Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Is Making National News — Here's What the Research Shows
National news outlets are now covering non-surgical spinal decompression as a treatment option for disc-related pain, with one recent report on a university neurosurgery study finding that roughly 90% of patients experienced meaningful improvement. Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® has offered FDA-cleared, non-surgical spinal decompression using the DRX9000 since long before this coverage — backed by its own 28-study clinical record.
National Media Is Catching Up to What Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Can Do
In late July 2026, Spectrum News / Bay News 9 (reporter Matt Lackritz) covered a University of South Florida (USF) Health Department of Neurosurgery study on non-surgical spinal decompression for cervical (neck) disc herniation. Patients in the study were secured to a table and gently stretched over roughly 30-minute sessions, typically completing 20 to 24 sessions in total. Researchers reported that approximately 90% of patients experienced meaningful improvement — pain relief first, followed by improved function — over a study period spanning more than two years.
Why This Coverage Matters — Even Without Naming a Specific Device
The Spectrum News report did not name any specific spinal decompression device, and Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® has no affiliation with USF Health, its researchers, or the patients featured. We're not claiming this study used our equipment — we're pointing to it because it reflects a broader shift: national media and university neurosurgery departments are increasingly recognizing non-surgical spinal decompression as a legitimate, less invasive option worth trying before surgery.
One point from the study is worth repeating here too: surgery is still sometimes necessary. Non-surgical decompression isn't presented as a guaranteed replacement for it — it's a step worth trying first for the right patient.
LASD's Own Evidence Base: The DRX9000
Independent of this coverage, Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® has offered non-surgical spinal decompression using the DRX9000 — FDA-cleared technology backed by its own 28 clinical studies, 20 published in peer-reviewed journals — well before this national story ran. The DRX9000 applies precisely calibrated traction to the spine, creating negative pressure inside the affected disc, designed to help retract herniated or bulging disc material and support the disc's own healing process.
Dr. Michael Karr, a UCLA Kinesiology graduate treating West LA patients since 1989, personally reviews your MRI or X-rays to determine whether non-surgical spinal decompression is right for your specific condition.
Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Right for You?
| Your situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Herniated or bulging disc (neck or lower back) | Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression evaluation |
| Sciatica or radiating arm/leg pain | Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (DRX9000) |
| Considering surgery, want to explore alternatives first | Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression evaluation |
| Recovering from spine surgery | Consult Dr. Karr on appropriate next steps |
| Mild aching, no diagnosed disc issue | Evaluation to confirm the cause first |
What Your First Visit Looks Like
- MRI or X-ray review by Dr. Karr, personally
- Clinical evaluation to determine candidacy
- A treatment plan using the DRX9000, calibrated to your specific disc level and condition
Most PPO insurance plans are accepted. (Medicare does not cover spinal decompression.) First treatment: $149 with an approved MRI.
We're at 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 160 — ground floor, free parking, near the 405 and 10. Serving West LA, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, and Culver City.
Call Betty: 310-914-9422
Frequently Asked Questions
Did this study use the DRX9000? The Spectrum News/Bay News 9 report on the USF Health study did not name a specific device or brand. Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® has no affiliation with USF Health or the study's researchers — we're citing this coverage as evidence that non-surgical spinal decompression as a category is gaining mainstream medical recognition, not as a study of our specific equipment.
What did the study find? Researchers reported approximately 90% of patients experienced meaningful improvement in pain and function after a course of non-surgical spinal decompression for cervical disc herniation, studied over more than two years.
Does non-surgical spinal decompression replace surgery? Not always. The research covered in this report frames non-surgical decompression as a less invasive option worth trying first — surgery is still sometimes necessary depending on the individual case. Dr. Karr's evaluation, including review of your MRI or X-rays, determines whether you're a candidate.
What is the DRX9000, and how does it compare? The DRX9000 is the FDA-cleared, non-surgical spinal decompression technology used at Los Angeles Spinal Decompression®, backed by its own 28 clinical studies, 20 peer-reviewed. It's a separate evidence base from the USF study referenced above, though both point in the same direction: non-surgical decompression is a validated, less invasive option for disc-related pain.
Is spinal decompression covered by insurance? Most PPO plans are accepted. Medicare does not cover spinal decompression. Call Betty at 310-914-9422 to verify your coverage before your first visit.
Individual results vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression candidacy is determined by clinical evaluation and review of diagnostic imaging.
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