Spinal Decompression in Seattle, WA
Trusted chiropractor in North Seattle for the treatment of spinal decompression.
A herniated disc happens when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, often pressing on a nearby nerve and causing pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates into the arms or legs. At Hanson Chiropractic & Massage Clinic in Northgate, Dr. Michael Hanson treats herniated discs with non-surgical spinal decompression and targeted chiropractic adjustments, drawing on more than 25 years of clinical experience and advanced training toward his Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Rehabilitation Board (DACRB). Patients rate the clinic 4.87 out of 5 on Zocdoc across 274 reviews. Call (206) 306-2494 to have your condition evaluated and find out whether non-surgical care is right for you.
Seek emergency care immediately, not a chiropractic appointment, if you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or sudden, progressive weakness in both legs. These are signs of cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious complication that requires emergency treatment.
Who Needs Herniated Disc Treatment?
You may have a herniated disc if you're experiencing sharp or radiating pain down an arm or leg, numbness or tingling that follows a specific nerve path, or muscle weakness in a hand or foot. Patients with a gradual onset of low back or neck pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or coughing often have an underlying disc issue. A herniated disc can develop suddenly from a lifting injury, work injury, or car accident, or gradually from years of repetitive stress and disc degeneration. Anyone with sciatica symptoms that haven't resolved with rest is also a reasonable candidate for evaluation.
Understanding Herniated Discs: Symptoms and Causes
Lumbar Herniated Disc
A herniated disc in the lower back commonly compresses the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates through the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes into the foot. Sitting for long periods often makes lumbar disc pain worse.
Cervical Herniated Disc
A herniated disc in the neck can send pain, numbness, or weakness down an arm, and is frequently linked to sudden trauma like a car accident or to years of poor posture at a desk.
Traumatic Onset
A sudden herniation can result from a fall, an awkward lifting motion, or the force of a collision, all of which can rupture a disc's outer layer without warning.
Degenerative Onset
Discs naturally lose water content and flexibility with age, making them more prone to herniation from everyday movements that wouldn't have caused an injury years earlier.
Non-Surgical Herniated Disc Treatment: Why It Matters
Most herniated discs respond to non-surgical care, and starting with the least invasive effective treatment reduces your risk, recovery time, and cost compared to jumping straight to surgery. Dr. Hanson's approach combines chiropractic adjustments with spinal decompression therapy, which gently stretches the spine to reduce pressure on the affected disc and take pressure off the compressed nerve. Decompression works by creating negative pressure within the disc, which can help draw herniated material back toward the center of the disc and improve the flow of nutrients and fluid that support healing. Chiropractic adjustments complement this by correcting joint misalignment in the surrounding spine, which often develops as the body compensates for pain and altered movement patterns. His three decades treating spinal conditions in Seattle and progress toward the DACRB credential reflect training specifically in rehabilitation, which is central to treating disc injuries correctly rather than just managing the pain they cause. Learn more about how spinal decompression works as the clinic's primary non-surgical treatment for disc-related pain.
How a Herniated Disc Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with a detailed history of your symptoms, including when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and whether numbness or weakness follows a specific pattern down an arm or leg. Dr. Hanson performs orthopedic tests that recreate nerve tension, such as raising a leg while you're lying down, to check whether that reproduces your radiating symptoms. Neurological testing checks reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation in the affected limb to gauge how much the nerve is involved. In most cases, this exam is enough to guide an initial course of non-surgical treatment. Imaging like an MRI becomes useful when symptoms are severe, aren't improving with conservative care, or when surgery is being considered, since it can confirm the exact location and severity of the herniation. Dr. Hanson will tell you directly if your case warrants imaging rather than ordering it as a routine step for every patient.
Who Is Involved in Your Care?
Dr. Hanson personally examines every herniated disc patient, reviewing your symptoms, performing orthopedic and neurological testing, and determining whether your case is appropriate for chiropractic and decompression care or needs referral elsewhere. For cases outside the scope of chiropractic treatment, the clinic refers patients to neurologists and physical medicine doctors as needed. Where soft tissue tension is contributing to your pain, the clinic's massage therapists coordinate with Dr. Hanson to address the surrounding muscle tension that often accompanies a disc injury.
What You Can Expect from Herniated Disc Treatment
Clinically, patients on a non-surgical treatment plan typically see gradual reductions in radiating pain, numbness, and muscle weakness as pressure on the affected nerve decreases. Practically, you get a specific exam to confirm whether decompression and adjustment are appropriate for your case, a treatment plan with a realistic sense of how many visits are typically needed, and clear criteria for when your case should be referred to a specialist instead. Dr. Hanson does not promise every herniated disc will resolve without further intervention, since severity varies significantly, but he sets expectations early so you understand what progress should look like at each stage.
When to See a Chiropractor vs. When to Seek Emergency Care
Persistent radiating pain, numbness following a nerve pattern, or weakness in a hand or foot that hasn't improved after a few days are reasonable signs to schedule an evaluation. Mild, localized soreness without radiating symptoms is often reasonable to monitor for a short period first. Go to the emergency room instead of scheduling a chiropractic visit if you experience loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or sudden weakness affecting both legs. These symptoms can indicate cauda equina syndrome, which requires emergency surgical evaluation and cannot wait for a routine appointment.
What Happens After You Call
Schedule Your Visit
Call (206) 306-2494 and the front desk finds the next available appointment and verifies your insurance benefits at no charge.
Consultation and Exam
Dr. Hanson reviews your symptoms and health history, then performs orthopedic and neurological testing to assess nerve involvement and determine whether your case is appropriate for non-surgical care.
