Treatment · Spine
Non-surgical, image-guided options for disc-related back and neck pain — targeting the true pain generator so you can move again without an operation.
Disc-related pain — from degeneration, bulges or herniations — is one of the most over-treated problems in orthopedics. Too many patients are routed toward fusion or long-term medication before the actual source of pain is confirmed.
Our cornerstone for disc pain is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: you lie comfortably on a special motorized table that applies controlled, gentle traction to the spine. That traction creates negative pressure within the disc, which helps reposition bulging or herniated disc material, relieves pressure on nearby nerves and promotes healing. Sessions last about 30–45 minutes and are relaxation-based. Where appropriate, our UCSF-trained interventional spine team adds targeted, image-guided procedures and opioid-sparing techniques — keeping surgery a last resort, not a first one.
Non-surgical spinal decompression
Most back surgery is decided before the true source of pain is confirmed. We reverse that order — diagnose precisely, then treat conservatively.
How it works
From diagnosis to recovery, here’s the path.
Step 1
We combine exam, imaging review and diagnostic procedures to confirm exactly which structure is generating pain.
Step 2
On a motorized table, gentle controlled traction creates negative pressure within the disc to retract bulging or herniated material — typically over a series of 30–45 minute sessions.
Step 3
Where appropriate, fluoroscopy-guided orthobiologic or interventional procedures are added at the confirmed source.
Step 4
If conservative care isn’t enough, our surgeon can advise — so surgery is reserved for when it’s truly right.
Conditions we address
Surgery isn’t off the table — but it shouldn’t be the first answer. An evaluation clarifies your options.
Frequently, yes. Many disc-related conditions respond to precise, image-guided interventional and orthobiologic treatment paired with targeted rehab — without an operation.
We don’t assume from an MRI alone — imaging often shows changes that aren’t the actual pain source. We confirm the generator with exam and, when needed, diagnostic procedures.
Our interventional approach is built to minimize and eliminate opioid use, coordinating with physical therapy and other specialists for comprehensive, multimodal care.
Coverage varies by procedure. We provide transparent pricing and documentation, and will explain what to expect before anything is scheduled.
Book a concierge evaluation in San Francisco or Palo Alto.
