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What Gresham Residents Should Know About Spinal Decompression Therapy for Sciatica

A medical professional holding a model of the human spine, pointing with a pen at its sections, while wearing scrubs and a stethoscope.

Sciatica pain can be debilitating, often making it difficult to enjoy daily activities. The discomfort usually radiates from the lower back down to one or both legs, causing sharp pain, tingling, and numbness. If you’re dealing with sciatica, spinal decompression therapy may offer a natural, non-invasive solution to relieve your symptoms and promote healing. 

At Aspire Chiropractic in Gresham, OR, we use spinal decompression therapy to help patients recover from sciatica pain without the need for surgery or medications.

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to alleviate pressure on the spine and spinal discs. During the procedure, a motorized table gently stretches the spine, which helps to create space between the vertebrae and relieve pressure on the discs and nerves, including the sciatic nerve. This process can improve circulation, reduce nerve compression, and promote the healing of damaged tissues.

While spinal decompression therapy is often used to treat conditions like herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, it’s especially effective for treating sciatica, which is commonly caused by a compressed nerve in the lower back.

How Spinal Decompression Therapy Helps Relieve Sciatica Pain

Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down each leg, is irritated or compressed. This compression can be caused by a herniated disc, misaligned vertebrae, or degenerative disc disease. Spinal decompression therapy addresses the root causes of sciatica by targeting the affected discs and nerves.

Reducing Pressure on the Sciatic Nerve

Spinal decompression therapy works by creating negative pressure in the spinal discs, which helps to reposition the vertebrae and discs. This process can relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve, allowing it to heal and reducing the associated pain, numbness, and tingling. By decompressing the spine, spinal decompression therapy can provide long-term relief from sciatica pain without the need for surgery.

Promoting Disc Healing

In addition to relieving pressure on the nerves, spinal decompression therapy also promotes healing in damaged discs. By creating space between the vertebrae, the therapy allows nutrients and oxygen to flow into the discs, encouraging the natural healing process. This can be especially helpful for patients with herniated or bulging discs that are causing sciatica pain.

Improving Mobility and Flexibility

Sciatica pain often results in stiffness and limited mobility. Spinal decompression therapy can help improve flexibility and mobility by relieving pressure on the spine and increasing circulation to the affected areas. This can make it easier to perform daily activities and improve your overall quality of life.

The Benefits of Spinal Decompression Therapy for Gresham Residents

If you’re living in Gresham, OR, and suffering from sciatica pain, spinal decompression therapy offers a range of benefits, including:

  • Non-surgical treatment: Spinal decompression therapy is a non-invasive procedure, meaning there’s no need for surgery or long recovery times.

  • Drug-free relief: Unlike pain medications, spinal decompression therapy addresses the root cause of sciatica pain without relying on drugs or potential side effects.

  • Long-term relief: By targeting the source of sciatica pain, spinal decompression therapy can provide lasting relief, reducing the risk of future flare-ups.

  • Customizable treatment: Each spinal decompression session is tailored to meet the needs of individual patients, ensuring a personalized approach to pain relief.

What to Expect During Spinal Decompression Therapy

At Aspire Chiropractic, we customize each treatment plan to meet the needs of our Gresham patients. During spinal decompression therapy, you will lie on a motorized table, and the therapist will use gentle, controlled movements to stretch and relax your spine. Most patients experience a comfortable, relaxing session with little to no discomfort.

The length and frequency of your sessions will depend on the severity of your condition and your individual needs. In many cases, spinal decompression therapy is combined with chiropractic adjustments to further enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

When Should You Consider Spinal Decompression Therapy for Sciatica?

If you’re suffering from sciatica pain that doesn’t improve with rest or traditional treatments like pain relievers and physical therapy, spinal decompression therapy may be a suitable option. It’s particularly helpful for individuals who have:

  • Herniated or bulging discs pressing on the sciatic nerve.

  • Degenerative disc disease that leads to disc wear and nerve compression.

  • Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal.

  • Chronic sciatica that persists despite other treatments.

How to Get Started with Spinal Decompression Therapy in Gresham, OR

If you’re ready to explore the benefits of spinal decompression therapy for sciatica relief, Aspire Chiropractic is here to help. We provide personalized care and a comprehensive approach to pain management that includes spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, and other therapies.

Take the first step toward lasting pain relief by scheduling a consultation with us. Our team will evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment options for your unique needs.

Reach out today to schedule your appointment and start your journey to pain-free living.

Dr. Annmarie King

Dr. King has been helping patients improve their health and mobility through chiropractic care since graduating from University of Western States in 2009. With more than 13 years of experience, she is dedicated to providing advanced spinal correction using safe, comfortable, and effective techniques tailored to each patient’s needs.

As a Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. King combines years of training with a patient-centered approach to care. She specializes in chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression, helping patients find relief from pain, restore movement, and support long-term spinal health.

Dr. King earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from University of Western States and also holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Management and Nutrition from Oregon State University. She is licensed through the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and the Oregon Health Authority.

Dr. King utilizes a variety of proven chiropractic techniques, including Diversified Technique, Drop Table Adjustments, Cox Flexion-Distraction Technique, and Activator Method. These modern methods allow her to deliver precise spinal corrections that are safer, more comfortable, and more effective than ever before.

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Dr. Mark Betsill

Dr. Mark Betsill is a dedicated chiropractor serving patients in Gresham with more than a decade of experience helping individuals move better, feel better, and return to the activities they enjoy most. He earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Education and Health from Boise State University, where his interest in health and human performance first began to take shape.

After experiencing firsthand how chiropractic care helped him recover from an upper back injury that was affecting his golf game, Dr. Betsill discovered the path he wanted to pursue. He went on to attend Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2007.

Dr. Betsill focuses on helping patients recover from neck and back pain, sports injuries, postural stress, auto accident injuries, and workplace-related conditions. He uses gentle, effective techniques including manual adjustments, the Activator Method, and drop-table adjustments to address spinal misalignment and extremity dysfunction. He also has a special clinical interest in neck and lower back disc herniations, often combining chiropractic adjustments with computerized mechanical traction to improve pain relief, mobility, and function.

While many patients first visit because of pain, Dr. Betsill is passionate about helping them move beyond symptom relief. His goal is to help people improve functional movement, maintain spinal health, and support long-term wellness. He treats patients of all ages—including infants, children, teens, athletes, and pregnant women—and believes chiropractic care can play an important role in addressing not only spinal concerns, but also shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot discomfort.

Shortly before graduating in 2007, Dr. Betsill faced a personal health challenge that deeply shaped his philosophy of care. After multiple emergency room visits for dizziness, syncope, and chest pain, he began looking beyond symptoms alone. Through that experience, he came to better understand the effects of physical, chemical, and emotional stress on the body. By combining chiropractic care, massage, exercise, and proper nutrition, he restored his own health—an experience that continues to influence the way he cares for patients today.

Originally from northern Nevada and southern Idaho, Dr. Betsill grew up playing sports, with golf becoming a lifelong favorite. He also enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. Today, he and his wife and two sons enjoy life in the Pacific Northwest. When he’s not in the office, you’ll often find him on the course with the men’s club at Gresham Golf Course or staying active and fit with his family.