Spinal Decompression in San Antonio, TX | Authority Chiropractic

Spinal Decompression in San Antonio, TX

Relief from Herniated Discs
and Sciatica. No Surgery.

Non-surgical, FDA-cleared spinal decompression for chronic back and neck pain, herniated and bulging discs, sciatica, and nerve pain — without surgery, injections, or forceful manipulation.

4.9 · 346+ Google Reviews

The Real Problem

Why your pain isn’t going away.

For most people in San Antonio dealing with chronic back or neck pain, the issue isn’t a muscle problem. It’s a pressure problem — pressure on the spinal discs and the nerves that run through them, often caused by a bulging or herniated disc that’s pinching the nerve.

That’s why the usual treatments often fall short. Massage, medication, even traditional chiropractic adjustments tend to address what’s on the surface — the soreness, the tension, the inflammation — without changing what’s actually causing it. The pressure stays. The pain comes back.

Spinal decompression takes a different approach. Instead of working around the disc, it gently and precisely relieves the pressure on the disc and nerve directly — creating space for the disc to retract, the nerve to recover, and the underlying cause of the pain to resolve.

What It Treats

Targeted relief for disc and nerve pain.

Decompression is most effective for the conditions where pressure on the spine and nerves is the underlying cause — the conditions where most other treatments come up short.

Herniated & Bulging Discs
When a disc bulges or ruptures, it puts direct pressure on the nerves around the spine — causing pain that can radiate, throb, or refuse to settle. Decompression creates the space for the disc to retract and the inflammation to resolve.
Sciatica & Nerve Pain
Shooting pain down the leg, numbness, or tingling that won’t go away — usually caused by nerve compression in the lower spine. Decompression targets the source by relieving pressure on the affected nerve root.
Chronic Back & Neck Pain
Pain that’s lasted months or years, often after physical therapy, medication, or chiropractic alone haven’t resolved it. When the cause is disc-related, decompression often succeeds where other approaches haven’t.

Is Decompression Right for You?

You’re likely a candidate if…

Spinal decompression isn’t for every kind of back pain — but for the conditions it’s designed to address, it’s often dramatically more effective than the usual options. Most candidates fit one or more of these:

  • You have a herniated, bulging, or degenerated disc
  • You have sciatica or pain radiating down a leg
  • You have chronic lower back or neck pain
  • You have numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
  • Physical therapy or injections haven’t resolved the pain
  • You’ve been told surgery may be your next step
See If You’re a Candidate Most evaluations are completed in a single visit.
Spinal decompression therapy at Authority Chiropractic in San Antonio

Why Authority

Two FDA-cleared decompression devices. Both under one roof.

Most decompression clinics in San Antonio treat one area — usually the lower back. Our system handles both. Back On Trac provides lumbar decompression for the lower back, sciatica, and leg pain. Paired with the Cervi-Trac attachment, the same system delivers cervical decompression for neck, upper back, and arm pain. Both are FDA-cleared, both are computer-controlled, and both are calibrated to your specific anatomy and condition.

Care is paired with on-site digital imaging and neurologically-based chiropractic to address the full picture — not just the disc, but the spine, the nerves, and the surrounding mechanics that contributed to the problem in the first place. The result is a more complete recovery, with attention focused on long-term correction rather than temporary relief.

About Our Approach

Get Started Today

Find out if decompression
can resolve your pain.

Schedule a decompression evaluation at Authority Chiropractic. We’ll review your imaging, assess your candidacy, and walk you through a treatment plan built around your condition.

Book My Evaluation No referral needed.

Real Results

What decompression patients
say about us.

Verified five-star Google reviews from real Authority Chiropractic patients who came in for decompression care.

Herniated Discs & Surgery Alternative

“I have had neck issues from old herniated discs for years. I came in with pain at an 11 and an inability to get out of bed. I’ve only been coming for a month and I’m feeling so much better — my range of motion and pain are amazingly improved. Thanks to my Drs for developing such a unique technique that actually works!”

Barbara Burgess-PageVerified Google Review
Decompression Patient

“It’s not the typical crack-your-back one-size-fits-all place. Here, it’s definitely one-on-one — they show you your scans and X-rays. It’s pinpoint therapy. The decompression chair is my favorite. My nervous system, for the first time in a long time, was out of fight or flight mode. This staff is legit, they know what they’re doing.”

Valerie PalomoVerified Google Review
Advanced Technology

“Compassionate, qualified and efficient doctor and staff. My condition has steadily improved. I am very grateful to have found a chiropractor who has worked patiently with me and has been able to greatly reduce my back/neck pain using advanced technology tools rather than extreme manipulation.”

Shannon WolfeVerified Google Review

What to Expect

Three steps to relieve back and neck pain.

Our doctors will assess your condition, determine if decompression is right for you, and tailor each session to your individual needs — for natural healing and lasting pain relief.

