Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in St. Marys
Non-surgical spinal decompression in St. Marys gently stretches the spine to relieve herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic neck and back pain — drug-free.
Prairie Star Chiropractic
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in St. Marys
If a herniated disc, sciatica, or chronic back pain has you looking for a non-surgical answer, spinal decompression therapy at our St. Marys clinic may be exactly what you need. Dr. James Durbin uses a decompression table to gently stretch your spine in controlled stretch-and-release cycles — relieving pressure on compressed discs and the nerves around them without drugs, injections, or surgery. It's a comfortable, conservative option for disc-related back and neck pain.
How it works
What to expect with Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
- Step 1
Thorough candidacy exam
Before your first session, Dr. Durbin reviews your history and performs orthopedic and neurological testing to confirm you're a good candidate and rule out contraindications — so decompression is both safe and targeted for your specific disc issue.
- Step 2
A personalized decompression plan
You receive a clear schedule of sessions with settings tailored to your spine — not a generic protocol. We explain exactly what to expect and when we'll reassess your progress.
- Step 3
Decompression + adjustments + home exercises
Each visit combines the traction session with gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore joint motion, plus targeted core exercises to do at home that protect the disc and help keep pain from returning.
Benefits at a glance
Benefits of Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Non-surgical — no incisions, anesthesia, or recovery time
Drug-free relief from disc, nerve, and radiating pain
Comfortable — many people find sessions relaxing
Aims at the root cause by supporting disc height and hydration
Pairs with adjustments and home exercises for lasting results
Safe option after conservative care fails and before surgery is considered
The basics
About Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Your spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock and allowing movement. When a disc bulges, herniates, or loses height from everyday wear, it can press on nearby nerves and produce pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the leg or arm. Traditional pain relief — rest, anti-inflammatories, injections — can quiet symptoms for a while, but they don't restore the disc or take the pressure off the nerve. Spinal decompression is designed to address both at once.
During a decompression session, the table creates a controlled negative pressure inside the disc — essentially a gentle vacuum effect — that coaxes bulging material back toward center and draws oxygen-rich fluid back in to help the disc rehydrate and heal. At the same time, tight muscles and restricted spinal joints get a chance to release. Sessions last about 15–20 minutes, and many people find them deeply relaxing. We pair decompression with chiropractic adjustments and simple core exercises you can do at home to help the results last after your plan ends.
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What is spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a traction therapy that gently stretches the spine in controlled stretch-and-release cycles. As the table gently pulls and releases, negative pressure builds inside the affected disc — drawing bulging or herniated material back toward center and pulling in the oxygen and fluid the disc needs to heal. The result is less pressure on the disc itself and on the nerves running through the surrounding foramen.
Unlike traction that simply pulls at a fixed tension, the cycles are aimed at the problem area to take pressure off the disc and nerve. Sessions last roughly 15–20 minutes, and many people find them deeply relaxing.
Decompression is also different from intersegmental traction, our roller-table therapy that gently mobilizes each spinal segment to ease general stiffness rather than targeting a single disc. Some patients benefit from both.
What to expect
Your first visit begins with a candidacy exam. Dr. Durbin reviews your history, performs orthopedic and neurological testing, and — if you’ve had recent imaging — reviews it to confirm which disc level is involved and whether decompression is the right fit. If on-site X-rays would help rule out a fracture or another structural concern, we can take them right in the office. If you’re a good candidate, your personalized plan is mapped out: the number of sessions and the table settings are tailored to your spine.
During each session you’ll lie comfortably on the decompression table, positioned so the gentle pull is directed at the area being treated. The table then cycles through gentle stretch-and-release intervals, and you can simply relax. After decompression, Dr. Durbin typically adds a chiropractic adjustment to restore joint motion and shows you targeted core or stabilization exercises to do at home that protect the disc and reinforce the work done on the table.
Improvement typically builds gradually over the full course of care as the disc rehydrates and the supporting muscles grow stronger, and we track your progress along the way.
Who it helps
Spinal decompression is especially well suited for patients with:
- Herniated or bulging discs in the lower back or neck
- Sciatica — pain, numbness, or weakness running from the low back into the leg
- Pinched nerves causing arm or leg pain
- Chronic low back pain that hasn’t responded to adjustments alone
- Neck pain with radiating arm symptoms
- Degenerative disc disease causing ongoing stiffness and nerve irritation
- Leg pain or arm pain traced to a compressed spinal nerve
It works best as part of a combined plan — decompression relieves disc pressure, chiropractic adjustments restore joint mechanics, and simple home exercises build the core stability that keeps the disc from re-loading. If your candidacy exam suggests surgery is the better path, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that referral.
Why choose Prairie Star Chiropractic
For people in St. Marys, Rossville, Wamego, Belvue, and Silver Lake, we focus on the source, not just the symptom. Dr. James Durbin combines spinal decompression, gentle chiropractic care, and targeted home exercises into one clear plan — aimed at real relief now and the strength to stay pain-free.
Ready to see if decompression is right for you? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online.
Related conditions
Conditions related to Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
Good to know
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression FAQ
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
Is spinal decompression safe?+
Yes. It is a non-invasive, drug-free therapy. After a thorough exam we confirm you're a good candidate before beginning a plan. We screen out contraindications — including recent fractures, certain surgical hardware, and osteoporosis — so the therapy is always appropriate for you.
What does decompression feel like?+
It's designed to be relaxing — a gentle stretch and release across the low back or neck over about 15–20 minutes. There is no sharp pulling or discomfort. Some people even doze off during the session.
How many sessions will I need?+
Decompression is delivered as a series of sessions over several weeks. The number depends on how long you've had the problem and how your disc responds. After your exam, Dr. Durbin recommends a specific plan and reviews your progress with you along the way.
Do you accept insurance for spinal decompression?+
No. Prairie Star Chiropractic is a cash-pay practice, so we do not bill insurance for spinal decompression or any other service. We go over the cost of your recommended plan before treatment starts, and new patients can begin with our New Patient Special.
Can decompression help a herniated or bulging disc?+
Yes — that's the primary use. The negative pressure created during traction encourages disc material to retract and rehydrate, reducing pressure on the nerves. It is commonly used for lumbar herniation causing sciatica and cervical herniation causing arm pain.
Is decompression the same as traction?+
They're related but not identical. Traditional traction pulls the spine in one direction at a fixed tension. Spinal decompression uses gentle stretch-and-release cycles aimed at the problem area, designed to take pressure off the disc and nerve.
Can decompression help neck pain and arm pain?+
Yes. Cervical decompression uses the same principle applied to the neck — gentle, controlled traction to relieve pressure on cervical discs and the nerves that travel into the arm. It's a common conservative option for cervical herniation, pinched nerves, and arm tingling or numbness.
Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression?+
Patients with recent spinal fractures, spinal fusion hardware in the area being treated, severe osteoporosis, active cancer in the spine, or pregnancy (for low-back decompression) are typically not candidates. Your candidacy exam covers all of these so we only proceed when it's the right choice.
How do I know if my back pain is disc-related?+
Disc pain often radiates into the leg (sciatica) or arm, worsens when sitting or bending forward, and may include numbness or weakness. An orthopedic and neurological exam — and imaging if needed — lets Dr. Durbin confirm the source and tell you whether decompression is the right tool.
What is spinal decompression used for?+
It's used for herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, pinched nerves in the neck and low back, facet syndrome, and chronic neck or back pain that hasn't responded to other conservative care. We're honest about expected outcomes and refer out if surgery is the better path.
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