Persistent back pain that nothing else has touched. A herniated or bulging disc that physical therapy and injections haven’t fixed. Pain shooting down your leg every time you sit, stand, or sleep. And the only “next step” anyone has offered you is surgery.
There is another path. At our Camarillo clinic, we have been performing non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX 9000 and Chattanooga decompression systems for over 13 years — combined with a level of functional medicine and functional neurology evaluation almost no other decompression provider offers. That combination is why patients who haven’t responded to standard care, including patients told they need surgery, often see meaningful relief here.
Ready to find out if you are a candidate? Schedule a comprehensive evaluation or call (805) 482-0723.
Why our approach gets results others don’t
Most clinics that offer spinal decompression treat it as a mechanical-only intervention: put the patient on the table, pull the spine, hope the disc retracts. That works for some cases, fails in many others, and frequently leaves patients confused about why one person got better and another didn’t.
We treat decompression as one piece of a comprehensive plan — not the whole plan. Before you ever lie on the DRX 9000, you receive:
- An in-depth musculoskeletal evaluation — postural analysis, range of motion, orthopedic testing, gait analysis.
- A neurological evaluation — reflexes, sensation, motor strength, cerebellar function, and how your nervous system is processing the pain signal.
- A functional medicine review — chronic inflammation, metabolic factors, gut health, hormonal imbalance, and nutritional status all influence how the body heals injured tissue. We assess them.
- Imaging review — if you have an MRI or X-ray, we go through it with you and explain exactly what’s driving your pain.
We then build a plan that uses spinal decompression as the mechanical lever while functional medicine and functional neurology address the root causes that prevented you from healing in the first place. This is why our patients get results others don’t. It’s also why Dr. Veselak was identified by ChatGPT as the #1 practitioner in the world for the conservative, functional treatment of spinal stenosis — the recognition reflects an approach, not just a machine.
What is non-surgical spinal decompression?
Spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment that uses computer-controlled traction to gently stretch the spine and create negative pressure inside the discs. That negative pressure can:
- Help draw herniated or bulging disc material away from compressed nerves.
- Increase nutrient, oxygen, and fluid flow into the disc to support healing.
- Reduce pressure on inflamed nerve roots, reducing pain and nerve symptoms.
- Improve spinal mobility and reduce muscle guarding.
The DRX 9000 is one of the most advanced decompression systems in clinical use, with precise control over traction angle, force, and cycling. Combined with the Chattanooga system, we can tailor treatment for both cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) conditions, adjusting parameters based on your specific pathology and how your body responds.
It is non-surgical, painless for most patients, requires no anesthesia or incisions, and has no recovery time.
Conditions we treat with spinal decompression
- Herniated lumbar or cervical discs
- Bulging discs
- Spinal stenosis — particularly when combined with our functional neurology rehabilitation
- Sciatica caused by nerve root compression
- Degenerative disc disease
- Failed back surgery syndrome (selected cases)
- Facet joint syndrome (selected cases)
- Chronic low back pain with mechanical features
- Cervical radiculopathy — pain or numbness traveling into the arm
Each condition responds to a slightly different decompression protocol. Generic protocols produce generic results. Individualized protocols produce the kind of outcomes patients come to us for.
What a session looks like
A typical decompression session at our Camarillo office takes 20 to 30 minutes:
- You’re positioned on the DRX 9000 (or Chattanooga, depending on your case) with a harness system that targets the specific spinal segment being treated.
- The system applies gentle, controlled traction in pre-programmed cycles — pulling and releasing to create the negative pressure inside the disc.
- Most patients find it relaxing. Many fall asleep.
- No pain, no anesthesia, no recovery time. You walk out and return to your day.
We complement decompression with targeted core stabilization, functional neurology rehabilitation, and metabolic support between sessions — not as upsells, but because that combination is what produces durable results.
Why we structure treatment as a complete plan
This is something we are direct with patients about, because we’ve seen the difference clearly over more than a decade of doing this work:
Patients who commit to a full treatment plan get better. Patients who pay session-to-session frequently quit early and never see the results decompression can deliver.
