Most of the questions we hear fall into five areas: treatment, candidacy, first visit, insurance, and scheduling. They're all answered below.
New here and want the practical version first? The new patient page walks through what a first visit looks like, what to bring, how long it takes, and what happens after the evaluation.
What to Expect as a New PatientSpinal decompression therapy uses a motorized, computer-regulated traction table to gently stretch the spine in a cyclic pattern. That pattern creates brief periods of negative pressure inside the disc, which may allow a herniated or bulging disc to retract and may promote the flow of nutrients and oxygen the disc needs to heal. Sessions run 30 to 45 minutes. You remain fully clothed throughout.
They share the concept of pulling the spine, but they're different in application. Traditional traction is a static, constant pull. Computerized decompression uses a cycling pattern with alternating distraction and relaxation phases, engineered specifically to produce negative intradiscal pressure. That distinction matters clinically.
Most patients complete 20 to 30 sessions over several weeks. We'll give you a specific recommendation after your evaluation. The number depends on your diagnosis, severity, and how you respond to early sessions.
Most patients describe it as a gentle stretching sensation. Some find it relaxing enough to fall asleep. A small number experience mild muscle soreness after the first few sessions, similar to post-exercise soreness. True pain during a session is uncommon. If it occurs, we adjust the protocol immediately.
Yes, if non-surgical options haven't been fully explored. Surgery is necessary in some cases, spinal cord compression, progressive neurological deficits, and certain structural problems. But many patients are told surgery is their only option before decompression therapy has been tried. A consultation lets us give you an honest clinical opinion about whether decompression is worth attempting first.
It depends on the surgery. Spinal fusion is generally a contraindication. Patients who have had a discectomy or microdiscectomy may still qualify, depending on timing and current condition. Your evaluation will give you a clear answer.
Existing imaging is helpful and we encourage you to bring it. An MRI is not always required to begin, but it does help us confirm the diagnosis and design the most appropriate protocol. If you haven't had imaging, we'll let you know after the consultation whether we need it before proceeding.
Class IV laser therapy uses focused light energy at specific wavelengths to penetrate tissue. Inside your cells, this light energy stimulates the mitochondria to produce more cellular energy. That increase supports tissue repair, reduces inflammation, and may calm nerve irritation. The process is called photobiomodulation.
No. The sensation is mild, comfortable warmth. The handpiece is kept in motion over the treatment area so heat doesn't accumulate. Both you and the doctor wear protective eyewear during the session. If anything feels wrong, your doctor stops immediately.
Output power. Class III lasers output 500 milliwatts or less. Class IV lasers output more, often 1 to 15 watts or higher. The higher power allows deeper tissue penetration and a larger energy dose per session, which matters for reaching the deeper structures involved in back and spine conditions.
Yes, and we do this regularly. Each therapy works on a different mechanism, so pairing them covers more of the picture than any one does alone. Decompression addresses mechanical disc pressure. Laser addresses inflammation, nerve irritation, and soft tissue healing. Shockwave addresses tendon and soft tissue repair. Which combination you get depends on your diagnosis. A disc patient is often treated with decompression and laser. A tendon patient is often treated with shockwave and laser. Individual results vary.
Class IV laser therapy has a strong safety record when administered by trained providers using proper protocols. The primary precautions are eye protection (required during every session) and avoiding direct application over suspected malignancy. Your doctor reviews your full health history before starting treatment.
Patients with herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica from disc compression, and certain facet syndrome presentations are typically good candidates. Patients who are pregnant, have had spinal fusion, have severe osteoporosis, or have certain types of spinal hardware are generally not candidates. We determine this at your evaluation.
Laser therapy is contraindicated for patients with active or suspected cancer in the treatment area, and is not applied over the eyes or thyroid. Patients on photosensitizing medications require caution. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication depending on the area being treated. Your full health history is reviewed at the consultation.
We monitor your response throughout your course of care. If you're not progressing as expected, we'll tell you. We may adjust the protocol, recommend additional evaluation, or refer you to a different provider if that's the right call. We don't keep patients in treatment that isn't working.
You meet with one of our doctors for about 15 minutes. They'll review your history, ask about your symptoms, look at any imaging you've brought, and give you their clinical assessment of whether spinal decompression or laser therapy is appropriate for your condition. No pressure. If this isn't the right fit, we'll tell you.
Bring any imaging you have (MRI, X-ray, or CT), a list of your current medications, your insurance card, and a general sense of your history, how long you've had the problem, what you've tried, and what makes it better or worse. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in.
Your first actual treatment session typically takes 45 to 60 minutes including intake paperwork, the treatment itself, and any post-session discussion. Follow-up sessions are generally 30 to 45 minutes.
No referral is required to get started. If you're currently seeing a primary care physician or specialist for the issue you're coming to us for, we're happy to coordinate with them and share our clinical findings to make sure you're getting consistent care from all providers involved.
If you're running behind, please call us as soon as possible at 405-363-9712 and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may require us to reschedule your appointment to protect the time reserved for other patients. Getting here a few minutes early on your first visit gives us time to get you checked in without rushing into your session.
We ask for at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Cancellations or no-shows with less than 24 hours' notice may result in a cancellation fee. If an emergency comes up, call us as soon as you can, we understand that unexpected things happen and we'll work with you. To cancel or reschedule, call 405-363-9712 directly.
We work with a range of insurance carriers. Call us with your insurance information before your first visit and we'll verify your specific benefits. We'll give you a clear picture of what's covered and what's not before you commit to a course of care. If you don't have insurance, ask about our payment plan options.
Spinal decompression therapy is not always covered as a standalone benefit. Some plans include it under chiropractic or physical medicine benefits; others do not. We recommend calling our office and letting us verify for you before your first visit.
We offer payment plan options and can discuss financing for patients whose insurance doesn't cover their recommended care. Ask our staff about current options at the time of your consultation.
Fifteen minutes with one of our doctors will answer more questions than this page can. Bring your imaging, ask everything you want to ask, and leave with a clear picture.
Treatment is recommended only after clinical evaluation. Individual results vary.