Manual Traction: A Non-Surgical Approach to Spinal Decompression
Manual traction is a hands-on chiropractic technique used to reduce pressure within the spine. Spinal compression is the underlying cause of many pain patterns we see, and it rarely develops overnight. Years of golfing at courses like TPC Scottsdale or Continental, repetitive strain from desk work, and the gradual changes that come with age can all compress the discs and narrow the space between vertebrae. Manual traction works by gently stretching the lumbar or cervical spine to restore that space and reduce force on the affected discs.
At Better Health Solutions, Dr. Khayami uses a “whole person approach,” meaning he looks for the source of your pain before recommending any treatment. Your care plan is built around what is actually driving the problem.
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Relief for Neck and Back Pain
Neck pain develops for different reasons: poor posture, a past injury, or the natural wear that builds up over time. In some cases, the soft disc material between vertebrae bulges outward and presses on nearby nerves, which can cause pain that radiates to the shoulders, arms, or lower back.
Manual traction addresses this by applying controlled, hands-on force to stretch the spine. It increases the space between vertebrae, reduces pressure on the affected discs and nerves, and can help lower inflammation and improve circulation in that area.
Precision Spinal Care at Indian School and Hayden
Neck pain and low back pain are the two most common complaints we see at our Scottsdale office. Much of the time, the source is the intervertebral discs. When the soft inner material of a disc (called the nucleus pulposus) pushes out through its tough outer layer (the annulus fibrosus), it puts direct pressure on nearby spinal nerves. That pressure causes localized pain, inflammation, and reduced movement.
To treat this, Dr. Khayami frequently uses Cox Flexion-Distraction, a well-researched manual traction method performed on a specialized table. With you positioned on the table, Dr. Khayami applies gentle, targeted contact to the affected spinal segment. As the table slowly flexes, it creates negative pressure inside the disc. This can help pull the bulging disc material back into place and improve nutrient flow to the affected area. This process is documented to widen the foraminal area of the spinal canal, the opening where spinal nerves exit, by up to 28%. That means more room for the compressed nerve. Cox Flexion-Distraction is particularly effective for sciatica and spinal stenosis.
An Alternative to Invasive Procedures and Long-Term Medication
Chronic pain can disrupt your daily life in serious ways. When it becomes constant, you may start looking at surgery or long-term medication for relief. Both can play a role in treatment, but they carry real risks: medication dependency and the extended downtime that spinal surgery often requires. For many people in Scottsdale, taking weeks off work for recovery is simply not an option.
Manual traction, specifically the Cox Technique, is a non-surgical approach that targets the mechanical source of your pain without those complications. If you are not a good candidate for surgery or want to avoid it, this can help restore function over time. We also use the Activator Methods technique, which delivers a gentle, low-force impulse to specific vertebrae through a handheld instrument. This is a good option when acute inflammation or conditions like osteoporosis make a traditional high-velocity adjustment inappropriate.
Help Get Joint Pain and Back Pain Relief from a Chiropractor Near You
If you live in the Scottsdale, AZ, area, and you’re looking for chiropractic care near you, our team at Better Health Solutions, LLC can help get the treatments you may need to get pain relief. Our chiropractor, Dr. Khayami, is here to help. We would love to welcome you to our office and develop an individualized treatment plan for your needs.
Call us for an appointment today, so our team can help you regain your maximum level of health. Call us at (480) 945-6900 to help get joint pain and back pain relief from a chiropractor near you.
Why Choose Better Health Solutions for Manual Traction in Scottsdale?
Manual traction is a technique where the provider’s skill directly affects your outcome. At Better Health Solutions, Dr. Abbas Khayami takes a structured, patient-specific approach to every case.
- Diagnosis Before Treatment: Before anything is recommended, Dr. Khayami conducts a full physical examination to identify the source of your pain. You leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a specific treatment plan.
- A Non-Invasive Alternative to Surgery and Medication: If you want to avoid the side effects of long-term medication or the recovery time surgery requires, manual traction gives you a non-invasive option. It directly addresses the structural cause of your pain.
- Your Care Plan Is Built Around You: Your treatment plan reflects your specific condition, daily routine, and health goals. Dr. Khayami does not use the same protocol for every case.
