Welcome to Integra Spinal Decompression Therapy!

This website has been created to help you understand the facts regarding non-surgical spinal decompression so that you might make an informed decision about whether this therapy is right for you. Spinal decompression therapy is a gentle non-surgical treatment performed on a traction-like table. There are a lot of websites and doctors out there claiming their tables are “The Best!” But how can you really know? For you, trying to determine if decompression can help you, who to go to and how much will it cost can be very confusing and certainly frustrating; especially if you are in pain. Finding answers about how to relieve your pain should be straightforward and easily available.

Over 65 million Americans will experience back problems this year. Only the common cold keeps more people out of work. Over $50 billion will be spent on the treatment of back and neck related pain with only temporary relief.

What if you could find an alternative?

If you have chronic or debilitating back or neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, pain in the arm or leg; non-surgical spinal decompression may be right for you. If you’ve tried everything; medication, physical therapy, chiropractic, spinal injections, even surgery and nothing worked again; non-surgical spinal decompression may be right for you.

How did my back or neck get this way?

The spine is composed of twenty four bones called vertebrae with a shock absorber like material in between each one called a disc. At the base of our spine is a triangular shaped set of bones called the sacrum. The discs are composed of tough fibrous material on the outside, are fluid filled inside and provide “cushioning” for our back. When compressive forces in our backs occur i.e. bending and twisting, lifting heavy objects, sitting for long periods of time or some type of injury; it can, over time, degrade and cause the tough outer material to weaken. This weakening can allow the fluid to push out and create a “bulge” or “herniation”. As we age, we naturally lose fluid from our discs. Sometimes a bulging disc can push on a nerve root that exits the spine. A nerve root is a bundle of nerves that branch out and provide sensation, including pain, to our body. If pressure is placed on a nerve root; depending on where the herniation is, it can cause pain down the legs or arms. Often times this is debilitating pain that can lead many people down the road to seek various forms of medical treatment such as medications, spinal injections, physical therapy, even surgery.

How does spinal decompression therapy work?

If you can imagine your disc as a sponge saturated with water; consider what happens if you squeeze the sponge. The same thing can happen to the fluid in our discs. With compressive forces such as lifting heavy objects, sitting at the computer every day, trauma, a sports injury; the fluid in the disc is forced outward. Now imagine what happens if you take the pressure off of the sponge while it is submerged in water; you decompress the sponge. It fills back up and returns to its original shape. Your disc can do the same thing. As pressure is taken off the disc through gentle axial pulling (decompression); it can actually draw fluid back into the disc. This fluid contains nutrients and oxygen that help promote the healing of the tough fibrous outer layer. As this is performed consistently over time, the disc can heal itself and retain the fluid once again.

Is spinal decompression right for me?

Not everyone with back pain is a candidate for spinal decompression therapy. As a Certified Decompression Therapy Practitioner, Dr. Baker has studied very specific assessment protocols that enable her to determine if you have a compression problem; i.e. herniated disc or compressed nerve, or a movement disorder; i.e. improper firing of core stabilizing muscles, or a combination of both. Often times it is a combination that can be missed by practitioners if only one component of the problem is addressed. Dr. Baker will systematically assess your spine to determine if spinal decompression would help or if perhaps another form of therapy is better suited for your case.

Even if you don’t chose our clinic for spinal decompression therapy, please, find out how your doctor determines if you are a candidate for this procedure. This is a big decision, it is a big commitment of time and money and most importantly; it is your body. Make sure you’re getting the best advice and treatment out there.

Spinal Decompression Therapy may help:
Sciatica
Herniated Discs
Degenerative disc disease
Facet Syndrome
Spinal Stenosis
Radicular pain in the arms and legs
Post Surgical Syndrome

Why the Triton DTS?

Why I chose the Triton DTS To be honest, simply the search for a spinal decompression table was confusing and frustrating for me. The process took me well over a year to discern between what works, what doesn’t and whether this really would have any benefit for my patients. I listened to sales pitch after sales pitch with a very skeptical ear. Happily my conclusion was yes, decompression therapy can definitely help my patients. But I also discovered many decompression table companies treating this therapy as a money maker versus a truly amazing treatment that can help many people. Don’t get me wrong, doctors offices are businesses too, we have to make money to keep the doors open, but we don’t have to gouge patients who are desperate to find help. My choices were many, with prices ranging from the cost of a modest house to the cost of an economy car. After a great deal of research and studying, I found there was little difference in outcomes from table to table. In fact the less expensive model I finally chose, the Triton DTS, actually allowed more versatility in treatment methods. In other words, not every patient is exactly the same. You can’t just push a button and deliver the same treatment to a 285 pound linebacker with multi-level herniations as you would a 68 year-old grandmother with arthritis. Some patients should be treated lying on their stomachs, others on their backs. Some need a longer distraction time, some need more frequent distraction. The Triton DTS allows me to program the decompression pattern according to each patient.

That’s what got me excited about the Triton DTS and that’s why I use it to treat my patients. The bonus is; the cost for spinal decompression therapy is often thousands of dollars less for my patients than that of many other doctors. That is truly what I want for my patients; a treatment that finally works and that doesn’t put a financial strain on them or their family.

FAQ

How long does spinal decompression therapy program last?
Most patients will undergo between 15 to 20 sessions over the course of five to six weeks.

How often will I have to come?
Most individuals will undergo treatment five times a week for one week, three times a week for three weeks; two times a week for one to two weeks and the last week is comprised of core stability rehabilitation and instruction on your home exercise program.

How long does each session take?
During the initial phase expect to be here for no more than thirty minutes as you will only be undergoing decompression therapy and physical modalities such as ice, heat or ultrasound if necessary.
During phase II you will continue to utilize the decompression table, but core strength and stability exercises will be introduced to you as well. This will take anywhere from thirty to forty-five minutes per session. The third phase will be primarily core strength and stability exercises with an emphasis on proper form. We want to be sure you know how to exercise your back correctly so that you may continue to heal and stay healthy for a lifetime.

What if I miss an appointment?
Remember; Consistency is the key to this treatment. As you undergo your treatment, it is crucial that you attend every treatment that has been prescribed to you. While we cannot guarantee 100% recovery, we do know that if you miss appointments, it is highly probable your recovery will be delayed. Consider this treatment like you would physical therapy. You must be consistent in order for your body to learn how to heal. This is a big commitment on your part. If you don’t feel you can commit the time to treatment, you may want to consider an alternate form of care.

Does this treatment hurt?
Most patients report feeling a gentle pull at their hips, back or neck. This therapy is comfort-based. Patients often report a sense of relief and relaxation during the session. Many patients even fall asleep!

Does insurance cover spinal decompression?
Insurance does not cover this service but may cover other procedures such as examinations, spinal adjustments and therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation (if prescribed) and rehabilitative exercises.  Patients may pay as they go on each day of service or pay up front if they desire, whichever is most convenient for them.

How much does spinal decompression cost?
Our fee is $35 per session and most patients on average undergo 15-20 sessions over a six week period. That comes out to $525 to $700 for decompression treatment. Compare that to many other decompression offices where charges can run from $3000 to $6000 for their program. That’s also a fraction of what your potential co-pays might be if you underwent a $50,000 to $70,000 back surgery. Additional procedures such as physical rehabilitation, ultrasound, manipulation and soft tissue therapy may be covered by your insurance. If your policy has chiropractic coverage, you are responsible for co-pays and deductibles according to your plan. We will be happy to file your insurance for you.