Before You Schedule Back Surgery — Read This
West Los Angeles Chiropractic® has served patients in West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Culver City, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and the entire Westside since 1989. For over 35 years, Dr. Michael C. Karr — a UCLA graduate with advanced postgraduate training in radiology — has helped patients find lasting relief from back pain, sciatica, and disc injuries without drugs or surgery. One of the most powerful tools in our treatment approach is FDA-cleared, non-surgical spinal decompression using the DRX9000 — available right next door at our affiliated practice, Los Angeles Spinal Decompression®.
If you have been told that surgery is your only option for a herniated disc or chronic sciatica, we want you to know: for many patients, it isn't. Non-surgical spinal decompression has helped thousands of patients avoid surgery, reduce or eliminate pain medication, and return to the activities they love — work, exercise, travel, golf, family life.
What Is the DRX9000 and How Does It Work?
The DRX9000 is the gold standard in spinal decompression technology. It uses precise, computer-controlled traction to gently stretch the spine, creating negative pressure within injured intervertebral discs. This negative pressure serves two critical functions: it helps retract herniated disc material away from compressed nerves, and it promotes the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients into the disc to support natural healing.
The process is completely non-invasive. No anesthesia. No incisions. No recovery period. Patients lie comfortably on the DRX9000 table while the system applies alternating cycles of distraction and relaxation — a pattern specifically designed to prevent the muscle guarding response that limits the effectiveness of standard traction.
Common Conditions Treated With DRX9000 Spinal Decompression
Dr. Karr uses the DRX9000 at Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® to treat patients suffering from:
Herniated and bulging discs in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine — the most common structural cause of sciatica, arm pain, and chronic back pain.
Sciatica and sciatic nerve pain — characterized by shooting pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back through the buttocks and down one or both legs. Sciatica is almost always caused by compression of the sciatic nerve at the spinal level — and the DRX9000 addresses that compression directly.
Degenerative disc disease — the gradual thinning and dehydration of intervertebral discs that accompanies aging. Decompression therapy helps restore disc height and reduce the nerve compression that causes chronic pain and stiffness.
Pinched nerves (cervical and lumbar radiculopathy) — nerve compression that causes radiating pain, weakness, or sensory changes in the arms or legs.
Chronic neck and back pain — when conservative chiropractic care alone has not resolved the underlying structural issue, decompression therapy offers a deeper level of structural correction.
How West Los Angeles Chiropractic® and LA Spinal Decompression® Work Together
West Los Angeles Chiropractic® and Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® share the same building at 11340 W. Olympic Blvd. in West Los Angeles — Suite 165 and Suite 160, respectively. This means that as a patient of West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, you have seamless access to the DRX9000 and the full spectrum of spinal decompression care without leaving the building.
Dr. Karr coordinates care between both practices. A patient presenting with back pain at West Los Angeles Chiropractic® who has imaging consistent with a herniated disc can be evaluated for decompression candidacy the same day. Treatment plans often combine chiropractic adjustment, cold laser therapy, muscle stimulation, and MedX rehabilitation with DRX9000 sessions — addressing the full range of musculoskeletal and neurological components involved in disc injuries.
Who Is a Candidate for Spinal Decompression?
The best candidates for DRX9000 spinal decompression are patients with:
Confirmed disc herniation or bulging on MRI or CT imaging. Spinal decompression candidacy begins with imaging — Dr. Karr reviews your MRI personally to determine whether your specific disc levels and degree of herniation are appropriate for decompression therapy.
Sciatica or radicular pain that has not resolved with rest, medication, or conservative chiropractic care alone. When nerve compression is the primary driver of symptoms, decompression therapy offers a structural solution.
Degenerative disc disease with nerve involvement. While decompression cannot reverse advanced degeneration, it can reduce nerve compression and improve function significantly.
Fear of surgery or failed prior surgery. Many patients who have already had spinal surgery but continue to suffer are candidates for decompression therapy. Dr. Karr evaluates post-surgical cases individually.
Patients who are NOT candidates for decompression include those with spinal fractures, significant spinal instability, advanced osteoporosis, active cancer in the spine, or certain types of spinal hardware. Dr. Karr's radiological training allows him to identify contraindications accurately and quickly.
The Integrated Treatment Approach at West Los Angeles Chiropractic®
At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, we don't treat pain in isolation. We treat the person — their history, their imaging, their lifestyle, and their goals. For patients with disc injuries, our integrated approach typically includes:
In-office digital X-rays for immediate structural assessment on the day of your visit — no outside imaging center required.
Chiropractic adjustment to restore spinal alignment and joint mobility, reducing the mechanical stress on injured discs.
DRX9000 spinal decompression (at LA Spinal Decompression®, Suite 160) to address intradiscal pressure and nerve compression directly.
Cold laser therapy to reduce inflammation and accelerate soft tissue healing around the affected disc level.
MedX spinal rehabilitation to strengthen the stabilizing muscles of the spine, reducing the risk of re-injury.
Muscle stimulation and therapeutic massage to address the chronic muscle tension and guarding that accompanies disc injuries.
Nutritional and lifestyle guidance — Dr. Karr discusses posture, ergonomics, exercise modifications, and supplementation to support long-term spinal health.
Insurance, Financing, and First-Visit Offer
West Los Angeles Chiropractic® accepts Medicare, most PPO insurance plans (Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare), MedPay, Workers' Compensation, approved personal injury liens, CareCredit, and private pay. Our staff verifies your benefits before your first visit.
For patients who are new to our practice and want to explore whether spinal decompression is right for them, the first DRX9000 treatment at Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® is just $149 with an approved MRI report and doctor's evaluation.
For new chiropractic patients at West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, our $99 New Patient Special includes a comprehensive history and examination, digital X-rays if clinically indicated, and your first chiropractic treatment.
Serving West Los Angeles and the Entire Westside for Over 35 Years
West Los Angeles Chiropractic® is located at 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064 — ground floor, free parking, easy access from the 10 and 405 freeways. We serve patients from West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Westwood, Century City, Bel Air, Venice, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, Pacific Palisades, West Hollywood, Palms, Cheviot Hills, and Marina del Rey.
We Treat ALL SPINES of People® — from your first visit to your recovery and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spinal decompression covered by insurance? Coverage varies by plan. Our staff verifies benefits before your first appointment. We also accept MedPay, Workers' Comp, personal injury liens, and CareCredit.
Do I need an MRI before starting decompression therapy? An MRI is required for the $149 first-visit offer. Dr. Karr reviews your imaging personally to confirm your diagnosis and determine whether decompression is appropriate for your specific disc levels.
How long before I see results? Many patients report improvement within the first few sessions. The full treatment protocol varies based on severity of disc damage and individual response, which Dr. Karr outlines at your evaluation.
Can I receive chiropractic care and spinal decompression at the same time? Yes — and this is often the most effective approach. Dr. Karr coordinates care between West Los Angeles Chiropractic® and Los Angeles Spinal Decompression® to provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your condition.
What makes the DRX9000 different from regular traction? The DRX9000 uses a computer-controlled logarithmic decompression curve that prevents muscle guarding — the reflexive muscle contraction that limits the effectiveness of standard traction tables. This allows the DRX9000 to achieve true negative intradiscal pressure that generic traction cannot replicate.
Schedule Your Evaluation Today
Don't let a disc problem determine your future. Find out if non-surgical spinal decompression can help — before considering surgery.
📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400 🌐 WestLosAngelesChiropractic.com 📍 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (Ground floor · Free parking · Near the 10 & 405)
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Page last updated: June 2026





