Non-surgical motorized spinal traction in Houston gently stretches the spine to relieve herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic neck and back pain — drug-free.
Mulberry Chiropractic
Spinal Decompression in Houston
If a herniated disc, sciatica, or chronic back pain has you looking for a non-surgical answer, spinal decompression therapy at our Houston clinic may be exactly what you need. Dr. Richard Sharma uses a motorized traction table to gently stretch your spine in precise, computer-controlled cycles — relieving pressure on compressed discs and the nerves around them without drugs, injections, or surgery. It's one of the most comfortable, effective conservative options available for disc-related back and neck pain anywhere in the Houston area.
Before your first session, Dr. Sharma 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
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
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 restore the disc or take the pressure off the nerve. Spinal decompression does both at once.
During a decompression session, the motorized table creates a controlled negative pressure inside the disc — essentially a gentle vacuum effect — that coaxes bulging material back toward center and draws oxygen-rich fluid back in to help the disc rehydrate and heal. 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.
New Patient Special
$47($400 value)
Consultation, exam, any needed X-rays, and your first chiropractic treatment — a $400 value for $47.
We are sorry, but due to regulation, this offer excludes participants of federal aid programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.
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 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. Sharma 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. Sharma 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:
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 Mulberry Chiropractic
Patients from Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, Bellaire, and Memorial choose us because we treat the source, not just the symptom. Dr. Richard Sharma has helped many Houston-area patients avoid surgery by combining computerized spinal decompression and gentle chiropractic care into one clear, time-bound plan — so you get real relief now and the strength to stay pain-free.
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.
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
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 12–20 sessions over 4–6 weeks, depending on how long you've had the problem and how your disc responds. Dr. Sharma 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?+
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. Sharma 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.
“I cannot recommend Mulberry enough! The Gonstead method is like none other. I have scoliosis and thought I would hurt for the rest of my life. The relief that I have received compared to general Western chiropractic is mind blowing! I no longer have pain and my range of motion and energy has increased beyond what I ever thought possible.
I also brought my daughter's boyfriend because he was seeing a general chiropractor but still always complaining of discomfort. He had x-rays taken at that Chiro but there were no treatment options available. Meaning they did not know how to help him. I knew Dr. Sharma would be able to. Sure enough after his examination Dr. Sharma had a treatment option!!
What is offered here has no comparison.
It's such a subtle and precise technique that is simply mind blowing the amount of relief that is received from it.
I have brought an elder friend of mine that is currently receiving treatment; and I just booked a new patient exam for another friend today.
In my option every single person needs Dr. Sharma and the Gonstead technique in their lives!
Do yourself a favor and get an initial exam if nothing else. The prices are beyond reasonable! And even runs specials often.”
SMStacy McGeeVerified review · Google”
“Thank you so much, Dr Sharma and the wonderful team. It was helpful to know what I need to do for a healthy life.”
MLMichael LawrenceVerified review · Google”
“Helped so much with my lower back, took very good care of me, 10/10”