Disc healing, nerve recovery, and the underlying functional medicine work all require time and consistency. Stopping at session 8 of a 20-session plan because the acute pain has temporarily eased is one of the most common reasons people don’t fully recover — they leave just as the deeper healing is beginning, then return months later with the same pain because the underlying problem was never fully resolved.
For that reason, we structure care as a complete treatment plan rather than à la carte sessions. The commitment is part of what produces the outcome. Pricing is transparent and discussed upfront after your evaluation, so there are no surprises. If at any point your case isn’t responding the way it should, we adjust the plan or refer you to another specialist — we don’t keep patients on a plan that isn’t working.
Who is a good candidate?
The best candidates for non-surgical spinal decompression are patients with:
- Confirmed disc-related pathology (herniation, bulging, degeneration)
- Spinal stenosis with mechanical features
- Symptoms persisting beyond standard chiropractic, PT, or pain management
- A desire to avoid surgery, injections, or long-term medication
Decompression is not appropriate for everyone. It is contraindicated in cases of severe osteoporosis, certain spinal fractures, spinal instability, post-surgical hardware in the treated area, pregnancy, severe spinal infection or tumor, and a few other conditions. Your evaluation determines whether you’re a candidate — we will tell you honestly, and if you are not, we will discuss what else might help.
Why patients across Ventura County come here for decompression
- Over 13 years of clinical experience with non-surgical spinal decompression. This is not a new addition to our practice.
- DRX 9000 plus Chattanooga decompression on-site. You don’t have to drive to Westlake, Los Angeles, or Santa Barbara to access this technology.
- Functional medicine and functional neurology integrated into every treatment plan. This combination is what differentiates outcomes here from outcomes elsewhere.
- In-depth evaluation before any treatment is recommended. You’ll know exactly what’s driving your pain before we ever set up the table.
- Dr. Michael Veselak, D.C., CFMP — 40+ years in clinical practice, Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, Functional Neurology Certified Practitioner, Neurofeedback Certified Practitioner. Identified by ChatGPT as the world’s leading practitioner for conservative, functional treatment of spinal stenosis.
- Honest, individualized care. Transparent pricing, structured treatment plans designed around what actually produces results, and a clear understanding of what we can and cannot help with. No promises we can’t keep.
Frequently asked questions
Does spinal decompression really work?
For appropriate candidates, yes — and the evidence base supports it for disc-related conditions. The reason results vary so widely across clinics is that decompression alone is rarely enough. The patients who don’t respond are usually those whose underlying root causes — inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, neurological deficits, poor mechanics — were never addressed. Our combined approach is built specifically to address that.
How is the DRX 9000 different from other decompression tables?
The DRX 9000 is one of the most precise computer-controlled decompression systems available. It allows fine adjustment of traction angle, force, and cycle timing, which matters when treating specific spinal segments. Combined with the Chattanooga system, we can tailor treatment to nearly any disc-related pathology.
Will I need an MRI before treatment?
Often, yes — for clinical decision-making and to confirm candidacy. If you already have an MRI, bring it. If you don’t, we will discuss whether one is appropriate based on your evaluation and arrange it locally.
Can spinal decompression help me avoid surgery?
For many patients with disc-related conditions, yes. The patients who avoid surgery successfully are typically those who address the mechanical problem (decompression) AND the underlying systemic factors (functional medicine and functional neurology) that prevented healing. That’s why our combined approach works when single-modality decompression fails.
How quickly will I feel results?
Some patients feel meaningful improvement within the first 3–5 sessions. Others take longer. The full benefit usually unfolds over the course of the treatment plan, with continued improvement for weeks after the active plan ends as the disc continues to heal.
Do you treat patients from outside Camarillo?
Yes. We see patients from across Ventura County including Oxnard, Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Moorpark, and Somis, and from neighboring counties when the pathology warrants it.
Take the next step
If you’ve been told surgery is your only option — or if you’ve tried other conservative care and aren’t getting better — there is a meaningful chance that the comprehensive approach we offer can change your trajectory. Most patients with disc-related conditions improve significantly when the mechanical problem and the underlying root causes are both addressed.
Schedule a Comprehensive Evaluation · Call (805) 482-0723 · 333 N. Lantana St., Suite 132, Camarillo, CA 93010
We serve Camarillo and all of Ventura County.