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Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression in Raleigh, NC

What is non-surgical spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression is a table-based therapy that applies a gentle, controlled pull to the spine. The pull decompresses the disc, reducing pressure inside and around it, which takes pressure off the nearby nerves. For many patients that means less pain, and it may help protect the disc and nerves from ongoing irritation and degeneration.

One thing this page should say plainly, because much of what you read online will not: decompression does not regrow a disc, and it does not permanently rehydrate one. What it does is reduce pressure on the disc and the nerves it is irritating so the area has a better chance to calm down and heal. Dr. Hoehle would rather you understand exactly what the therapy can and cannot do before you start.

Common symptoms

Patients considering decompression usually have lower back or neck pain from a disc bulge or herniation, pain that radiates into a leg or arm, sciatica, or long-standing back pain that has not responded to other approaches.

How Dr. Hoehle evaluates it

Evaluation starts with a consultation and physical exam, including orthopedic and neurological testing, plus X-rays taken on site. If you already have an MRI, bring it; Dr. Hoehle reviews MRI imaging when it is available. The exam determines whether decompression is appropriate for your case and how it should be set up.

Treatment approaches we may consider

Dr. Hoehle is certified in the Kennedy Decompression Technique (January 2017) and has used decompression as a core tool of the practice for years; the office runs dedicated decompression tables. The amount of pull is designed for each patient individually, so the treatment stays within what your spine and your comfort can handle. Decompression is often combined with chiropractic adjustments and corrective exercise as part of an individualized plan.

Who is (and who is not) a good candidate

Candidates are typically patients with disc-related pain or nerve pressure confirmed by exam and imaging. Decompression is not appropriate for anyone with a fractured spine or a tumor on the spine or spinal cord; those cases need medical care, not decompression. If your exam points that direction, Dr. Hoehle will refer you to the right provider. And if you begin care and are not responding the way he expects, he will re-evaluate rather than simply continue, including referring you out for an MRI when needed.

What to expect at your first visit

A consultation, an exam with orthopedic and neurological testing, any necessary X-rays, and, if decompression is appropriate, treatment. During a session you lie on the decompression table while it applies a calibrated pull. Most patients describe it as a gentle stretch.

Visit length and course of care

The number of sessions varies by condition, severity, and how you respond, so the office does not promise a treatment count. After your exam, Dr. Hoehle lays out recommendations specific to your case and adjusts them based on your progress.

Insurance and payment

Insurance participation varies by plan; the office verifies your benefits before care begins. Auto accident, personal injury, and workers’ compensation cases are accepted. Cards, cash, check, CareCredit, HSA/FSA, and in-house payment plans are available; self-pay pricing on request.

When to seek urgent medical care

Seek emergency care rather than decompression if you have back or neck pain after significant trauma, new loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly worsening leg or arm weakness. These symptoms need immediate medical evaluation.

How to schedule​

Book online at www.raleighchiropracticandwellness.com or call (919) 845-7349.
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Quick questions

No. It feels like a gentle pull. The exact amount of pull is designed for each patient, so it is calibrated to stay comfortable. If a setting ever feels like too much, it can be adjusted.
Many patients with disc-related pain do well, but results vary by condition and patient, and no honest office guarantees an outcome. That is why Dr. Hoehle evaluates first, treats to a plan, and re-evaluates, including referring for an MRI, if you are not responding.
It depends on your condition and response. Recommendations come after your exam and X-rays, not before, and the office does not publish promised treatment counts.
  • Clinically reviewed by Michael Hoehle, DC
  • Published 02/21/2024
  • Last Reviewed 08/12/2026
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