Service · Spinal Decompression · Buford GA
A motorized therapy for confirmed disc herniations, bulges, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease. We require an MRI before starting. About 30% of people we evaluate aren't candidates. We say so on day one.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized table therapy that uses computer-controlled distraction to create negative pressure inside a targeted disc. The negative pressure draws herniated material toward center and pulls hydration into the disc. It's used for herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease.
A typical session runs 20 to 25 minutes. A typical course of care runs 20 to 24 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. We re-evaluate every six visits.
Candidacy
We tell them on the first visit. Pretending you're a candidate when you aren't is how clinics waste your money and your time.
Likely a candidate
Not a candidate
If we say no, we'll tell you why and where we'd refer you. Sometimes the right answer is an orthopedic spine surgeon. Sometimes it's physical therapy. Sometimes it's a different chiropractic approach.
How it works
/01 The setup
You lie face-up on a motorized decompression table. A snug pelvic harness is fitted (or a head harness for cervical). The table connects to a computer that controls force, angle, and timing. Total setup is about three minutes.
/02 The cycle
The table applies a calibrated distractive force on a cycle of stretch and relaxation. The negative intra-discal pressure draws herniated nucleus material back toward center. Cycles last about 60 seconds each. The full session is 20 to 25 minutes. Most patients describe it as a comfortable stretch.
/03 The combination
Decompression on its own restores disc geometry. The reason we pair it with manual therapy and a phased core program is that the disc heals best when surrounding muscles support it. Most cases include 5 to 10 minutes of soft-tissue work and 10 minutes of guided rehab per visit.
What to expect
Disc tissue heals slowly. Anyone promising a fix in three visits hasn't read the imaging. A typical course runs 6 to 8 weeks with re-evaluation at the 6-visit mark.
Initial sessions use lower force settings while we calibrate to your tolerance. Most patients see modest pain reduction and start to notice they can sit longer or sleep through the night. Some patients feel a mild post-session soreness similar to a workout, which usually fades inside 48 hours.
Force settings increase. Symptom reduction tends to accelerate here. We add active rehab: glute activation, hip mobility, and neutral-spine core work. We re-evaluate at visit 6. If we're not seeing the response we expect, we say so and adjust the plan or refer.
Symptoms are usually 70 to 90 percent better at this point in successful cases. We progress core and hip strength training so the disc has support when you return to your normal activity. We discuss a maintenance schedule (most cases need monthly tune-ups for 6 months) and discharge criteria.
Who we see
/01
Office workers with a lumbar disc that's been simmering for two years.
/02
Lifters and CrossFit athletes with a deadlift-related disc injury and sciatica.
/03
Patients who've been told they need surgery and want to try something else first.
/04
Pro and college athletes with cervical radiculopathy who can't risk a fusion.
FAQ
What is non-surgical spinal decompression?
A motorized table-based therapy that uses gentle, controlled distraction to create negative pressure inside a targeted disc. The negative pressure pulls herniated or bulging disc material back toward center and brings hydration and nutrients into the disc. It's used for herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, lumbar and cervical radiculopathy, and degenerative disc disease.
Am I a candidate?
You may be a good candidate if you have a confirmed herniated or bulging disc on MRI, leg or arm pain that follows a nerve pattern, no progressive neurologic deficit, and you've tried other conservative care without enough relief. About 30% of people we evaluate aren't candidates. Common reasons we say no: severe stenosis, advanced osteoporosis, recent fracture, spinal hardware, certain cancer histories, pregnancy, or progressive weakness or bladder/bowel changes that need surgical evaluation first.
Does it hurt?
It shouldn't. The forces are gentle and ramp up gradually. Most patients describe it as a comfortable stretch. If you have pain during a session we stop and re-evaluate. Some patients feel a mild soreness similar to a workout the day after the first few sessions, which usually resolves quickly.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical course is 20 to 24 sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. Some cases respond faster, some need more. We re-evaluate every 6 visits and adjust the plan. We don't pre-sell packages.
How much does it cost without insurance?
We're cash-pay. Specific fees depend on case complexity. Call (770) 614-6551 for an exact quote based on your MRI and history. We accept HSA, FSA, all major credit cards, and cash. Every visit comes with an itemized superbill you can submit for out-of-network reimbursement on your own. Pricing details →
Is this the same as an inversion table?
No. Inversion tables use body weight and gravity, not a calibrated force, and they're not targeted to a specific disc level. Computerized decompression uses programmable cyclic forces dialed in to your spinal level and your tolerance, with the pelvis and lumbar segments isolated to load the targeted disc.
Do I need an MRI to start?
Yes for most cases. We need imaging to confirm the location, type, and severity of disc involvement. If you don't have a recent MRI we can refer you for one before treatment begins. Treating a disc problem without imaging is a guess and we won't do it for decompression cases.
Related
Bring your MRI. We'll look at it with you. We'll tell you whether decompression is the right move, whether we'd refer you elsewhere, or whether you don't actually need any of it. New-patient evaluations are 60 minutes.