Spinal Decompression Chiropractic Care in San Diego

It’s a gentle, non-surgical technique that relieves pressure on spinal discs and nerves—often used for herniated discs, sciatica, or chronic back pain.

While chiropractic adjustments involve manual manipulation, spinal decompression uses controlled traction to target disc-related issues over a series of sessions.

Patients with bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or sciatica are often good candidates, pending evaluation by a chiropractor.

Most treatment plans range from 12 to 20 sessions, depending on the severity of the condition and response to therapy.

No, the treatment is generally well-tolerated. Most patients experience gentle stretching and some report feeling immediate relief.

Most patients describe a gentle, rhythmic stretching sensation. Unlike some treatments, it’s designed to be relaxing — many patients even fall asleep during sessions.

Coverage varies by insurance plan. Many insurance providers do not cover spinal decompression as a standalone service

Yes. Spinal decompression is not recommended for patients who are pregnant, have spinal fractures, metal implants or spinal hardware, severe osteoporosis, spinal tumors, or have had recent spinal fusion surgery. Dr. Palmes will evaluate your health history during the initial consultation to confirm you’re a safe candidate

It depends on the type of surgery. Some post-surgical patients are good candidates; others are not. Dr. Palmes will review your surgical history and imaging before recommending treatment

Sessions are typically scheduled 3–5 times per week, especially early in the treatment plan. As your condition improves, the frequency may be reduced. Dr. Palmes will create a personalized schedule based on your progress.

Most patients can return to normal daily activities immediately after a session. Strenuous exercise or heavy lifting may be advised against on treatment days — your provider will give you specific guidance based on your condition.

Many patients notice relief after their very first session, though meaningful and lasting improvement typically develops over the course of several weeks of consistent treatment.

Yes, there is a growing body of clinical research supporting non-surgical spinal decompression for disc-related conditions. Studies have shown significant reductions in pain and disability for patients with herniated and degenerative discs, particularly when combined with other chiropractic care.

While traditional traction applies a static pulling force, modern motorized spinal decompression like the Triton DTS uses computer-controlled, variable distraction forces that cycle between tension and relaxation. This cycling creates the negative pressure needed to draw disc material back in and promote healing — something older traction methods don’t achieve as effectively.

Yes. Dr. Palmes often combines spinal decompression with chiropractic adjustments, deep tissue laser therapy, or shockwave therapy to accelerate healing and address multiple contributing factors simultaneously.

Results can be long-lasting, especially when patients address contributing factors like posture, core strength, and ergonomics. Some patients benefit from periodic maintenance visits to prevent recurrence. Dr. Palmes will discuss a long-term wellness plan tailored to your lifestyle and goals.

Yes. Sciatica is one of the most common conditions treated with spinal decompression therapy. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve — which runs from your lower back down through your legs — becomes compressed, often due to a herniated disc or bone spur. Spinal decompression gently separates the vertebrae, relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve and allowing it to heal. Many sciatica patients experience significant leg pain relief within their first several sessions.

Yes, in many cases. Numbness and tingling are classic signs of nerve compression. When a disc bulges or herniates, it can press against nearby nerves — causing those sensations to radiate into your arms (if it’s a cervical/neck issue) or legs and feet (if it’s a lumbar/lower back issue). By creating negative pressure inside the disc, spinal decompression draws the disc material away from the nerve, which can reduce or eliminate those symptoms over the course of treatment.

Absolutely — herniated discs are one of the primary conditions spinal decompression is designed for. The therapy creates a vacuum-like effect inside the disc, which helps retract the herniated material back toward the center and allows nutrients and hydration to flow back in, promoting natural healing.

A bulging disc extends outward but hasn’t ruptured, while a herniated disc has actually torn and leaked inner material. Both can compress nerves and cause pain, and both respond well to spinal decompression therapy. The same negative pressure mechanism helps reduce the bulge and relieve nerve irritation.

Yes. As discs naturally lose height and hydration over time, they can compress nerves and cause chronic pain. Spinal decompression helps by stretching the spine, creating space between vertebrae, and drawing fluid and nutrients back into the dehydrated discs — slowing the degeneration process and relieving symptoms.

Possibly. Many cases of chronic low back pain are related to disc compression or joint irritation that may not always show clearly on imaging. Dr. Palmes will evaluate your specific condition during your initial exam to determine whether spinal decompression is appropriate for you, even without a formal disc diagnosis.

Yes. Cervical (neck) spinal decompression is specifically designed for nerve compression in the upper spine. If your neck pain, headaches, or shoulder/arm symptoms are caused by a compressed cervical disc or nerve, decompression therapy can target that area directly with the Triton DTS table.

Yes — radiating leg pain, often called radiculopathy, is a hallmark symptom of nerve compression in the lumbar spine. This is closely related to sciatica and responds well to decompression therapy. Patients often report that the shooting, burning, or aching leg pain begins to diminish as pressure is taken off the affected nerve root.

Yes. Posterior facet syndrome involves inflammation and pain in the small joints at the back of the spine. Spinal decompression reduces overall spinal compression, which takes pressure off these joints and can relieve the localized and radiating pain associated with facet syndrome.

In some cases, yes — patients who continue to experience pain after back surgery may still be candidates for spinal decompression, depending on the type of surgery performed. Dr. Palmes will review your surgical history and imaging carefully before recommending treatment to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your situation.

Several studies using MRI imaging have shown measurable increases in disc height and hydration following a course of spinal decompression therapy. While results vary based on the severity of degeneration, many patients with degenerative disc disease experience meaningful pain relief, improved mobility, and better quality of life — even when full structural regeneration isn’t possible.

Patients with degenerative disc disease who undergo spinal decompression often experience a reduction in chronic back or neck pain, less frequent flare-ups, improved ability to sit, stand, and move, and a reduced or eliminated need for pain medication. The goal isn’t to give you the discs you had at age 20 — it’s to get you out of pain, moving well, and living your best life without surgery.

Spinal decompression is designed for patients dealing with disc-related back or neck pain — herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease — who want a structured, non-invasive alternative to surgery rather than indefinite symptom management. It’s a strong fit for working professionals managing chronic pain who need a treatment plan with a clear trajectory, and for active individuals and athletes who want to address the underlying disc issue directly so they can return to training, running, or sport without recurring flare-ups. Each decompression plan is built around your specific condition, with progress tracked toward a defined outcome rather than open-ended weekly visits.