Herniated Disc & Spinal Decompression Treatment in Novato, CA
Suffering From a Herniated Disc? Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression May Help
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At DeSalvo Chiropractic in Novato, CA, Dr. Douglas DeSalvo helps patients suffering from herniated discs, bulging discs, and related spinal conditions find relief through advanced chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.
Our goal is simple: relieve pressure on damaged spinal discs, restore proper movement in the spine, and help patients recover without invasive surgery whenever possible.
Disc injuries can cause significant pain, nerve irritation, and reduced mobility, but with proper diagnosis and treatment many patients experience meaningful improvement and lasting relief.
A herniated or bulging disc can place pressure on nearby spinal nerves, leading to symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs. These conditions often develop gradually or after an injury, and without proper treatment they can worsen over time.
Common Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
What Can It Feel Like to Have A Herniated Disc?
Herniated and bulging discs can place pressure on nearby spinal nerves, which may cause a variety of symptoms depending on the location and severity of the disc injury. Many patients first notice discomfort in the lower back or neck before nerve-related symptoms begin to develop.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
Lower Back Pain
A herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back) is one of the most common spinal conditions. When the soft inner portion of the disc pushes outward, it can irritate nearby nerves and surrounding tissues.
Common symptoms may include:
• Persistent lower back pain
• Pain that worsens when bending or sitting
• Muscle tightness or spasms
• Pain that spreads into the hips or buttocks
If you experience these symptoms, it is important to have your spine evaluated so the underlying cause can be properly identified.
Sciatica & Nerve Pain
When a herniated disc presses on a spinal nerve, it can cause symptoms that travel away from the spine. One of the most common conditions caused by a herniated disc is sciatica, which affects the sciatic nerve running down the leg.
Symptoms may include:
• Sharp or shooting pain down the leg
• Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
• Weakness in the leg muscles
• Burning or electric-like pain
These nerve-related symptoms often indicate that the disc is placing pressure on the spinal nerve and should be evaluated promptly.
Advanced Non-Surgical Treatment for Herniated Discs
How Does Spinal Decompression Help a Herniated Disc?
At DeSalvo Chiropractic, we use advanced diagnostic evaluation and non-surgical spinal decompression therapy to help patients suffering from herniated and bulging discs.
Spinal decompression is designed to gently relieve pressure within the spine, allowing injured discs to heal and reducing irritation on nearby nerves.
For many patients, this therapy can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support recovery without surgery.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Spinal discs act as cushions between the bones of the spine. When a disc becomes damaged or herniated, the soft inner material can press outward and irritate nearby nerves.
This pressure can cause symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.
Spinal decompression therapy works by gently stretching the spine in a controlled way, which can reduce pressure inside the disc and help promote healing.
Spinal Decompression Therapy May Help:
- Relieve pressure on compressed spinal discs
- Reduce nerve irritation and inflammation
- Improve movement within the spine
- Encourage the flow of nutrients into injured discs
- Support recovery from disc herniation and bulging discs
By carefully relieving pressure on injured discs, spinal decompression therapy helps create an environment where the spine can begin to heal naturally.
Many patients experience gradual relief as pressure on irritated nerves is reduced and the spine regains healthier motion.
Once a herniated disc is properly identified, treatment focuses on relieving pressure on the affected disc while restoring healthy motion in the spine.
Care may include:
- Specific chiropractic adjustments
- Gentle spinal mobilization
- Soft tissue therapy
- Postural and spinal stabilization exercises
- Nervous system focused chiropractic care
The goal is not simply temporary pain relief, but restoring proper spinal function so the disc can recover and the condition does not become chronic.
Many people try to ignore disc pain or hope it will resolve on its own. However, untreated disc injuries can continue to worsen as pressure on spinal nerves increases.
Without proper care, disc problems may lead to:
- Chronic lower back pain
- Persistent nerve irritation or sciatica
- Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
- Degenerative disc changes over time
Early evaluation allows the underlying problem to be addressed before symptoms become long-term.
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment designed to relieve pressure on damaged spinal discs.
This therapy gently stretches the spine in a controlled manner, helping reduce pressure inside the disc and encouraging healing.
Spinal decompression may help patients suffering from:
- Herniated discs
- Bulging discs
- Sciatica
- Degenerative disc disease
- Chronic lower back pain
Many patients choose spinal decompression as a conservative treatment option before considering more invasive procedures.
