You’ve Finally Found Your Alternative to Back Surgery
Spinal Decompression Therapy for Herniated Discs
“My doctor told me the only option left was back surgery.”
We hear this everyday yet for most people this is simply not true.
The Institute for Functional Health is proud to announce our newest therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain – Spinal Decompression Therapy.
Spinal Decompression Therapy is an FDA-approved treatment with proven clinical success for patients suffering from a variety of pains, including:
- Bulging, herniated or ruptured discs
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica pain
- Spinal stenosis
- Disc degeneration
How Does Spinal Decompression Work?
In short, patients lay on a table that gently pulls your torso in the opposite direction of your legs. This removes the compression between your vertebra, providing relief to the nerves and drawing in fluids to promote hydration and healing of the tissue.
You’ll find plenty of examples and demonstrations on YouTube as we work on our own video.
Common Questions
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy a new treatment?
No. This therapy has been around for years. In fact, you probably already have a friend or neighbor who has undergone treatment and can give you their firsthand success story.
Is the treatment painful?
Most patients experience no pain and actually find their time on the decompression table to be relaxing – both mentally and physically. It actually takes very little pressure to decompress the spine.
For those patients who do experience discomfort, we can typically trace that discomfort back to improper positioning, too much or too little pressure, or short muscle spasms that may occur immediately following treatment.
How long does the treatment take?
Every case is different, but a single session typically requires 20-30 minutes. Treatment plans may require a wide range of sessions – differing in the number of sessions per week and the number of weeks needed.
Your treatment plan will be determined with your clinician after your in-person physical evaluation and review of imaging such as X-ray and MRI.
Are there side effects?
Most patients experience very few, if any, side effects. For those who do, most side effects are limited to the aches they may feel from small muscle spasms. This is a natural reaction as your muscles work to protect your nerves.
Additionally, your clinician may recommend additional therapies to assist with muscle relaxation while recovering. Sounds like a great excuse to treat yourself to a massage!
What does it cost? Does insurance cover this?
It depends. I know…that is not a fun answer. The truth of the matter is that every insurance company is different and every insurance plan is different. In fact, two plans with the same name may even have different coverage benefits.
Additionally, every patient is its own unique case – some patients may need 4 weeks of treatment, others may need 12 weeks; some patients may need once a week, others may need 4 times a week.
But here is what we can tell you, the average cost of an entire Decompression Therapy Program is typically between $1,500 and $5,000, for the more extreme cases.
And even better, before you commit to anything and pay one dollar, you will know exactly what it will cost and how much your insurance will cover.
Every program begins with a complimentary in-person evaluation. During this visit we will assess your current state and gather any imaging (X-rays or MRI) that you already have. If needed, we will also order current imaging. Of course, we will work with you to find an imaging center that handles your insurance.
Our team will draw up a treatment plan based on how you present, and you will come back in for a Report of Findings the following week. Again, this appointment is complimentary, and you will learn the program that we propose along with the costs and your insurance benefits.
So that is our commitment – you will pay nothing until you know the full cost of your customized Spinal Decompression Program. But there’s more . . .
How do I know if I am a good candidate?
Before you take time out of your day to come in for your complimentary in-person evaluation, find out right now if you are good candidate with our initial at-home screening.
Introducing our online Spinal Decompression Therapy Self-Assessment.
Why choose the Institute for Functional Health?
Spinal decompression therapy is offered by many spine surgeons, chiropractors, pain management doctors, and physical therapists. Why choose us?
The answer is simple: Nowhere else will you find the same totality of care for your entire health and well-being. As an integrated practice, and under the medical direction of Dr. Linda Esquivel, M.D., we have the ability to provide medical care to our patients when required . . . but our first course of action is to assess your current state through the lens of functional wellness.
This means we don’t apply one Band-aid to one sympton, to then just cause a cascade of side effects and symptoms across the rest of your body. Our goal is not to “prescribe relief”, but rather to thoroughly investigate your health and determine the root cause of your pain.
After the completion of a successful spinal decompression program, if we can help you to identify what it is that led to the problem, then you can hopefully avoid a reocurrence of symptoms years down the road.
Even if you first visit us at the Institute for Functional Health to provide Spinal Decompression Therapy, we are confident that you will continue your healthful journey with us as the place where San Antonio comes to – Get Well & Stay Well!
