Spinal Decompression in Grand Rapids
Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal Decompression is a fantastic treatment option for helping relieve back pain or other issues. This treatment involves the use of a spinal decompression table to help relieve pressure on the spine. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching the spine, which helps to take pressure off of the discs and nerves which may help alleviate pain from many different issues.
This treatment is often used to help treat herniated discs, protruding disc, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and other forms of back pain. Depending on your specific case, we recommend doing a series of sessions with a combination of other forms of chiropractic treatment.
Back Pain
Help relieve back pain with nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy in Forest Hills.
Pinched Nerves
Relieve the pressure off of your pinched nerves and help reduce pain with spinal decompression.
Natural Healing
Promote natural healing of your spinal discs without surgery or pain medications.
Why patients choose us
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
Addresses the root cause by restoring disc height and hydration
Pairs with adjustments and rehab for lasting results
Safe option after conservative care fails and before surgery is considered
Spinal Decompression Treatment in Grand Rapids
Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression is a treatment option that helps gently stretch the spine. This helps to take pressure off of the discs and nerves in your back. During a Spinal Decompression treatment, you'll lay on a special motorized table. The top half of the table remains fixed while the bottom half of the table slowly moves and is controlled by an advanced computer system.
Dr. Waltman fits you with a harness around your pelvis and another around your trunk. You'll be positioned either face-up or face-down on the table, which is computer controlled to help gently stretch and decompress your spine. Dr. Waltman controls the table using the connected computer, customizing the treatment to your specific needs.
As your spine is stretched it takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. That negative space gives herniated and bulging disks space where they may retract. This helps take pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine and ultimately leading to less pain and discomfort. This can also help increase the movement of other nutrient-rich fluids, water, and oxygen into the disks to promote healing.
New Patient Special
$47
Chiropractic Consult, Full Chiropractic Exam, X-Rays (if necessary), Chiropractic Adjustment, Report of Findings, Care Recommendations
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 — drawing bulging or herniated material back toward center and pulling in the oxygen and fluid the disc needs to heal. The result 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 keeps the surrounding muscles from bracing against the pull — making it more comfortable and more effective than its predecessors. Sessions are deeply relaxing, and most patients describe them that way.
What to expect
Your first visit begins with a candidacy exam. Dr. Waltman 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. Waltman 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.
Patients often feel some relief within the first three to five visits. Lasting improvement builds over the full course of care as the disc rehydrates and the supporting muscles grow stronger.
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
- Spinal stenosis — a condition that happens when the spinal column becomes narrower, which can cause problems like pain, numbness, and tingling
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 Thornapple River Chiropractic
Patients from Grand Rapids, Cascade, Ada, Forest Hills, and Kentwood choose us because we treat the source, not just the symptom. Dr. Jonathan Waltman has helped many West Michigan patients avoid surgery by combining computerized spinal decompression, gentle chiropractic care.
If you are suffering from any of the conditions listed above, or if you simply want to improve your overall spinal health, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with our chiropractic team in Grand Rapids. We’ll assess your conditions and determine if spinal decompression is right for your care.
Give us a call and book your appointment today!
What it helps
Conditions we treat with spinal decompression
Is spinal decompression safe?+
Yes, spinal decompression therapy is very safe when provided by an experienced chiropractor like Dr. Jonathan Waltman. This FDA-cleared, non-invasive treatment is trusted by patients throughout Grand Rapids who want natural pain relief without the risks of surgery or dependence on medications.
What does decompression feel like?+
Most patients find it relaxing — a gentle stretch and release across the low back or neck. There is no sharp pulling or discomfort. Many patients doze off during the session.
How many sessions will I need?+
The number of spinal decompression sessions depends on your condition and goals. On average, patients in Grand Rapids may need 15–30 sessions over several weeks for the best results. Dr. Jonathan Waltman will create a customized treatment plan tailored to your unique spinal health needs.
Can decompression help a herniated or bulging disc?+
Yes — that's the primary use. The negative pressure created during traction encourages disc material to retract and rehydrate, reducing pressure on the nerves. It works well 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 — making it more effective and more comfortable than older manual or weighted traction.
Can decompression help neck pain and arm pain?+
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 leading 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. Waltman 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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What our Grand Rapids patients say
“Dr. Waltman's adjustments have given me so much relief. I notice a HUGE difference after just one time in to see him. I have a tendency to seize up in my neck and back sporadically and each time I've been his patient I leave feeling better--I'm able to exercise normally and sleep without pain. I'm very grateful!”
“My husband and daughter recently visited Dr. Waltman for back and hip pain, and our experience with Dr. Jonathan Waltman was exceptional. Dr. Waltman was not only knowledgeable and thorough in his explanations but also incredibly gentle and compassionate in his approach. His great sense of humor put us at ease throughout the appointments. The care and attention he provided left a lasting impression on us, to the point where I'm now tempted to schedule an appointment myself, even without immediate issues. If you're looking for a chiropractor who combines expertise with a friendly demeanor, I highly recommend Dr. Jonathan Waltman.”
“Extremely knowledgeable and very caring. Took the time to really make sure you had what you needed. Would wildly recommend and I am excited to continue visiting.”