A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant in an embodiment comprises a device positioned between spinous processes which provides a spinal extension stop and a spinal column flexion non-inhibitor thereby allowing freedom of spinal flexion. In an embodiment a distraction wedge can be used to distract the spinous processes. Methods for the preparation and implantation of a spine distraction device involve in an embodiment of the invention accessing the spinous processes, distracting and implanting the spinal distraction device between the spinous processes using a lateral insertion approach.