Your Treatment Plan
If chiropractic and decompression care is appropriate, Dr. Hanson explains what he found and outlines a treatment plan, including how many visits are typically needed for a case like yours. If your case needs additional imaging or a specialist referral, he'll tell you that directly.
Ongoing Care and Progress Monitoring
Follow-up visits track how your symptoms are responding, with the treatment plan adjusted based on your progress rather than a fixed, one-size-fits-all schedule.
Benefits of Non-Surgical Herniated Disc Treatment
Reduced Nerve Pressure Without Surgery
Spinal decompression gently creates space around the affected disc, which can reduce pressure on the compressed nerve and ease radiating pain.
Lower Risk Than Surgical Intervention
Non-surgical care carries none of the recovery time, infection risk, or cost associated with spinal surgery, making it a reasonable first approach for most cases.
Addresses Pain and Underlying Mechanics Together
Combining decompression with chiropractic adjustments treats both the disc pressure and the joint misalignment that often accompanies it, rather than addressing one in isolation.
Clear Path to Referral When Needed
Dr. Hanson's exam identifies cases that need a specialist rather than continuing chiropractic care indefinitely, so you're not left guessing whether non-surgical treatment is working.
Key Takeaways
- Dr. Hanson treats herniated discs with spinal decompression and chiropractic adjustments, backed by 25+ years of experience and progress toward his DACRB certification.
- Most herniated discs respond to non-surgical care, which carries lower risk and cost than surgical intervention.
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, groin numbness, or sudden weakness in both legs require emergency care immediately, not a chiropractic appointment.
- The clinic refers patients to neurologists or physical medicine doctors when a case falls outside the scope of chiropractic treatment.
- Most major insurance plans are accepted, and the clinic verifies benefits before your first visit at no charge.
Proven Results and Patient Experience
Dr. Hanson has practiced chiropractic in Seattle for more than 25 years and holds Washington State Chiropractic License #CH00003630. One patient wrote, "I had a problem with my lower back and thighs and after a few sessions with Dr. Hanson these pains are completely gone." Another shared, "He's currently helping me work through a back injury from slipping on ice and the difference has been spectacular." Across 274 reviews on Zocdoc, the clinic holds a 4.87 out of 5 average rating, and Trustindex aggregates 310 reviews at 4.7 out of 5.
Common Questions About Herniated Disc Treatment in Seattle
Can a herniated disc heal naturally without surgery?
Many herniated discs improve over time with non-surgical care, since the body can reabsorb some of the herniated material and inflammation around the nerve can subside. Spinal decompression and chiropractic adjustments support this process by reducing pressure on the disc and surrounding nerve, though recovery time varies by case.
What exercises help with a herniated or slipped disc?
Gentle movements that avoid deep bending or twisting, along with core-strengthening exercises to support the spine, are generally recommended once acute pain has eased. Dr. Hanson provides specific exercises based on your exam findings rather than a generic list, since the wrong exercise for your specific herniation can worsen symptoms.
Is spinal decompression effective for treating a herniated disc?
Spinal decompression is one of the primary non-surgical treatments for herniated discs, gently stretching the spine to reduce pressure on the affected disc and take pressure off the compressed nerve. Results vary by patient and severity, which is why an exam determines whether decompression is appropriate for your specific case.
What's the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
A bulging disc extends beyond its normal boundary but the outer layer remains intact, while a herniated disc has a tear or rupture in the outer layer that allows inner material to push through. Both can cause similar symptoms, and Dr. Hanson's exam helps distinguish between them.
Do I need surgery for a herniated disc?
Most herniated discs do not require surgery and respond to non-surgical care like spinal decompression and chiropractic adjustments. Surgery is generally reserved for cases with significant nerve damage, progressive weakness, or symptoms that don't improve after a reasonable course of conservative treatment.
What are the emergency symptoms of a herniated disc?
Loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, and sudden, progressive weakness in both legs are signs of cauda equina syndrome and require immediate emergency care. These symptoms should never wait for a scheduled appointment.
Does insurance cover herniated disc treatment?
Most major insurance plans cover chiropractic treatment for herniated discs, and Hanson Chiropractic & Massage accepts Aetna, Cigna, Premera Blue Cross, Regence BlueShield, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, Kaiser Permanente, and other major providers. The clinic verifies your benefits before your first visit at no charge. See the insurance page for the full list.
How long does herniated disc recovery take with chiropractic care?
Recovery time depends on the severity of the herniation, how long symptoms have been present, and how your body responds to treatment. Dr. Hanson sets a realistic timeline after your exam rather than a fixed estimate, since disc injuries vary widely from patient to patient.
Can a chiropractor diagnose a herniated disc, or do I need an MRI first?
Dr. Hanson's orthopedic and neurological exam can identify signs consistent with a herniated disc and guide initial treatment, though imaging like an MRI is sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis or assess severity, particularly if symptoms are severe or not improving. He'll tell you directly if imaging is appropriate for your case.
Areas We Serve
Hanson Chiropractic & Massage Clinic is located in Northgate and serves patients throughout North Seattle, including Pinehurst, Victory Heights, Lake City, Maple Leaf, Licton Springs, Haller Lake, Bitter Lake, Greenwood, Broadview, and Blue Ridge, along with patients from Shoreline, Kenmore, Bothell, and Mountlake Terrace.
Schedule Your Herniated Disc Evaluation in Seattle
Getting an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward the right treatment, whether that's non-surgical care here or a referral elsewhere. Call (206) 306-2494 to schedule your exam, and staff will verify your insurance benefits at no charge before your visit. Most new patients are seen within the week.