- Clear, Straightforward Communication: Dr. Khayami explains what he found and why he is recommending a specific approach. If manual traction is not the right fit for your situation, he will tell you that.
- Guidance You Can Use Between Visits: Dr. Khayami gives you specific guidance to apply between visits, based on your routine and activities. This keeps progress moving outside the office.
- Excellent Rating on Google: Better Health Solutions holds an excellent rating. Many of those reviews come from patients who visited other providers first and found clearer answers here.
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Targeted Back and Joint Pain Relief in Scottsdale
If you live in the Scottsdale area and want a chiropractor with deep experience in rehabilitative care, Dr. Abbas Khayami at Better Health Solutions has been in practice for over 17 years. His focus is on identifying the structural and muscular imbalances driving your pain, then building a care plan around that specific cause.
Your first visit includes a thorough exam to find the source of your discomfort. From there, your treatment may combine manual traction, specific chiropractic adjustments, electrostimulation, and rehabilitative stretches. Your goal may be getting back on the golf course, hiking Camelback Mountain, or simply getting through your workday without pain. That is what we are working toward.Â
Call (480) 945-6900 to schedule a consultation and find out if you are a candidate for manual traction.
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Visit Our Scottsdale Chiropractic Clinic
Better Health Solutions is located right on East Indian School Road. We’re easy to reach from all over the Scottsdale metro area.
Better Health Solutions LLC
8040 E Indian School Rd., Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 945-6900
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday:Â 8:30 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday:Â 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Sunday:Â Closed
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is manual traction, and how does it work?
Manual traction is a hands-on chiropractic technique in which the chiropractor applies controlled, steady force to stretch and decompress the spine. The goal is to create space between compressed vertebrae, which reduces pressure on the discs and nerves in that area. This can lower inflammation and improve blood flow to the affected part of the spine. Dr. Khayami applies and adjusts the force by hand throughout the session based on how your body responds.
What conditions can manual traction help treat?
Manual traction is used most often for neck pain, low back pain, disc bulges, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and general spinal compression. It can also be part of a care plan for pregnancy-related back pain, where gentle spinal decompression may relieve pressure without medication.
At Better Health Solutions in Scottsdale, Dr. Khayami will first review your condition to determine whether manual traction is appropriate for your situation.
Is manual traction painful?
Manual traction is a gentle technique. Most patients find it comfortable, and some notice a reduction in pressure or tension during the session itself. Dr. Khayami adjusts the force throughout based on your feedback, so you are not locked into a preset level of intensity.
How is manual traction different from other spinal decompression methods?
With manual traction, Dr. Khayami applies and adjusts the force by hand in real time. This gives him direct control over the direction and intensity of the stretch as the session progresses. Some other spinal decompression methods use mechanical tables or motorized devices that apply preset or automated force, which does not adapt the same way. Cox Flexion-Distraction, the technique Dr. Khayami uses most often, combines a specialized table with his hands to create a rhythmic, controlled decompression of the spine.
How many manual traction sessions will I need?
It depends on your condition, how long you have had symptoms, and how your body responds to treatment. After your initial examination, Dr. Khayami will provide you with a clear care plan and a realistic timeline. He does not recommend visits beyond what your condition requires.
Can manual traction replace surgery or pain medication?
For many patients, manual traction provides meaningful relief without surgery or medication. It is a non-invasive approach that sidesteps the side effects of long-term drug use and the downtime that surgery brings. The right option depends on your specific diagnosis. Dr. Khayami will give you an honest assessment at your consultation.
Does Better Health Solutions accept insurance for manual traction?
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, Humana, and Medicare, as well as auto accident, workers’ compensation, and personal injury cases. If your plan has limited or no chiropractic coverage, flexible payment options are available. Our staff will verify your benefits and walk you through what is covered before treatment begins, at no charge. Call (480) 945-6900 to confirm your plan.
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Ready to start feeling better? Reach out to Better Health Solutions today. Call us, fill out the form below, or just stop by. We’d love to help.
Hours
- Monday to Friday:
- 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
- Saturday:
- 8:30 am - 2:30 pm
- Sunday:
- Closed
Better Health Solutions
Address
8040 E Indian School Rd Suite 100, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 945-6900