Services › Spinal Decompression
Advanced Services · NoVa Spine & Wellness · Fairfax, VA

Decompress the Disc.
Retract the Herniation.
Restore the Space.

Non-surgical spinal decompression creates targeted negative intradiscal pressure — drawing herniated or bulging disc material back toward center, rehydrating the disc, and relieving the nerve compression driving your pain and symptoms. No surgery. No injections. Documented on imaging.

Book a Decompression Consultation How It Works
Dr. Nick Weber, DC — CBP Advanced Certified
Personal history of disc injury — Dr. Weber has lived this treatment
Aetna · BCBS · CareFirst · UHC accepted · 703-447-1121
Non-Surgical
Spinal decompression achieves what previously required surgery — negative intradiscal pressure that draws herniated disc material away from the nerve root
The mechanical alternative to discectomy for many patients
−150 mmHg
Negative intradiscal pressure created during decompression — the suction force that retracts disc herniations and draws nutrient-rich fluid back into the disc
Disc + Nerve
Simultaneously
Decompression addresses both the structural disc problem and the nerve root compression it creates — without separating the two
What Is Spinal Decompression?

Mechanical traction with
a precisely controlled negative pressure effect.

Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy uses a specialized motorized traction table to apply controlled, intermittent distraction forces to specific spinal segments. Unlike older forms of traction — which applied static, sustained pulling force — modern computerized decompression tables deliver precisely calibrated cycles of tension and release that create genuine negative pressure inside the intervertebral disc.

This negative intradiscal pressure — measured at approximately −150 mmHg at the target disc — produces two simultaneous therapeutic effects: it creates a suction force that retracts herniated or bulging disc material away from the nerve root, and it draws fluid, oxygen, and nutrients back into the disc nucleus, rehydrating the disc and supporting tissue repair.

Spinal decompression is not the same as general traction. The computerized tension-release cycling, the precise segment targeting, and the ability to reach negative intradiscal pressure are what distinguish modern decompression therapy from simple mechanical pulling. At NoVa Spine & Wellness, decompression is integrated with CBP structural correction — because addressing the disc problem without correcting the structural loading that caused it is an incomplete solution.

Lumbar Decompression
The most common application — targeting the L4–L5 and L5–S1 discs responsible for the majority of disc herniations, sciatica, and degenerative disc disease. The patient is positioned supine on the table, and the lower body harness precisely angles the traction to the specific disc level.
Cervical Decompression
For cervical disc herniations, bulges, and degenerative disc disease at C5–C6 and C6–C7 — the most commonly affected cervical levels. The cervical harness positions the head at a precise angle to decompress the specific disc rather than generally distract the cervical spine.
Personal experience
“I’ve had a disc injury. I’ve been through this treatment. I recommend it because it worked — not because it’s on the menu.”
Dr. Weber’s personal history with intervertebral disc injury gives him clinical insight and patient empathy that purely academic training cannot provide.
Book a Decompression Consultation Call 703-447-1121
Practice Information
Location
10617 Jones St, Suite 101A
Fairfax, VA 22030
Insurance
Aetna · BCBS · CareFirst
UHC · Cash Pay
The mechanism — why decompression works

Three simultaneous therapeutic mechanisms. One treatment session.

Spinal decompression does not work through a single mechanism. The controlled tension-release cycling produces three distinct therapeutic effects simultaneously — which is why it outperforms both static traction and passive rest for disc-related pain.

↩️
Disc Material Retraction
Negative intradiscal pressure creates a centripetal suction force on the nucleus pulposus — drawing herniated or bulging disc material back toward the disc center and away from the nerve root. This is the primary mechanism for sciatica relief and radicular symptom resolution.
💧
Disc Rehydration & Nutrient Influx
The tension-release cycling creates a pumping action in the disc — alternately compressing and expanding the nucleus. This drives fluid, oxygen, and nutrients into the disc that cannot reach it during sustained compression. Disc hydration is essential for disc height recovery and long-term disc health.
🔓
Facet Joint Distraction
Simultaneous to disc decompression, the traction force separates the facet joint surfaces — relieving the impingement and inflammation that facet-loaded disc degeneration creates. For many patients, facet pain contributes significantly to the overall pain picture and is addressed simultaneously with disc decompression.
Why the tension-release cycle matters more than sustained traction

