Spinal Decompression in Novato
Spinal decompression in Novato, CA — gentle, non-surgical traction to ease pressure from herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic back or neck pain. Book an exam.
DeSalvo Chiropractic
Spinal Decompression in Novato
If a herniated disc, sciatica, or chronic back pain has you looking for a non-surgical answer, spinal decompression in Novato, CA may be exactly what you need. Dr. DeSalvo uses a motorized traction table to gently stretch your spine in precise, computer-controlled cycles — easing pressure on compressed discs and the nerves around them without drugs, injections, or surgery. It's a comfortable, conservative option for disc-related back and neck pain for patients across the North Bay.
How it works
What to expect with spinal decompression
- Step 1
Thorough candidacy exam
Before your first session, Dr. DeSalvo reviews your history and performs orthopedic and neurological testing to confirm you're a good candidate and rule out contraindications — so decompression is both safe and targeted for your specific disc issue.
- Step 2
A personalized decompression plan
You receive a clear, time-bound schedule of sessions with specific tension levels and angles dialed in for your spine — not a generic protocol. We explain exactly what to expect and when you should feel improvement.
- Step 3
Decompression + adjustments + rehab
Each visit combines the traction session with gentle chiropractic adjustments to restore joint motion and targeted core exercises that protect the disc and keep pain from returning.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of spinal decompression
Non-surgical — no incisions, anesthesia, or recovery time
Drug-free relief from disc, nerve, and radiating pain
Comfortable — most patients describe sessions as relaxing
Designed to take pressure off the disc and the nerves around it
Pairs with adjustments and rehab for longer-lasting results
A conservative option to try before surgery is considered
The basics
About spinal decompression
Your spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock and allowing movement. When a disc bulges, herniates, or loses height from everyday wear, it can press on nearby nerves and produce pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the leg or arm. Traditional pain relief — rest, anti-inflammatories, injections — can quiet symptoms for a while, but they don't take the pressure off the disc or the nerve. Spinal decompression is designed to address both.
During a decompression session, the motorized table creates a controlled negative pressure inside the disc — essentially a gentle vacuum effect — designed to coax bulging material back toward center and draw fluid back into the disc to support healing. At the same time, tight muscles and restricted spinal joints get a chance to release. Most patients find the 15–20 minute sessions deeply relaxing, and many feel noticeable relief within the first few visits. We pair decompression with chiropractic adjustments and targeted rehab so the results hold long after your plan ends.
One visit. Real answers. A plan made for you.
Reserved for new patients: an unhurried first visit with Dr. DeSalvo himself. Your one-on-one consultation, comprehensive exam, muscle and nerve function assessment and first treatment, plus a care plan designed around you, all for $97.
What your New Patient Special includes
- A one-on-one consultation with Dr. DeSalvo
- A comprehensive exam
- A muscle & nerve function assessment
- Your first treatment
- A customized care plan, built around your goals
New patients only, one per person. X-rays are not included. If you choose to continue care, your care plan and its pricing are discussed with you up front. Not available for automobile-accident or personal-injury cases. Read the full New Patient Special disclaimer.
What is spinal decompression?
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a motorized traction therapy that gently stretches the spine in precise, computer-controlled cycles. As the table creates a carefully calibrated pull and release, negative pressure builds inside the affected disc — designed to draw bulging or herniated material back toward center and pull in the fluid the disc needs to heal. The goal is less pressure on the disc itself and on the nerves running through the surrounding foramen.
Unlike older manual traction, modern computerized decompression targets a specific spinal level and angle, adapts tension in real time, and helps keep the surrounding muscles from bracing against the pull — so it is more targeted and more comfortable than its predecessors. Sessions last roughly 15–20 minutes, and most patients describe them as deeply relaxing.
What to expect
Your first visit begins with a candidacy exam. Dr. Douglas DeSalvo reviews your history, performs orthopedic and neurological testing, and — if you’ve had recent imaging — reviews it to confirm which disc level is involved and whether decompression is the right fit. If you’re a good candidate, your personalized plan is mapped out: the number of sessions, the tension settings, and the angle of pull are all tailored to your spine.
During each session you’ll lie comfortably on the motorized table. A harness positions you so the traction is directed precisely at the target disc. The table then cycles through gentle stretch-and-release intervals — most patients relax, and many fall asleep. After decompression, Dr. DeSalvo typically adds a chiropractic adjustment to restore joint motion, followed by targeted core or stabilization exercises that protect the disc and reinforce the work done on the table.
