What each path really involves — so you can choose with open eyes.
| Criteria | Our approachNon-surgical decompression | Pain medication | Steroid injections | Surgery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Relieves pressure on the disc and nerve at the source | Masks the pain signal | Reduces inflammation temporarily | Removes or fuses the disc |
| Invasiveness | None — fully non-invasive | None, but systemic side effects | Needle-based procedure | Major surgery |
| Downtime | None — drive yourself home | None | 1–2 days typical | Weeks to months of recovery |
| Typical course | A defined visit plan over several weeks | Ongoing, often indefinite | Repeated rounds, capped per year | One procedure + rehabilitation |
| Addresses the cause? | Yes — targets the mechanical problem | No | No — symptom relief only | Yes, by removing tissue |
Honest closer: surgery has a real place. Severe or progressive cases belong with a surgeon, and when an evaluation points that way, we say so and refer you.