Static traction applies constant force — which triggers protective muscle spasm within minutes, limiting the effective distraction force reaching the disc. Computerized decompression cycling between peak tension and partial release allows the paraspinal muscles to relax progressively over the session — meaning the decompressive force penetrates deeper into the disc structures with each cycle, rather than being resisted by guarding muscles throughout.
Relative Intradiscal Pressure
Standing
~100%
Sitting
~140%
Lying flat
~25%
Decompression
Negative
Only decompression achieves negative intradiscal pressure
Conditions Spinal Decompression Treats

The disc and nerve conditions most
likely to respond to decompression.

Decompression is most effective for conditions driven by disc herniation, disc bulge, or degenerative disc disease — where the mechanism of pain is either direct disc compression of a nerve root or progressive disc height loss from chronic overloading.

💿
Lumbar Disc Herniation
Herniated disc material extruding into the spinal canal — creating direct mechanical compression of the L4, L5, or S1 nerve roots. Decompression creates the negative pressure that draws the herniation back toward disc center.
📡
Disc Bulge
Circumferential bulging of the disc annulus before full herniation — still compressing foraminal space and nerve roots. Decompression addresses bulges at the earliest stage before they progress to frank herniation.
⚡
Sciatica
Sciatic nerve root compression from L4–S1 disc herniation — producing the shooting, burning pain that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the leg. Disc retraction directly decompresses the nerve root generating the sciatic pathway.
📉
Degenerative Disc Disease
Progressive disc height loss from chronic loading, dehydration, and structural deviation. Decompression creates the fluid influx and pressure cycling that slows degeneration and reduces the pain generated by collapsed disc space and facet overloading.
↩️
Cervical Disc Herniation
Disc herniations at C5–C6 and C6–C7 compressing cervical nerve roots — producing neck pain, arm pain, and hand numbness. Cervical decompression applies the same negative pressure mechanism to the cervical spine.
🔒
Foraminal Stenosis
Narrowing of the neural foramen from disc height loss, osteophyte formation, or facet hypertrophy — compressing nerve roots at their exit points. Decompression restores disc height and reduces foraminal compression.
Seek urgent evaluation for: progressive leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle anesthesia (numbness in the groin or inner thighs), or rapid neurological deterioration — these may indicate cauda equina syndrome, a surgical emergency.
What to Expect During a Decompression Session

Comfortable, precise, and increasingly
effective with each session.

1
Assessment
Imaging Review & Level-Specific Targeting
Before beginning decompression, Dr. Weber reviews your MRI or CT imaging to identify the specific disc level(s) involved, the direction of the herniation, and the degree of disc height loss. This imaging review is what makes decompression at NoVa Spine precise rather than generic — the traction angle, harness position, and target tension are all set specifically for your disc level and herniation direction, not a one-size protocol.
2
Positioning
Table Setup & Harness Application
For lumbar decompression, you lie comfortably supine on the padded table. A pelvic harness is applied and the table’s lower section is angled to the specific degree that targets your identified disc level — typically between 0° and 25° of hip flexion depending on which lumbar segment requires decompression. For cervical decompression, a cervical head harness is fitted and the angle adjusted for the target cervical level. The setup takes 3–5 minutes; the session itself is 20–30 minutes.
3
Treatment
Computerized Tension-Release Cycling
The computerized table cycles through 15–20 repetitions of peak tension (held for approximately 60 seconds) and partial release (approximately 30 seconds) over the session. The peak tension force is set based on your body weight, disc level, and tissue tolerance — typically starting conservatively and increasing across the first few sessions as your discs demonstrate positive response. Most patients find decompression sessions comfortable — many report a notable sense of relief or decompression during the session itself. Acute pain or increased symptoms during a session should be reported immediately.
4
Integration
CBP Structural Correction in the Same Session
At NoVa Spine & Wellness, spinal decompression does not stand alone. Dr. Weber integrates structural adjustments and CBP traction correction into the same care plan — because the structural loading that caused the disc to herniate will cause it to re-herniate if not corrected. Decompression addresses the acute disc crisis; CBP structural correction addresses the spinal geometry that created the mechanical environment for it. Sessions are sequenced to maximize the benefit of both.
5
Progress
Response Monitoring & Protocol Adjustment
Dr. Weber monitors your symptom response at every session — tracking changes in pain intensity, radicular symptom distribution, and neurological findings. The protocol is adjusted based on your response: force levels, session frequency, and the integration of adjunct therapies (dry needling to address paraspinal trigger points resisting decompression, for example) are all modified as your case evolves. Progress imaging is recommended at defined intervals for patients with documented herniation to confirm disc response.
“I had a disc injury. I know what it feels like to have a treatment that actually reaches the problem. Decompression does that — in a way that manual therapy alone cannot.”
— Dr. Nick Weber, DC · CBP Advanced Certified
20–30 min
Typical session duration — comfortable, non-invasive, and often producing noticeable symptom improvement within the first 4–6 sessions
Bring your imaging.
If you have a recent MRI or CT of your spine, bring it. Dr. Weber reviews imaging before your first session to target the specific disc level and configure the protocol correctly.
Book a Consultation Call 703-447-1121
Spinal Decompression vs. Surgery

