Spinal Decompression Therapy

If you are reading this, then you may be suffering from a herniated disc, bulging disc, annular tear, disc degeneration, leg pain, sciatica or spondylolisthesis here in Marin. We are here to help you.

Our office is well known in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area for treating a variety of spine related problems with our Spinal Decompression Therapy program. Think of spinal decompression as more of an event than just pressing start on our computer driven spinal unloading device. What we have learned in 20+ years is that you have to make sure you pick the right protocol for a particular condition. In other words, one size does not fit all. We have to evaluate and assess you to make sure what movement pattern creates the pain or intolerance. We also need to figure out you have a spinal stability problem in addition to what was found on on XRays or MRIs. In some cases, we don't put people on the Decompression Table and some people still get better.

We determine what the movement intolerance is and then we begin by releasing and activating muscles up the chain from the feet or hands to the spine. This is the missing link for many people. We try to find the cause or why your lumbar or cervical spine is taking on abnormal loads and causing compression. We also check your midback for stiffness and mobility. We then do specific pain relieving modalities like Shockwave, PEMF, E Stim and Class IV Laser to help ease the symptoms. We then do a full body myofascial release protocol to help mobilize and release wastes, improve blood flow and increase motion. If you are a candidate, then we put you on the table. We also give you some exercises and homework to help with hip, shoulder, neck and lumbar spine stability. 

How Does The Table Work?

We position you on the table in a way that is comfortable and also matches the area we are trying to target. We harness you in and set up the computer generated algorithms that are designed to gently unload your spine over 15-20 minutes with very specific movements. This unloading and pumping action is theorized to help nourish the discs and joints but it also can relax some of the surrounding spinal muscles.

How many Visits Do I Need?

We recommend anywhere from 6-20 visits depending on the situation and how you respond. We usually recommend 2 times a week until you start to improve before we decrease the frequency. Again, everyone is different so there is not real set frequency.