Bulging Discs
Nerve pain in the legs or arms
Degenerative Disc Disease
Facet Joint Syndrome
Chronic Back Pain or Neck Pain

If you’ve been diagnosed with a disc problem, or you’re simply worried about ongoing back or neck pain and aren’t sure what to do next, we’re here to assist you.

Already know you’d like to get in touch? You can contact us online or simply call our friendly team and we’ll be happy to talk you through the options available:

Reflex Spinal Health Telephone: 0118 946 2100

Signs and Symptoms of Disc Problems, or Disc-Related Injury

Back or Neck Pain

Dull, aching pain in the lower back, mid-back, or neck
Pain that worsens with movement, sitting, or standing for long periods.
Sharp or stabbing pain with certain movements, like bending, lifting or twisting.

Pain Radiating to the Arms or Legs (Radicular Pain)

A bulging or herniated disc will often press on nerves. This commonly causes sensation change including; burning, shooting, or electric pain that travels down the arms (if damage is in the neck) or legs (if damage is in the lower back).

Numbness and Tingling

Affected nerves can cause numbness (termed parasthesia), tingling, or “pins and needles” into your arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes.

Increased Pain with Certain Movements

Pain can worsen with sneezing, coughing, or straining (common when on the toilet)
Sitting for prolonged periods and sudden movements (commonly forward bending) can also aggravate the symptoms.

Muscular Weakness (Loss of Strength)

May present as difficulty when lifting or walking any distance
Your legs or arms may also feel weak and can give way.

Reduced Mobility & Stiffness

Feeling stiff or restricted in movement, especially in the morning.There may be pain moving from lying to sitting, sitting to standing and standing to walking.
It may also be difficult to bend and even turn your head.

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. It’s usually caused by irritation or compression of the nerve, often from a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

This is a medical emergency characterised by severe low back pain, bilateral leg weakness or numbness, and loss of reflexes. Key red-flag symptoms include saddle anesthesia (numbness in the inner thighs, buttocks, or perineum), bowel or bladder dysfunction (such as urinary retention or incontinence), and sexual dysfunction. This is a medical emergency for hospital assessment and treatment.

How Does IDD Therapy (Spinal Decompression) work?

IDD Therapy gently relieves pressure on targeted spinal discs and progressively restores function with a goal of long term pain resolution. At Reflex Spinal Health, we use the Accu-SPINA system to deliver IDD Therapy, recognised globally as the gold standard in spinal decompression.

How it works:

Patients lie comfortably on the treatment table, which moves from vertical to horizontal.
Using ergonomic harnesses, the affected area of the spine is gently connected to the machine.
Computer-controlled, precisely measured distraction forces are applied to decompress and mobilise the spinal segment.

By decompressing (taking pressure off) an injured or bulging/ herniated disc and gently working the soft tissues, we can ease pain, improve mobility in the spine and allow the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate more efficiently.

The goal is to work stiff ligaments and tight muscles, help the body to retract a disc bulge and to help restore function.

Sessions last around 25–26 minutes, with heat therapy beforehand and cooling afterwards. Patients find the treatment comfortable, so much so that many actually fall asleep.

Clinic Director Andy Green says:

“Certain patients need more than hands-on care and exercise to resolve their pain. That’s why we introduced IDD Therapy, to help patients avoid invasive procedures wherever possible, reduce reliance on pain medication, and return to the activities they love.”

Why choose IDD Therapy?

* Current treatment isn’t giving long-term relief

* You want to reduce or stop painkillers

* You’re looking for a safe alternative to injections or surgery

* You want to get back to normal daily activities

Typical candidates for IDD Therapy are people who have back, neck pain or leg pain and may have tried various other treatments without success.

They may be taking pain medication, might have had an MRI scan and may be considering invasive treatments such as injections or in extreme cases, surgery.

If you have a back pain or neck pain issue, symptoms in the legs or arms, then come and see us for an expert opinion and to see which treatment you are most suitable for.

Call the clinic on 0118 946 2100 to make your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions about IDD Therapy

I have had a spinal injection. Can I still have IDD Therapy?

Yes. We wait for the effects of an injection to settle, and then you can start treatment. We allow two weeks from the injection. Our goal is to avoid the need for injections and surgery.

I have had an MRI scan. What should I do?

If you have an MRI scan, your supervising clinician should give guidance on treatment options. If there is no recommendation for urgent surgery, and conservative treatment is advised, you can bring your MRI report and scan to the clinic.

The MRI scan will confirm the likely source of the problem. Note, whilst the focus may be on the injured disc, we look at improving overall spinal function.

If a patient has had surgery and there are no metal implants in the spine, we would use IDD Therapy six months after the operation to allow time for healing. If we did not feel your condition was suitable for IDD Therapy, we can recommend other treatments or refer you to appropriate clinicians.

Is IDD Therapy treatment painful?