Why most disc patients should try
decompression before the OR.

Surgery for disc herniation has a defined role — but most spine surgeons recommend exhausting conservative care first, and for good reason. Decompression offers meaningful recovery potential without the risks, costs, and downtime of surgical intervention.

Non-Surgical Decompression
Surgical Discectomy / Fusion
Recovery time
✓ None — return to normal activity same day
⚠ 2–8 weeks minimum; fusion up to 6 months+
Surgical risk
✓ Zero surgical risk
⚠ Infection, nerve damage, failed back syndrome
Disc preserved
✓ Disc tissue preserved and rehabilitated
⚠ Discectomy removes disc material; fusion eliminates motion
Adjacent degeneration
✓ No adjacent level risk
⚠ Fusion consistently increases adjacent segment degeneration
Spinal mobility
✓ Full mobility maintained throughout
⚠ Fusion permanently eliminates motion at fused levels
Cost
✓ Fraction of surgical cost; covered by most plans
⚠ $50,000–$150,000+ for spinal fusion with hospital stay
Addresses root cause
✓ When integrated with CBP structural correction
⚠ Surgery removes the symptom generator but not the structural cause
When Dr. Weber recommends surgical consultation
Decompression has limits — and Dr. Weber will tell you directly when surgery is the right answer.
Cauda equina syndrome, progressive motor weakness, or failure to respond after a complete conservative care trial are indications for surgical evaluation. Dr. Weber will not continue decompression indefinitely on a case that needs surgery — and will provide a direct referral recommendation when clinical findings warrant it. The goal is always the right outcome for the patient.
Patient Candidacy

Is spinal decompression
right for you?

Decompression is highly effective for a specific subset of disc and nerve conditions. Dr. Weber assesses candidacy at your initial consultation — including imaging review and neurological examination — before beginning treatment.

Good candidates — decompression is likely appropriate if you have:
Strong clinical fit for non-surgical decompression.
  • MRI-confirmed disc herniation or bulge at L4–L5, L5–S1, or cervical levels
  • Sciatica or radicular arm pain from confirmed nerve root compression
  • Degenerative disc disease with discogenic pain
  • Foraminal stenosis without significant fixed bony stenosis
  • Patients who prefer to exhaust non-surgical options before considering surgery
  • Post-surgical patients with recurring disc problems at non-fused levels
Contraindications — decompression is not appropriate with:
Cases requiring alternative or surgical evaluation first.
  • Cauda equina syndrome (bowel/bladder involvement) — surgical emergency
  • Spinal fracture at the target level
  • Spinal tumor or metastatic disease
  • Severe osteoporosis with fracture risk
  • Spinal fusion hardware at the target level
  • Progressive motor weakness with neurological deterioration
For any contraindicated presentation, Dr. Weber will provide a clear referral recommendation and honest guidance on next steps.
What to Expect

Your decompression
treatment timeline.

Most patients begin noticing meaningful symptom reduction within the first 4–8 sessions. Full disc rehabilitation typically requires 20–30 sessions over 6–8 weeks.

