If you’ve been living with back pain for a while, you’ve probably already tried some version of rest, ibuprofen, and hoping it goes away on its own. When that stops working — or when the pain starts interfering with sleep, work, or just getting through a normal day — the next question is usually: what are my actual options before considering surgery?
The good news is there are several. The harder part is knowing which ones make sense for your specific situation, because back pain is rarely one-size-fits-all.
Here’s a plain-language look at the non-surgical care options available at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center in Denton, and what they’re each designed to do.
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Before talking about any treatment, it’s worth saying this: the right care starts with understanding what’s actually going on in your spine.
At this clinic, every new patient goes through a thorough exam that includes orthopedic and neurological testing, range-of-motion assessment, and X-rays when appropriate. Dr. Baugher (most patients just call him Dr. B) takes the time to explain what he finds in plain language — his words: “put the hay down where the goats can get it.” You’ll know what’s going on before anyone suggests a treatment plan.
If something shows up that’s outside the scope of what this clinic handles, he’ll tell you and point you in the right direction. That’s not a common thing to say in healthcare, but it’s how they’ve operated since 1998.
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Spinal decompression is a non-surgical, computerized traction therapy — meaning it gently stretches the spine in a controlled, precise way to take pressure off compressed discs and nerves.
It’s designed for conditions like:
The basic idea is that when a disc is compressed or damaged, creating negative pressure through controlled traction may help retract bulging disc material and draw in nutrients that support healing. Patients lie on a specialized table, and the computer-guided system does the work — there’s no twisting, cracking, or aggressive movement involved.
For qualifying conditions, this can be a meaningful alternative to exploring surgical options. It’s not a quick fix, and it isn’t appropriate for every diagnosis — which is exactly why the exam matters first.
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Chiropractic care is probably the most familiar name on this list, but it’s often misunderstood. An adjustment isn’t just “popping your back.” It’s a specific, controlled movement applied to a spinal joint that has lost proper motion or alignment — called a subluxation.
Restoring that motion may help reduce muscle tension, decrease nerve irritation, and improve how the spine moves overall. At this clinic, adjustments are part of a larger treatment plan, not a standalone visit-by-visit service. The goal is measurable progress, not indefinite maintenance for its own sake.
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Shockwave therapy is a new technology that uses acoustic pressure waves — essentially sound energy — to stimulate healing in soft tissue. It’s particularly useful for chronic musculoskeletal pain that hasn’t responded well to other approaches: things like tendon issues, scar tissue buildup, or stubborn muscle trigger points that contribute to back pain.
The treatment is done in-office, typically takes less than 15 minutes per area, and requires no downtime. It’s one of the more modern additions to the clinic’s toolkit and can be incorporated into a broader treatment plan when appropriate.
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Cold laser therapy (also called low-level laser therapy, or LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate tissue and support cellular repair. It’s designed to reduce inflammation and promote healing at the tissue level — without heat, without cutting, and without discomfort.
For back pain involving disc inflammation, nerve irritation, or soft tissue injury, it may be used alongside other therapies to support recovery. Patients don’t feel much during the treatment itself, but the effects are intended to build over a course of sessions.
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One thing worth understanding about this clinic: these aren’t a menu of things you pick from. Dr. B builds a personalized treatment plan based on your exam findings. The combination of therapies, the frequency, and the sequencing all depend on what’s actually driving your pain.
Someone coming in from Flower Mound with a herniated disc and leg numbness is going to have a different plan than someone from Corinth dealing with chronic lower back stiffness and muscle tension. Same clinic, same doctor — different plans.
The clinic is cash-based, which means care isn’t filtered through insurance authorizations. They can provide a superbill if you want to submit for potential reimbursement through your provider, but the focus is on delivering the care you actually need without a third party managing the timeline.
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Non-surgical options work well for many causes of back pain, but not all. Some conditions do require surgical intervention, and Dr. B won’t suggest otherwise. If your imaging or exam findings indicate something that needs a surgical consult, you’ll hear that clearly — and get a referral.
If you’re in Denton, Highland Village, Argyle, or anywhere nearby and you’re weighing your options before agreeing to surgery, a conversation is a reasonable place to start.
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How do I know if spinal decompression is right for my back pain? The best way is through a proper exam. Spinal decompression may be appropriate for herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and certain nerve compression conditions — but only after a thorough assessment. Dr. B will walk you through what your findings mean and whether decompression fits your specific situation.
Do I need a referral to be seen at The Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Center? No referral is needed. You can call or request a consultation directly. The clinic will conduct its own intake and exam to determine what’s going on and whether they’re the right fit for your care.
What if I’ve already tried chiropractic care and it didn’t help? That’s actually a common starting point for patients here. This clinic uses a combination of therapies — not just adjustments — and the treatment plan is based on your specific exam findings. What didn’t work in a previous setting may not reflect what a more targeted, multi-modal approach could do. It’s worth having the conversation.
