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Spinal Decompression Specialist

United Chiropractic and Medical

Chiropractic Clinics & Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeons located in Katy, TX

The spongy discs between your vertebrae cushion and support your spine, but if they’re damaged, they can cause considerable back and neck pain. Bill Sheppard, DC, and his team at United Chiropractic and Medical in Katy, Texas, use the advanced DRX9000® spinal decompression system to ease bulging and herniated discs back into place without damaging your spine. To find out if spinal decompression could relieve your back or neck pain, call United Chiropractic and Medical today or book an appointment online.

Spinal Decompression Q & A

What conditions does spinal decompression treat?

Spinal decompression is a gentle and effective way of relieving pressure on the nerves and other structures in your spine and helping to realign the discs. United Chiropractic and Medical uses the state-of-the-art DRX9000 spinal decompression system.

The intervertebral discs between the bones that form your spinal column are soft and spongy, so they absorb shock. They also help stabilize your spine. 

If you suffer an injury to your back that results in a disc bulging or herniating (where the inner core pushes through a hole in the outer shell), it can cause nerve compression and back or neck pain.

Spinal decompression helps your discs heal by stretching your vertebrae just enough to allow the damaged discs to move back into place. Decompression can address any spinal problems where a disc is pressing on the nerves, including common conditions like sciatica.

Is spinal decompression safe?

Spinal decompression is safe, providing you receive your treatment from experts like the team at United Chiropractic and Medical. The spinal adjustments are minimal and carefully controlled to ensure there’s no trauma to your spine. 

However, decompression isn’t suitable for everyone, including patients with:

  • Fractured vertebrae
  • Fused vertebrae following surgery
  • Artificial discs or implants
  • Chronic post-surgical pain
  • Osteoporosis
  • Degenerative spinal disease

Pregnant women should also avoid spinal decompression. If your United Chiropractic and Medical provider doesn’t recommend spinal decompression, they can offer safe and effective alternatives.

What happens when I undergo spinal decompression?

For your spinal decompression therapy, you lie down on the DRX9000 motorized table, which has two halves. One half, where your upper body lies, stays still, while the other half moves back and forth.

Your provider puts a harness around your hips to keep the bottom of your body securely connected to the table. As the table starts to move, the motion gently pulls on your vertebrae, stretching your spine and allowing protruding disc tissues to slip back into position.

Spinal decompression shouldn’t be painful, but you’re aware of the stretching in your back. Your session lasts around 30-45 minutes, and most people require repeated sessions over a period of 4-6 weeks. 

You need to follow your provider’s advice on helping the discs heal to ensure they stay in place.

To find out if spinal decompression could relieve your spinal pain, call United Chiropractic and Medical or book an appointment online today.