Visit 1–2
Imaging Review, Assessment & First Session
Dr. Weber reviews your MRI or CT, performs a neurological examination, and configures your decompression protocol. Your first session begins conservatively. Allow 60–75 minutes for this visit.
Sessions 2–8
Acute Phase — Initial Pain Reduction
Most patients experience meaningful reduction in radicular symptoms and acute pain within the first 4–8 sessions. Force levels are progressively increased as tissue tolerance improves and positive response is confirmed.
Sessions 8–20
Rehabilitation Phase — Disc Recovery
Continued decompression drives disc rehydration, height recovery, and nerve root decompression. CBP structural correction is integrated to address the spinal geometry contributing to disc loading. Dry needling targets paraspinal trigger points that resist correction.
Sessions 20–30
Consolidation Phase — Stabilization
The final sessions consolidate disc height gains, complete nerve root decompression, and establish the structural stability needed to maintain results. Progress imaging may be recommended to document disc response.
Long-Term
Maintenance & Structural Protection
A reduced-frequency maintenance program preserves disc health and structural correction — and is essential for patients whose daily activities (prolonged sitting, heavy lifting, repetitive loading) continue to challenge the recovered disc.
Insurance & Payment
We work with your insurance.
Spinal decompression coverage varies by plan and diagnosis. We verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
Aetna
In-network
BlueCross BlueShield
In-network
CareFirst
In-network
UnitedHealthCare
In-network
Questions about coverage? Call 703-447-1121 and we’ll verify before you book.
Other Services at NoVa Spine & Wellness

Explore our full range of services.

🦴
CBP Spinal Correction
↕️
Spinal Decompression
🪡
Dry Needling
⚡
Sports Chiropractic
💚
Wellness Care
Questions about decompression?
Talk to Dr. Weber before you book.
Bring your MRI or CT imaging to your consultation. Dr. Weber will review it, assess your candidacy, and give you a direct, honest assessment of what decompression can achieve for your specific case.
Book a Decompression Consultation
or
Call 703-447-1121
FAQ

Spinal decompression
questions answered.

Is spinal decompression the same as traction?
No — they share the principle of distraction but are fundamentally different in mechanism and effect. Traditional traction applies constant static force, which triggers protective muscle spasm within minutes and prevents the distraction from reaching the disc effectively. Computerized decompression cycles between peak tension and partial release, which allows paraspinal muscles to relax progressively — enabling the distraction force to penetrate the disc and create genuine negative intradiscal pressure (approximately −150 mmHg). Only negative intradiscal pressure produces the suction force that retracts disc material. Static traction cannot achieve this.
Does spinal decompression hurt?
Most patients find decompression comfortable and many report noticeable relief during the session itself. The table cycling is gentle — the force levels are set conservatively initially and increased gradually based on your response. Patients with acute disc pain who find any movement provocative may experience mild discomfort during the first 1–2 sessions as the body adapts, but significant pain during decompression is not normal and should be reported to Dr. Weber immediately. Post-session muscle soreness in the first few sessions is normal as the paraspinal tissues adapt.
My doctor told me to just rest for my herniated disc. Should I try decompression instead?
“Rest and see how it goes” is a reasonable initial approach for acute disc herniation — many herniations do resorb spontaneously over 6–12 weeks. However, this passive approach does nothing to address the structural spinal deviation that created the mechanical environment for the herniation, nor does it support the disc’s recovery process. Decompression actively drives disc rehydration, creates the pressure environment for herniation retraction, and integrates with structural correction to prevent recurrence. For patients who are still symptomatic after 4–6 weeks of rest, decompression is a logical next step before considering more invasive options.
How many sessions will I need?
A full decompression program typically involves 20–30 sessions over 6–8 weeks, with sessions typically scheduled 3–5 times per week in the acute phase and reducing in frequency as the disc rehabilitates. The exact number depends on the severity of the herniation, the degree of disc height loss, how long the condition has been present, and how the disc responds to treatment. Dr. Weber assesses response at every session and will give you an honest updated projection as your case progresses rather than a fixed number committed to at the outset.
I’ve already had back surgery. Can I still do decompression?
It depends on the type of surgery and the levels involved. Patients with hardware-free discectomy at a single level can often receive decompression at adjacent levels without difficulty. Patients with spinal fusion cannot receive decompression at fused levels but may benefit from decompression at unfused adjacent segments — which are statistically at elevated risk for accelerated degeneration following fusion. Dr. Weber reviews your surgical records and imaging before any post-surgical decompression to confirm candidacy and safety for your specific situation.

