Frequently Asked Questions About Non-Surgical, Drug Free Pain Relief

Looking for lasting relief from sciatica, neuropathy, neck or back pain without surgery or long-term medication? These are the questions patients ask most often before they schedule a visit at Olympic Spine and Sound Pain Solutions.

If you do not see your question, call (425) 375-7845 or request a complimentary consultation. We will tell you honestly whether we think we can help.

Getting Started

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Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. Your first visit is a complimentary consultation with the doctor. We review your history, current symptoms, and perform a screening exam to decide whether you are a likely candidate for our procedures. The consultation does not include X-rays, detailed testing, or treatment. If you are a candidate, we will explain recommended next steps, expected time frame, and cost before you decide anything.

What should I bring to my first visit?

Bring a list of current medications, any recent imaging reports (MRI, CT, or X-ray) if you have them, and a short written timeline of your symptoms. Wear clothing you can move in. If another doctor is managing a related condition such as diabetes or heart disease, bring that contact information so we can coordinate when needed.

Where are you located and what cities do you serve?

We are at 6603 220th Street SW, Suite 102, Mountlake Terrace, Washington. Patients commonly travel from Edmonds, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Bothell, Mill Creek, South Everett, Broadview, Northgate, and North Seattle. Complimentary on-site parking is available.

How do I schedule?

Call (425) 375-7845 or use the appointment request form on our website. Same-week consultations are often available.

Who we help

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What conditions do you treat?

We focus on non-surgical, drug-free care for sciatica, herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, chronic neck and back pain, peripheral neuropathy, and chronic joint pain. Care is customized. Most patients receive a combination of therapies rather than a single procedure.

Who is a good candidate for care?

A good candidate typically has persistent nerve, disc, joint, or soft-tissue pain that has not resolved with rest, medication, standard physical therapy, or injections — and wants to avoid surgery if a conservative option is still reasonable. Candidacy is determined after consultation and, when appropriate, examination and imaging review. Not every patient is a candidate. If we do not believe we can help, we will say so and point you toward a more appropriate next step.

Can you treat peripheral neuropathy?

Yes. Peripheral neuropathy — including diabetic and idiopathic neuropathy — is one of the conditions we see most often. Treatment is directed at reducing pain, improving sensation and balance when possible, and supporting nerve and circulation health with therapies such as bioelectrical therapy, laser, infrared light, nutrition support, and rehabilitation. Results vary. Neuropathy caused by uncontrolled metabolic disease, or certain systemic illnesses may have more limited potential.

Do you treat patients who have already had spine surgery?

Often, yes — especially patients with ongoing pain after laminectomy, discectomy, or fusion who still have disc, joint, or nerve irritation that can be addressed conservatively. Prior surgery changes the exam and the treatment plan. We review imaging and surgical history carefully before recommending care. Some post-surgical situations are not appropriate for decompression or certain manual procedures.

What conditions do you not treat?

We do not treat emergency conditions such as sudden bowel or bladder loss, progressive paralysis, active infection, unstable fracture, or suspected spinal tumor. Those require urgent medical or surgical evaluation. We also do not replace primary medical management of cancer, acute stroke, or uncontrolled systemic disease. Additionally, we do not provide pain management with medications. If your presentation is outside our scope, we will refer you.

Treatments

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How does non-surgical spinal decompression work?

Non-surgical decompression uses a computerized table to gently lengthen the spine in a controlled way. The goal is to reduce pressure on discs and nerves, improve local circulation, and create a better environment for a bulging or herniated disc to heal. Sessions are typically pain free and comfortable. Decompression is often combined with laser, manual therapy, and rehabilitation so the spine is not only unloaded but also restabilized.

Is spinal decompression the same as traction?

No. Basic traction pulls with a relatively constant force. Decompression systems used in our office modulate force and angle based on the level being treated and the patient’s response. That difference matters for comfort and for creating negative pressure in the disc to reduce nerve compression/inflammation.

What is non-invasive laser therapy and what does it feel like?

Class II / Low Level laser delivers light energy into soft tissue to reduce inflammation and support cellular repair. Unlike thermal lasers, no undesirable heat is generated. Sessions are short. Laser is commonly used for disc-related pain, joint inflammation, and nerve irritation, and it pairs well with decompression and manual therapy.

What is Trigenics and how is it different from regular chiropractic or physical therapy?

Trigenics is a neuromuscular treatment that retrains how the nervous system controls muscle tone, strength, and coordination. It is not the same as an adjustment or a typical PT stretching session. We use it when muscle imbalance, guarded movement, or poor motor control keep pain and dysfunction in place.

What is functional neurology and why does it matter for pain?

Functional neurology looks at how the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves control movement, balance, and pain processing. Clinic director Mark Shelley, DC, DACNB, is a board-certified chiropractic neurologist and the only one in the Edmonds area. That training is useful when symptoms involve balance change, nerve pain, coordination loss, or pain that has not responded to conventional treatment.

