[longroadahead]

As far as insurance, I didn't have to do anything. The hospital (Southwestern Medical Center) in Dallas handled everything.

Spinal Decompression that I am talking about is a form of computer-controlled, intermittent motorized or hydraulic traction used as treatment for disc herniations, sciatica and low back pain.

The theory behind non-surgical spinal decompression is that significant distractive forces, when applied to the lumbar spine in variable directions can create a negative pressure in the center of the intervertebral disc, thereby creating a suctioning effect or vacuum phenomenon in order to retract or reduce the size of the herniated or bulging disc's gelatinous internal nucleus pulposus, thus diminishing or eliminating nerve compression, while at the same time creating an osmotic gradient which helps bring nutrients and water into the disc. Since intervertebral discs have poor circulation, they depend upon receiving their nutrition through diffusion across the end plates of the vertebrae above and below.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-sur..._decompression

Have an appointment on Tuesday (5/12) with Genesis Spine Associates. They will go over my MRI, etc. with me for no charge http://www.genesisspine.com/.