Stop managing disc pain.
Decompress it.

Book a spinal decompression consultation. Bring your MRI. Dr. Weber will review your imaging, assess your candidacy, and tell you directly what decompression can achieve for your specific disc.

Book a Decompression Consultation Call 703-447-1121

Clinical Research & Evidence

Conditions Treated with Spinal Decompression

Spinal decompression is most effective when disc pathology is the confirmed structural cause. See the related condition pages: Disc Herniation & Sciatica and Lower Back Pain. For long-term structural protection of the disc, decompression is combined with CBP Spinal Correction to restore the spinal curves that prevent recurrence.

Is spinal decompression the same as traction?

No — they share the principle of distraction but are fundamentally different in mechanism and effect. Traditional traction applies constant static force, which triggers protective muscle spasm within minutes and prevents the distraction from reaching the disc effectively. Computerized decompression cycles between peak tension and partial release, which allows paraspinal muscles to relax progressively — enabling the distraction force to penetrate the disc and create genuine negative intradiscal pressure (approximately −150 mmHg). Only negative intradiscal pressure produces the suction force that retracts disc material. Static traction cannot achieve this.

Does spinal decompression hurt?

Most patients find decompression comfortable and many report noticeable relief during the session itself. The table cycling is gentle — the force levels are set conservatively initially and increased gradually based on your response. Patients with acute disc pain who find any movement provocative may experience mild discomfort during the first 1–2 sessions as the body adapts, but significant pain during decompression is not normal and should be reported to Dr. Weber immediately. Post-session muscle soreness in the first few sessions is normal as the paraspinal tissues adapt.

My doctor told me to just rest for my herniated disc. Should I try decompression instead?

“Rest and see how it goes” is a reasonable initial approach for acute disc herniation — many herniations do resorb spontaneously over 6–12 weeks. However, this passive approach does nothing to address the structural spinal deviation that created the mechanical environment for the herniation, nor does it support the disc’s recovery process. Decompression actively drives disc rehydration, creates the pressure environment for herniation retraction, and integrates with structural correction to prevent recurrence. For patients who are still symptomatic after 4–6 weeks of rest, decompression is a logical next step before considering more invasive options.

How many sessions will I need?

A full decompression program typically involves 20–30 sessions over 6–8 weeks, with sessions typically scheduled 3–5 times per week in the acute phase and reducing in frequency as the disc rehabilitates. The exact number depends on the severity of the herniation, the degree of disc height loss, how long the condition has been present, and how the disc responds to treatment. Dr. Weber assesses response at every session and will give you an honest updated projection as your case progresses rather than a fixed number committed to at the outset.

I’ve already had back surgery. Can I still do decompression?

It depends on the type of surgery and the levels involved. Patients with hardware-free discectomy at a single level can often receive decompression at adjacent levels without difficulty. Patients with spinal fusion cannot receive decompression at fused levels but may benefit from decompression at unfused adjacent segments — which are statistically at elevated risk for accelerated degeneration following fusion. Dr. Weber reviews your surgical records and imaging before any post-surgical decompression to confirm candidacy and safety for your specific situation.

Spinal decompression therapy uses motorized traction to gently separate vertebrae, relieve disc pressure, and promote natural disc rehydration for herniated and degenerative disc conditions.

Baseline clinical assessment

Disc-related symptoms, range of motion, and pain levels are documented to establish a pre-treatment baseline for outcome tracking.

Harness fitting

A pelvic harness is fitted to your body to secure you to the decompression table and ensure precise force application during treatment.

Protocol programming

Pull weight, angle, and cycle duration are calibrated to your specific disc level and condition based on clinical findings.

Decompression cycles

The table alternates between traction and relaxation phases, creating a pumping effect that draws fluid and nutrients into the disc.

Progress tracking

Symptom response is reassessed after each session; pull weight and protocol parameters are adjusted as disc hydration and pain tolerance improve.