Many patients feel some relief within the first several visits. Lasting improvement builds over the full course of care as the disc rehydrates and the supporting muscles grow stronger.
Patient story: lower back pain resolved
More from Dr. DeSalvo
See more patient stories and spine explainers, including Dennis’s leg numbness resolved with Accu-Spina treatment, Dr. DeSalvo explaining how spinal decompression helps back pain, Jane Vermillion’s Acuspina transformation, and pain relief without surgery.
Who it helps
Spinal decompression is especially well suited for patients with:
- Herniated or bulging discs in the lower back or neck
- Sciatica — pain, numbness, or weakness running from the low back into the leg
- Pinched nerves causing arm or leg pain
- Chronic low back pain that hasn’t responded to adjustments alone
- Neck pain with radiating arm symptoms
- Degenerative disc disease causing ongoing stiffness and nerve irritation
- Leg pain or arm pain traced to a compressed spinal nerve
- Buttock or hip pain referred from an irritated lumbar nerve root
It works best as part of a combined plan — decompression relieves disc pressure, chiropractic adjustments restore joint mechanics, and rehab builds the core stability that keeps the disc from re-loading. If your candidacy exam suggests surgery is the better path, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate that referral.
Why choose DeSalvo Chiropractic
Patients from Novato and across Marin County choose us because we treat the source, not just the symptom. Dr. DeSalvo helps North Bay patients pursue non-surgical relief by combining computerized spinal decompression, gentle chiropractic care, and targeted physiotherapy into one clear, time-bound plan — aimed at relief now and the strength to stay active.
Ready to see if decompression is right for you? Our New Patient Special makes your first visit easy, and you can book an appointment online in under a minute.
What it helps
Conditions we treat with spinal decompression
Is spinal decompression safe?
Yes. It is a non-invasive, drug-free therapy. After a thorough exam we confirm you're a good candidate before beginning a plan. We screen out contraindications — including recent fractures, certain surgical hardware, and osteoporosis — so the therapy is always appropriate for you.
What does decompression feel like?
Most patients find it relaxing — a gentle stretch and release across the low back or neck over about 15–20 minutes. There is no sharp pulling or discomfort. Many patients doze off during the session.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical plan is a series of sessions over several weeks, depending on how long you've had the problem and how your disc responds. Dr. DeSalvo gives you a specific plan with a clear endpoint after your exam — not open-ended treatment.
Will my insurance cover spinal decompression?
Coverage varies by plan. We verify your benefits before your first visit and walk you through what's covered. Affordable self-pay plans are also available for patients without coverage.
Can decompression help a herniated or bulging disc?
That's the primary use. The negative pressure created during traction is designed to encourage disc material to retract and rehydrate, reducing pressure on the nerves. It is commonly used for lumbar herniation causing sciatica and cervical herniation causing arm pain.
Is decompression the same as traction?
They're related but not identical. Traditional traction pulls the spine in one direction at a fixed tension. Computerized spinal decompression uses precise, variable-tension cycles and can be angled to target a specific disc level — designed to be more targeted and more comfortable than older manual or weighted traction.
Can decompression help neck pain and arm pain?
Often, yes. Cervical decompression uses the same principle applied to the neck — gentle computer-controlled traction to relieve pressure on cervical discs and the nerves that travel into the arm. It's a conservative option for cervical herniation, pinched nerves, and arm tingling or numbness.
Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression?
Patients with recent spinal fractures, spinal fusion hardware in the area being treated, severe osteoporosis, active cancer in the spine, or pregnancy in the lumbar region are typically not candidates. Your candidacy exam covers all of these so we only proceed when it's the right choice.
How do I know if my back pain is disc-related?
Disc pain often radiates into the leg (sciatica) or arm, worsens when sitting or bending forward, and may include numbness or weakness. An orthopedic and neurological exam — and imaging if needed — lets Dr. DeSalvo confirm the source and tell you whether decompression is the right tool.
What is spinal decompression used for?
It's used for herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, pinched nerves in the neck and low back, facet syndrome, and chronic neck or back pain that hasn't responded to other conservative care. We're honest about expected outcomes and refer out if surgery is the better path.
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Patient reviews
What our Novato patients say
“I had a great experience at DeSalvo Chiropractic! Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and professional, and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure I understood what they were doing throughout my visit.”
“Great chiropractic service! The staff was friendly and professional, and I felt comfortable throughout my visit. The treatment was helpful, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quality chiropractic care.”
“I am an avid tennis player with the usual tennis injuries and Dr. Desalvo has helped me play again without pain!”