BACK AT IT with Dr. Decompression

Has a doctor ever told you spinal decompression doesn't work, won't last or could make your pain worse? In this episode of Back At It with Dr. Decompression, Dr. JD Dudum explains why many of those doctors are right. Most decompression isn't done properly. Drawing on more than 53,000 decompression treatments, Dr. Dudum breaks down the four biggest objections and covers why flexion-extension films that rule out spinal instability matter before treatment starts. You'll also hear the story of Robert. He was told he needed a cervical fusion, but his peer-reviewed case showed a 52% reduction of his disc extrusion on MRI 13 months later. He's now pain-free and never had surgery. Dr. Dudum shares the proven visit-by-visit plan, pre- and post-treatment MRIs from his three published research papers, and the 3-, 12- and 18-month follow-up imaging that tracks results over time. If you're dealing with a herniated or bulging disc, sciatica, or neck pain and want to avoid surgery, comment "HELP" and his team will point you to the right provider. Timestamps 0:00 Before and after: Robert's disc extrusion MRI 0:57 Myth #1: "It's gonna hurt" 2:10 Robert's story: told he needed a fusion, pain-free 13 months later 3:00 Myth #2: Too much pull, too fast 3:22 Myth #3: "Gravity undoes it" 4:33 Myth #4: "It's not long-term" 5:33 Recap: 4 biggest myths busted #SpinalDecompression #HerniatedDisc #BackPain #NeckPain #Sciatica #AvoidSurgery #BulgingDisc #Chiropractic #DrDecompression #BackAtItPodcast #DudumChiropractic #WalnutCreek #DiscHerniation #MRIResults #PainRelief

Can a herniated disc heal on its own—and what does waiting really mean for your daily life? In Episode 112 of Back At It with Dr. Decompression, Dr. JD Dudum explains spontaneous disc reduction, the differences between bulges, herniations, and extrusions, and why recovery can look different from person to person. JD also discusses a published patient case reporting a 30% reduction in herniation index following 18 days of spinal decompression treatment. He breaks down MRI terminology, explains how disc location and migration inform treatment planning, and shares three common assumptions to reconsider when managing a disc injury. Episode timestamps 00:00 — Can a herniated disc heal on its own? 00:54 — Spontaneous disc reduction and recovery timelines 02:02 — A patient's story: persistent pain and seeking treatment 02:46 — The reported MRI changes after 18 days 03:16 — Bulge, herniation, and extrusion explained 04:20 — Why disc migration matters for treatment 04:57 — Three common mistakes while waiting for relief #BackAtIt #DrDecompression #JDDudum #HerniatedDisc #SpinalDecompression #DiscHealth #BackPain #SpineHealth

Two Patients. Two MRI reports. Two completely different problems — so why would they get handed the exact same treatment plan? In this episode, Dr. JD Dudum breaks down what your report is actually telling you: the real difference between a disc bulge, herniation, protrusion, and extrusion, and why that difference changes everything about how you should treat it. You'll hear real patient stories along the way — like Jeff, whose 12mm protrusion reduced 46%, and Dan, whose massive 1.8cm extrusion shrank 78%, both without surgery. If you've got a report in your hands and you're not sure what the words on it actually mean for your pain, start here. 00:34 — Dr. JD's own story: the L5-S1 herniation that changed his life 01:09 — Breaking down the research: bulge vs. herniation vs. extrusion 01:29 — What a "normal" disc bulge actually means (and why it's not always a problem) 02:16 — Herniation vs. protrusion: Jeff's 12mm protrusion and his 46% reduction 04:15 — What is a disc extrusion? Dan's massive 1.8cm cranial extrusion 06:13 — Can extrusions actually shrink? The research says yes — 78% reduction, case study 07:28 — The word on your report you can't ignore: nerve displacement 08:09 — Canal vs. foraminal stenosis — what it really means for your pain 09:27 — Recap + Robert's case: 52% reduction in his neck 10:16 — How to get help: free guide, email, and next steps #SpinalDecompression #BackPainRelief #DiscHerniation #DiscBulge #DiscExtrusion #SciaticaRelief #AvoidSurgery #ChronicBackPain #NervePain #SpineHealth #NonSurgicalSpineCare #ChiropracticCare #WalnutCreekCA #DrDecompression #BackAtItWithDrDecompression

Rick couldn't even hold a cup of coffee without dropping it. Tremors in his thumb, numbness in his fingers, and a diagnosis that sounded like a life sentence: a disc extrusion pressing directly on his spinal cord. He was told he needed spinal fusion — and warned to stay far away from decompression. In this episode, Dr. J.D. Dudum breaks down exactly how Rick avoided that surgery — the evaluation that found the real problem, the specific protocol built to fix it, and the results that followed: 90% better in 3 months, a 52% reduction in the extrusion within a year, and a published peer-reviewed research paper to prove it. Today, Rick's 100% better — no more tremors, no more dropped coffee cups, just softball games with his kids. Listen to hear exactly how it happened. 0:00 – Rick's story: tremors, numbness, and a dropped cup of coffee 0:15 – What is a disc extrusion? (And how it's different from a bulge) 0:55 – Cervical myelopathy: why this case was so serious 1:20 – Told he needed spinal fusion — and to avoid decompression 2:45 – The flexion-based decompression strategy 3:15 – 3 months later: 90% better, 29% MRI reduction 3:50 – 1 year later: 52% reduction and a published research paper 4:50 – Struggling with a disc injury? Here's how to get help #DiscExtrusion #SpinalDecompression #CervicalMyelopathy #NoSurgery #BackPain #NeckPain #DiscRenewal #ChiropracticCare #NonSurgicalSpineCare #BackAtItWithDrDecompression #DrDudum #PainRelief

He was told surgery was his only option. Chiropractic, PT, two cortisone shots — nothing held. Six weeks out from spinal surgery, he found us instead. In this episode, Dr. JD Dudum breaks down exactly how his team identified a caudal disc extrusion at L4-L5, angled the DOC decompression table to target it specifically, and reduced the herniation by 40-50%—canceling the surgery before it ever happened. This isn't a generic "pull and pray" story. It's backed by pre- and post-MRI evidence, published peer-reviewed research, and over 53,000 treatments. 1:00 – Analyzing his disc extrusion, running specialized testing 1:50 – Cranial vs. caudal extrusion, and why direction changes everything 2:30 – How the DOC table's angle and oscillation target the disc 3:40 – Pre-MRI vs. post-MRI: nearly 50% reduction 4:45 – What this means if you're facing the same decision #SpinalDecompression #HerniatedDisc #DiscExtrusion #AvoidSurgery #SciaticaRelief #BackPainRelief #NonSurgicalSpineCare #DrJDDudum #DudumChiropractic #ChiropracticCare