Comprehensive evaluation for spinal decompression at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
1
Comprehensive Evaluation
We begin with a detailed consultation, exam, and imaging when needed to understand exactly what’s causing your pain — and confirm that decompression is the right fit for your condition.
Customized decompression care plan at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
2
Customized Care Plan
Based on your evaluation, we create a personalized treatment plan combining decompression sessions with neurologically-based chiropractic when appropriate — designed around your timeline and goals.
Gentle spinal decompression session at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
3
Gentle Decompression Sessions
Sessions are comfortable and designed to gradually relieve pressure on your spine while supporting healing. Most patients describe the experience as relaxing — many fall asleep partway through.

Cost & Value

A real alternative to surgery — at a fraction of the cost.

Most San Antonio patients considering decompression have already spent money on options that didn’t resolve the underlying problem — physical therapy, injections, medications, imaging. And many are weighing the cost of surgery, which often runs into tens of thousands of dollars with weeks or months of recovery time.

Decompression at Authority is non-surgical, requires no recovery time, and addresses the actual cause of disc-related pain. We work with HSA and FSA accounts, accept most major credit cards, and offer payment plans for patients who need them. We’ll walk you through the full cost of treatment at your evaluation — no pressure, no hidden fees, no surprises.

If decompression isn’t the right fit for your condition, we’ll tell you that too. Honest evaluation comes first.

Spinal Decompression FAQs

Common questions about decompression.

Yes. Both the Back On Trac and Cervi-Trac systems we use are FDA-cleared for spinal decompression therapy. Sessions are gentle, computer-controlled, and calibrated to your specific anatomy and condition — no aggressive force, no manipulation, no risk of the kind of injury associated with spinal surgery. Most patients describe sessions as relaxing rather than uncomfortable, and many report feeling relief by the end of their first treatment. We’ll review your imaging and medical history before recommending care to make sure decompression is the right fit for you.
No. The traction is gradual, computer-controlled, and adjusted to a level your body is comfortable with — not a forced stretch. Most patients describe the sensation as a gentle pull or even a relieving feeling, since it’s actively reducing the pressure that’s been causing the pain. Many patients fall asleep during sessions. If at any point you feel discomfort, we adjust immediately — the system is designed to be precise and patient-led, not aggressive.
It depends on your condition, the severity, and how long you’ve been dealing with it. Some patients see meaningful improvement after 3–5 sessions; others with longer-standing or more severe disc issues may need a longer course of care. After your evaluation we’ll give you a clear recommendation, including how many sessions, over what timeframe, and what realistic improvement looks like. If your case isn’t a good fit for decompression, we’ll tell you that too — and recommend what would help instead.
Decompression sessions typically run 15–30 minutes depending on your treatment plan. If decompression is paired with chiropractic care, total visit time is usually 30–45 minutes. We schedule efficiently so you can fit treatment around your work or family schedule.
Coverage for spinal decompression varies significantly by carrier and plan. Some insurance plans cover a portion of the cost; many don’t. Our team will help you understand your specific options at your evaluation, and we work with HSA and FSA accounts and accept most major credit cards. For patients without coverage, we offer payment plans designed to make care manageable. The full cost — with no surprises — will be explained before you commit.
They’re complementary, not the same. Chiropractic adjustments correct alignment and improve nervous system function across the whole spine. Decompression is a specific therapy targeted at relieving pressure on a specific disc or nerve — usually in cases involving herniation, bulging, or chronic compression that won’t respond to adjustments alone. For many patients, the combination is more effective than either alone, which is why we offer both under one roof.
For many disc-related conditions, yes. Spinal decompression has helped patients avoid surgery by addressing the underlying pressure on the disc and nerve non-invasively. That said, decompression isn’t the right answer for every case — some severe injuries or specific structural issues genuinely require surgical intervention. We’ll review your imaging honestly during your evaluation and tell you whether we believe decompression has a real chance of resolving your condition before any treatment begins.

Meet the Team

World-class care. Genuine people.

A team that takes the time to evaluate your condition honestly — and recommends the right approach for you, not the most expensive one.

Dr. Thor Woerner, Founder and Chiropractor at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
Dr. Thor Woerner
Founder & Chiropractor
Dr. Bruce Coburn, Chiropractor at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
Dr. Bruce Coburn
Chiropractor
Aubrey Woerner, Care and Case Manager at Authority Chiropractic San Antonio
Aubrey Woerner
Care & Case Manager

Our Location

Conveniently located in North San Antonio.

Phone
(210) 343-5209
Address
434 N Loop 1604 W #2104
San Antonio, TX 78232
Office Hours
Monday
9AM–12PM & 3PM–6PM
Tuesday
12PM–3PM
Wednesday
9AM–12PM & 3PM–6PM
Thursday
9AM–12PM & 3PM–6PM
Fri–Sun
Closed
Get Directions

The first step is an honest evaluation.

Schedule yours at Authority Chiropractic in San Antonio and find out whether spinal decompression is the right fit for your condition — with no pressure and no surprises.

Book My Evaluation
Same day appointments available · (210) 343-5209