Find Relief From Herniated Disc Pain
Schedule Your Spinal Evaluation Today
If you are experiencing symptoms such as lower back pain, sciatica, numbness, or nerve pain, it is important to have your spine evaluated by a provider experienced in treating disc injuries.
DeSalvo Chiropractic provides comprehensive herniated disc and spinal decompression evaluations in Novato, CA.
Our goal is to identify the true source of your symptoms and create a treatment plan designed to relieve pressure on the affected spinal discs and nerves.
Early care can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent disc conditions from becoming long-term problems.
Schedule your evaluation online and take the first step toward recovery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: Spinal Decompression Therapy for Chronic Disc Pain
What Causes Low Back Pain?
Low back pain can result from various factors, including injuries and age-related changes. The vertebrae, which are bony structures, protect the spinal cord. Soft discs, situated between each vertebra and surrounded by a ligamentous layer, act as shock absorbers to safeguard both the vertebrae and the spinal cord.
Common issues leading to back pain include herniation and degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Degeneration refers to the gradual deterioration of the discs due to wear and tear, while herniation involves the discs bulging and pressing on nearby nerves, leading to pain or numbness.
How Long Does It Take to See Results from Spinal Decompression Treatment?
Most patients report a decrease in pain after just a few sessions, with notable improvements usually seen by the second week of treatment.
How Long Is the Spinal Decompression Treatment?
Patients typically spend 30 minutes on the Accuspina system along with appropriate manual and physiotherapy modalities. The duration of the treatment program is 10-12 weeks of active care.
Do I Qualify for Spinal Decompression Treatment?
Inclusion Criteria:
– Pain from herniated or bulging lumbar discs lasting over four weeks.
– Recurring pain from a failed back surgery that has persisted for more than six months.
– Ongoing pain from a degenerated disc not improving after four weeks of therapy.
– Age of at least 18 years.
Exclusion Criteria:
– Presence of devices like pedicle screws and rods.
– Pregnancy.
– Prior lumbar fusion performed less than six months ago.
– Metastatic cancer.- Severe osteoporosis.
– Unstable spondylolisthesis.
– Recent compression fractures in the lumbar spine below L-1.
– Pars defect.
– Pathologic aortic aneurysm.
– Pelvic or abdominal cancer.
– Infections in the disc space.
– Severe peripheral neuropathy.
– Hemiplegia, paraplegia, or cognitive impairments.
Are There Any Side Effects from the Treatment?
Most patients do not experience side effects; however, there have been rare instances of mild muscle spasms for a brief period.
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
Decompression is achieved through a specific spinal positioning technique that applies varying degrees of force. The process utilizes a gentle pull created by a logarithmic curve, which helps avoid the typical proprioceptor response, allowing for targeted decompression.
Is Spinal Decompression Safe?
Yes, Spinal Decompression is completely safe and comfortable. The system is equipped with emergency stop switches for both patients and operators, complying with FDA requirements to ensure immediate cessation of treatment if needed.
How Does Spinal Decompression Differ from Standard Traction?
While traction can help with some conditions related to herniated or degenerated discs, it does not address the root cause. Spinal Decompression creates a negative pressure or vacuum within the disc, drawing in herniations and facilitating the flow of blood and nutrients to promote healing and hydration. In contrast, standard traction has minimal effect on intradiscal pressure and may provoke painful muscle spasms that can exacerbate pain.
Can Spinal Decompression Be Used After Spinal Surgery?
In most cases, Spinal Decompression is not contraindicated for patients who have undergone spinal surgery. Many individuals have successfully utilized this treatment following unsuccessful back surgery.
Who Should Not Use Spinal Decompression Therapy?
In general, individuals with recent spinal fractures, surgical fusions, metallic hardware, repaired aneurysms, spinal infections, or moderate to severe osteoporosis are not candidates for this therapy. A patient with a spinal fusion may be cleared if the fusion is determined to be stable based on motion x-ray studies and if the fusion was performed more than 6 months ago.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Spinal Decompression?
Ideal candidates include those advised to have surgery but prefer to avoid it, individuals who have been told there are no other options available, those who did not respond significantly to conservative treatments (like medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic care, or acupuncture), or anyone still experiencing pain who seeks the type of care they desire.
Ready to give spinal decompression Therapy at try?
Experience Lasting Relief from Herniated Discs, and Sciatica With Gentle Spinal Decompression