No. The treatment is computer-controlled, and whilst there is a pulling force to unload the disc and mobilise the spinal joints, it is gentle and comfortable. Many patients fall asleep, in fact.

Do I need to get undressed?

No. Patients remain fully clothed throughout.

Are there any age restrictions?

Treatment is suitable for patients over the age of 18. This is when growth plates are fully formed. There is no upper age limit, although we will assess suitability for treatment on an individual basis.

Will I need a course of treatment?

Yes. Patients have a programme of treatment. We divide the programme into stages of adaptation and progression. Spinal issues that have built up over time can leave spinal segments stiff and immobile. Muscles and ligaments which have become weak and inflexible need time to adapt as treatment progresses.

How long is treatment?

You will be in the clinic for up to one hour. Treatment begins with ten minutes of deep penetrating heat to warm tissues. You are on the IDD Therapy machine for twenty-six minutes, and we cool the affected area for ten minutes after treatment.

Will the effects of treatment last?

The treatment programme is designed to put patients on a path of long-term healing. As we progressively restore spinal function, the body’s natural healing mechanisms can operate and maintain the spine, and this is the route to long-term pain relief.

What is the difference between IDD Therapy and traditional traction?

IDD therapy was developed to address the failings of traditional traction to treat targeted spinal segments. Whereas traction delivered a general pulling force to the spine, IDD Therapy can focus distraction, or pulling forces, to a specific level of the spine. Many problems are located at specific levels, and the ability of IDD to focus treatment at the affected level is what separates IDD from traction. It also combines the pulling force with a gentle mobilisation, all part of a process to restore function and allow the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate.

How long has IDD Therapy been used?

IDD Therapy was developed in the early 2000s. It was developed in America and is now offered at a national network of independent clinics in the UK, as well as in countries worldwide. There are more than 2,000 Accu SPINA systems in use globally.

How do I find out if treatment is suitable for me?

If you call the clinic, you can book a call or an in-person discovery call, and from there, we will book you in for the initial consultation, which includes a complete assessment. Here at the clinic, we specialise in unresolved spinal pain and disorders.

If you have any further questions, call us and we will be happy to help you.

Here to help, any questions call 0118 946 2100

Location

We’re in town at 17 Church Road, Reading, RG4 7AA. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the clinic, or we are just a 5-minute walk away from two public car parks.

For more information about IDD Therapy, visit www.iddtherapy.co.uk

What Are Intervertebral Discs?

Intervertebral discs are specialised structures located between the vertebrae of your spine. They act as cushions Spinal Decompression by controlled distraction and mobilisation to take pressure off the intervertebral disc and improve joint mobility. that absorb shock and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of two main components: the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus. The nucleus pulposus is the soft, gel-like centre made of water, collagen, and proteoglycans, which gives the disc its ability to distribute compressive forces evenly. Surrounding it is the annulus fibrosus. This is a tough, fibrous outer ring composed of multiple layers of collagen fibres arranged in a crisscross pattern. This structure provides strength and helps contain the nucleus pulposus under pressure.

Intervertebral discs play a critical role in spinal biomechanics. They maintain the spacing between vertebrae, allowing for smooth movement, including bending, twisting, and compressing. Discs also act as shock absorbers, protecting the spinal cord and nerves from excessive impact. Each disc is anchored to the vertebral bodies above and below by cartilaginous endplates. These also serve as a pathway for nutrients to diffuse into the avascular disc tissue. Because discs lack a direct blood supply, they rely on movement and pressure changes for nutrient exchange, making mobility essential for disc health. Over time, natural ageing, repetitive stress, or injury can affect the disc’s hydration, structure, and function, potentially leading to pain or nerve compression.

Types of Disc Degeneration

Disc degeneration refers to structural changes in the intervertebral discs that may result in pain or neurological symptoms. A disc bulge occurs when the annulus fibrosus weakens, and the disc’s outer wall protrudes outward. This bulge is typically broad-based and can compress nearby nerves if large enough. Disc herniation (aka a slipped disc) is a more advanced condition where part of the nucleus pulposus pushes through a tear or weak spot in the annulus, potentially causing significant nerve irritation or sciatica.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a general term describing the gradual dehydration and breakdown of disc tissue over time. The disc loses height, flexibility, and shock absorption capacity, which can contribute to joint stress and bone spur formation. DDD may not always cause pain, but when symptomatic, it can produce chronic low back or neck pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or activity.

Annular tears are small ruptures in the outer ring of the disc. These can result from repetitive stress, trauma, or ageing. They may be asymptomatic or cause localised pain due to chemical irritation from inflammatory substances leaking from the nucleus pulposus.

Understanding these patterns of degeneration is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning. Conservative care — including exercise, manual therapy, spinal decompression and postural correction — is often the first line of management, while surgery is typically reserved for severe cases involving neurological compromise.