Frequently Asked Questions
ABOUT THE TREATMENT
What is non-surgical spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a computer-controlled treatment that gently separates the vertebrae to create negative pressure inside the disc. This negative pressure helps retract herniated or bulging disc material, allows nutrients and oxygen to flow back into the disc, and promotes natural healing — all without surgery, needles, or medication.
Does it hurt?
No. Most patients feel nothing during treatment, and many actually fall asleep on the table. The SpineMED® system uses only 10–15% of your body weight in force — far less than conventional traction — and its computerized biofeedback adjusts every 20 milliseconds to prevent any muscle guarding or discomfort.
How long is each treatment session?
Each decompression session is 30 minutes. Your total appointment time is scheduled for 45 minutes to allow for setup and any additional therapies. Most patients describe the experience as relaxing.
How many treatments will I need?
The standard program consists of a minimum of 25 spinal decompression sessions and 12 Class 4 laser therapy sessions. Treatment frequency is a minimum of 3 times per week, with the option to come daily or even twice daily (with 4+ hours between sessions) for faster completion.
How soon will I feel results?
Every patient is different. Some feel improvement within the first few sessions, while others may take longer. It’s also normal to experience some temporary soreness as the disc begins to reposition. We perform a re-examination after your 13th decompression session to evaluate your progress and make sure we’re trending in the right direction.
Our program is designed for patients with herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and facet syndrome in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spine. During your consultation, Dr. Luka will review your imaging and determine if you’re a candidate.
What conditions does spinal decompression treat?
Is this the same as traction?
No — and this is one of the most important distinctions to understand. Conventional traction uses nylon harnesses and requires 55–75% of your body weight in force, which triggers your muscles to tighten back and can actually increase disc pressure. The SpineMED® uses patented pelvic restraints that deliver force directly to the skeletal structure at only 10–15% of body weight, with a 20-millisecond computerized response time that prevents muscle guarding entirely. Please refer to the “Traction vs. True Decompression” page in your packet for the full comparison.
Does insurance cover spinal decompression?
Unfortunately, most insurance plans do not cover non-surgical spinal decompression because they often classify it under the same billing codes as conventional traction, even though technology and outcomes are fundamentally different. We do offer CareCredit financing with 24-month interest free payment plans which makes the program accessible and affordable. Although this is very frustrating, many patients find that the out-of-pocket cost of our program is a fraction of what they would spend on years of pain management, injections, or the copays and deductibles associated with spinal surgery.
What Sets Spinal Decompression Apart From Traditional Traction?