Do you use PRP or regenerative treatments?

Yes, concentrated cell therapies such as PRP and stem cells are available in our integrated setting when they are an appropriate part of a larger plan. They are not a first step for every patient. If they may help your specific joint or soft-tissue problem, we will explain why, what the process involves, and how they fit with the physical medicine side of care.

Do I have to stop seeing my primary-care doctor or specialist?

No. We routinely coordinate with primary-care physicians, neurologists, endocrinologists, and surgeons. Conservative care works best when your whole team knows the plan.

Results, time, and what to expect

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How soon will I feel better?

Some patients notice change within the first one to two weeks. Others, especially those with long-standing neuropathy or multi-level disc problems, improve more gradually over several weeks. We measure progress against your specific goals — walking, sleeping, working, getting on the floor with grandchildren — not just a pain score.

How many visits does care usually take?

Relief care for many chronic spine or nerve problems is often scheduled two visits per week for the first several weeks, then taper as symptoms resolve and you build strength. A common pattern discussed on our site is several visits per week during the relief phase, then fewer during rehabilitation. Your actual plan depends on the condition, imaging, and how you respond. We outline frequency and duration at the report of findings before treatment begins.

What happens after I feel better?

Feeling better is not the same as being stable. Once pain is down, we shift toward posture, strength, endurance, and home strategies so the result lasts. Some patients choose periodic wellness or supportive visits. That is optional and discussed openly.

What if I have already tried chiropractic, PT, massage, or injections?

Most of our patients have. The difference usually is providing the combination of therapies at the same time, the diagnostic detail, and the ability to treat nerve, disc, joint, and motor-control problems in one office instead of sending you out for each piece separately.

Safety

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Is non-surgical spinal decompression safe?

For appropriately selected patients, yes. It is non-invasive and does not require anesthesia. It is not appropriate for everyone — including some patients with certain fractures, malignancy, or unstable joints. Screening exists for that reason.

Is comprehensive care safe after a fusion or with stenosis?

It can be, when the treatments and pressure are matched to the person. Stenosis and fusion change which procedures are used and which are avoided. We do not use a one-size-fits-all treatment approach. Imaging and examination findings guide those decisions.

How does this compare with surgery or long-term medication?

Surgery is sometimes necessary, especially when nerves are compressed by bone in a way that cannot be unloaded conservatively, or when there is progressive neurologic loss. Many patients come to us specifically to exhaust reasonable non-surgical options first. We do not promise that every patient can avoid surgery. We do aim to give you a clear, conservative plan and an honest assessment of what it can and cannot do. We also work to reduce reliance on long-term pain medication when the underlying mechanics can be improved.

Cost, insurance, and time

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Do you take insurance or Medicare?

Coverage varies by plan and by procedure. Some evaluation and therapy services may be billable; many of the specialized therapies patients seek here are not covered. We will discuss benefits and your expected out-of-pocket cost before you begin a treatment plan. Bring your insurance card to the consultation so we can help you understand what applies to you.

What does care typically cost?

Cost depends on which therapies you need and for how long. As a reference point, a detailed examination and testing typically ranges from $200 to $400. Comprehensive care for complex conditions often falls in the range of $4,000 to $8,000 out of pocket. You will receive a written plan with frequency and fees at the report of findings so there are no surprises. Our assessment protocol ensures that a patient in our office would not spend thousands of dollars if their treatment wasn’t working. Response to treatment must be demonstrated in the first three visits, if it is not their treatment would either be changed or they would be discharged from care.

Why isn’t everything covered by insurance?

Insurance often pays for what is usual and customary, not always for the combination of technologies that produce the best result for a complex nerve or disc problem. We choose treatments based on what is most likely to help you, then show you the cost. That is a different starting question than “what will the plan pay?”

Do you offer payment options?

Yes. We routinely make payment arrangements for patients who want to spread the cost over time. Ask at the consultation.

How long is a typical visit?

A consultation is usually unhurried so the doctor can hear the full history. Treatment visits vary with the mix of therapies that day, commonly in the 30- to 90-minute range once your plan is established.

Practical details

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What are your hours?

Typical hours are Monday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We are closed Saturday and Sunday. Confirm current hours when you book; they can change for holidays.

Is there parking?

Yes. Free on-site parking is available at the clinic.

Can I continue exercising, skiing, or riding while I’m in care?

Often yes, with modifications. Many of our patients are active adults who want to return to hiking, cycling, skiing, gym training, or work that keeps them on their feet. We will tell you what to pause, what to modify, and what to keep doing so you do not undo the day’s treatment.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is required to schedule a consultation. If your insurance plan requires a referral for any billed service, we will help you sort that out.

Still have a question?

Call (425) 375-7845 or request a complimentary consultation. We serve Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Shoreline, Bothell, and the greater North Seattle area.

Olympic Spine & Sports Therapy — find relief without surgery or long-term medication.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

Find out if you are a candidate. Call (425) 375-7845.

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