Most people with a herniated disc or sciatica have already tried the usual fixes by the time they reach us. Pain pills take the edge off. Stretching helps for a day. As a Draper chiropractor, Dr. Joshua Stockwell at Draper Spinal Care built a treatment protocol around a simple idea: relieve the pressure on the injured disc, then correct the imbalance that loaded it in the first place. That’s the reason we pair non-surgical spinal decompression with NUCCA upper cervical care instead of relying on either one alone.
What is non-surgical spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized, computer-controlled form of traction that gently stretches specific segments of the spine to take pressure off discs and nerves. You lie on a padded table wearing a harness, and the machine applies a slow, cycling pull that relaxes and releases rather than yanking.
At our office we use the DRX9000, which targets individual segments of the lower back. Active treatment typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes per session. It’s most often used for herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica caused by a compressed nerve root.
Does spinal decompression actually work?
The research is still developing, but a few studies are encouraging. A 2022 randomized trial in the International Journal of Clinical Practice followed 60 patients with subacute lumbar disc herniation. The group that received 10 decompression sessions over eight weeks had less leg pain at two months and better disability scores at two and three months than a group given a sham treatment with no force applied.
A retrospective study of 30 patients treated on the DRX9000 over six weeks found average low back pain dropped from 6.2 to 1.6 on a 10-point scale, and measured disc height increased from 7.5 to 8.8 millimeters on CT scans. That study had no control group, so it shows what happened to those patients rather than proving the cause. Decompression works best as part of a broader plan.
What is NUCCA chiropractic?
NUCCA stands for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, and the technique focuses on the atlas, the top bone of the spine where the skull meets the neck. The goal is to reposition the head over the center of the neck so the rest of the spine can return to a balanced posture.
A NUCCA correction involves no twisting, popping, or cracking. Before adjusting, the doctor measures you with a supine leg check, which compares leg length while you lie on your back, and an Anatometer, a device that records hip height, pelvic rotation, body lean, and how your weight is distributed between your legs. Precise x-rays of the upper neck are used to calculate the direction of the correction. You then lie on your side while the doctor applies light pressure just below the ear. Post-adjustment x-rays confirm the result.
Why combine spinal decompression and NUCCA care?
The two treatments address different parts of the same problem. Decompression works directly on the disc and nerve in the lower back. NUCCA care aims at posture and balance, which affect how weight travels down the spine every time you stand, sit, or walk.
Think of a car with worn tires and a bad alignment. New tires help, but if the alignment stays off, they wear out the same way. When the head sits off center, the body compensates, and NUCCA practitioners often see that pattern show up as one hip riding higher or more weight on one leg. That uneven load lands on the lower back. Decompression can relieve an irritated disc, and correcting the imbalance is meant to keep it from being overloaded again once treatment ends.
What does a combined treatment plan at our Draper chiropractor office look like?
Treatment starts with a consultation and exam to confirm the source of your pain. If you’re a good fit for both approaches, your plan pairs NUCCA corrections with a set schedule of decompression sessions over several weeks. Published protocols range from 10 sessions over eight weeks to 20 to 30 sessions over eight to ten weeks, and your plan depends on your condition and how you respond.
NUCCA corrections are checked at each visit, but you’re only adjusted when the measurements show you need it. The goal is for corrections to hold longer over time, so many patients need adjustments less often as they stabilize.
Who shouldn’t have spinal decompression?
Decompression isn’t right for everyone. It’s generally avoided during pregnancy and for people with spinal fractures, severe osteoporosis, spinal tumors, or surgical hardware such as rods or screws in the treated area. Your exam and imaging help rule these out before care begins.
Getting lasting relief from a Draper chiropractor
Spinal decompression takes pressure off the disc, and NUCCA care addresses the imbalance that helped put it under stress. Together they give a herniated disc or sciatica a better chance to heal and stay that way. If you’re ready to find out whether this approach fits your situation, schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Stockwell, your Draper Chiropractor at Draper Spinal Care on State Street.
