Non-Surgical Relief for Disc Injuries at Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine
If you are struggling with chronic back pain, radiating leg pain, or numbness caused by a herniated or bulging disc, you may have been told that surgery or spinal injections are your only options.
At Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine, Dr. Kenneth Haywood offers a highly effective, non-invasive alternative: Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression.
Using state-of-the-art technology, we help patients in Houston find lasting relief from debilitating disc conditions by addressing the problem at its structural source.
What is Spinal Decompression?
Spinal Decompression is a specialized type of traction therapy that creates “negative pressure” within the spinal discs. Unlike standard traction, our decompression system uses computer-controlled technology to gently stretch the spine in a way that bypasses the body’s natural muscle guarding response.
This process achieves two primary goals:
- Vacuum Effect: The negative pressure helps “pull” the bulging or herniated disc material back into the center of the disc, taking direct pressure off the surrounding nerves.
- Nutrient Intake: The gentle pumping action encourages the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrient-rich fluids into the disc, which promotes the body’s natural healing process for damaged tissues.
Conditions Treated with Spinal Decompression
Dr. Haywood utilizes this therapy to treat complex cases that may not respond to traditional chiropractic adjustments alone. It is particularly effective for:
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: Reducing the protrusion that causes sharp, localized pain.
- Sciatica: Relieving the pressure on the sciatic nerve that causes pain to shoot down the leg.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: Creating space between vertebrae that have thinned over time.
- Spinal Stenosis: Helping to open the pathways through which nerves travel.
- Facet Syndrome: Reducing the stress on the small joints in the back of the spine.
What to Expect During Treatment
At our Houston clinic, your comfort is a priority. During a Spinal Decompression session:
- You will remain fully clothed and lie comfortably on our specialized decompression table.
- Haywood will fit you with a harness system designed to target the specific area of your spine (cervical or lumbar) that needs treatment.
- The computer-controlled system will begin a series of gentle stretches and releases.
- Many patients find the treatment so relaxing that they fall asleep during their 15-to-20-minute session.
Most patients require a series of treatments to achieve cumulative results. Dr. Haywood will design a customized protocol based on the severity of your condition and your recovery goals.
Why Choose Dr. Haywood for Decompression?
With his background in Exercise and Sports Science, Dr. Haywood doesn’t just “stretch” the spine—he integrates decompression into a holistic recovery plan. Once the pressure is relieved from the disc, he often incorporates therapeutic exercises to strengthen the supporting core muscles, ensuring the spine stays stable and the pain does not return.
Avoid Surgery. Reclaim Your Life.
You don’t have to live with the “lightning bolt” pain of a disc injury. Spinal Decompression is a safe, FDA-cleared, and evidence-based way to avoid invasive procedures and get back to your active Houston lifestyle.
Stop managing the pain and start healing the disc. Call Optimal Spine and Sports Medicine at (281) 301-7710 to see if you are a candidate for Spinal Decompression.