Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is The Disc Doctor?

The Disc Doctor is a non-surgical spine and nerve clinic in Murfreesboro, Tennessee that specializes in evaluating and treating spinal disc injuries, pinched nerves, neuropathy, and joint-related pain using conservative, in-office therapies — without surgery or medication.

Q2. What makes The Disc Doctor different from traditional chiropractors?

Our care includes the most advanced holistic treatment options and technologies to get you results fast without drugs, injections, or invasive procedures. We focus exclusively on root-cause non-surgical spine and nerve care using spinal decompression, StemWave therapy, and ActivPro LaserStim — not general chiropractic adjustments alone.

Q3. Are your treatments non-surgical and drug-free?

Yes. Every therapy we offer at The Disc Doctor is non-surgical and drug-free. We do not prescribe medications or perform injections. Our protocols — including spinal decompression, StemWave, ActivPro LaserStim therapy, and spinal adjustments — are designed to address the structural and neurological causes of pain without surgical intervention or pharmaceutical dependency.

Q4. What conditions do you specialize in treating?

We commonly see patients with disc-related back or neck pain, sciatica, nerve pain, neuropathy symptoms, and joint pain. Every patient receives a detailed evaluation to determine whether our approach is appropriate for their specific condition.

Q5. Who is a good candidate for your care?

People looking for non-surgical options for back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, or joint pain may be good candidates. A consultation and exam help determine whether conservative care is a fit for your situation.

Q6. Who may NOT be a good candidate for your treatments?

Our treatments aren't right for everyone. You may not be a good candidate if you:

• Require urgent surgical intervention
• Are only looking for quick fixes like medications, injections, or creams to mask symptoms rather than address root causes
• Aren't willing to commit to a treatment plan — our protocols require consistency to achieve lasting results
• Have unrealistic expectations about timeline or outcomes

If we determine that another type of care would better serve your needs, we'll be upfront and point you in the right direction.

Q7. Do you help patients who were told they need surgery?

Yes. Many patients visit us to explore conservative options before moving forward with surgery. We review your history and exam findings to determine whether non-surgical care may be reasonable in your case. Most people are candidates and are able to avoid surgery — even some who were told surgery was their only option.

Q8. How long has The Disc Doctor been serving Murfreesboro, TN?

The Disc Doctor has been serving patients in Murfreesboro and across Rutherford County — including Smyrna, La Vergne, Christiana, and Eagleville — for over 8 years. Dr. Matthew T. Jacobs and Dr. Krysten A. Jacobs have treated over 1,000 patients during that time, earning 300+ five-star Google reviews from the Murfreesboro community.

Q1. Is the consultation really free?

Yes. We offer a complimentary consultation so you can meet with our team, discuss your concerns, and determine whether our approach is right for you — with no obligation to commit to a treatment plan.

Q2. What happens during my first visit?

Your first visit includes a review of your health history, a discussion of your symptoms, an assessment of your current condition and goals for care, and time for you to get all your questions answered. Additional testing or imaging may be recommended based on your findings.

Q3. How long does the first appointment take?

Most first visits are up to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of your symptoms and the number of questions you need answered.

Q4. What should I bring to my appointment?

Please bring a photo ID, any relevant medical records or imaging (X-rays, MRI reports), and a list of current medications if applicable.

Q5. Do I need a referral?

No referral is required to schedule a consultation or visit our clinic.

Q6. How soon can I be seen?

Availability varies, but many patients are able to schedule within a few days. Our team will help find the next available time that works for you.

Q7. Can I book online or do I need to call?

You can request a consultation online by clicking any "Request My Private Evaluation" button on our site, or call us directly at (615) 617-5550. We offer online scheduling in both English and Spanish.

Q1. Can you help with herniated or bulging discs?

Yes. We commonly work with patients experiencing disc-related back or neck pain. An exam helps determine whether non-surgical care — including spinal decompression — may be appropriate for your specific disc condition.

Q2. Do you treat sciatica and nerve pain?

Yes. Many patients come to us for sciatica or nerve-related symptoms. We evaluate whether conservative treatment options, including decompression and laser therapy, may help relieve the nerve pressure causing your pain.

Q3. Can you help with neuropathy in the feet or hands?

Yes. We work with patients experiencing neuropathy symptoms including burning, tingling, and numbness. Results vary by individual, and a thorough evaluation is needed to determine candidacy for treatment.

Q4. Do you treat chronic back and neck pain?

Yes. Chronic back and neck pain are among the most common reasons patients seek care at our clinic. Our root-cause approach is specifically designed for patients whose pain has persisted despite other treatments.

Q5. Can joint pain be treated without surgery?

Yes. In many cases, conservative non-surgical care is a viable option for joint pain. A consultation helps determine the right approach based on your specific condition and history.

Q1. How do you treat pain without surgery?

We use a combination of conservative, non-surgical therapies tailored to your condition, symptoms, and exam findings — including spinal decompression, StemWave therapy, ActivPro LaserStim therapy, and spinal adjustments.

Q2. What makes your approach different from physical therapy?

Physical therapy focuses primarily on strengthening and rehabilitation exercises — helpful, but often unable to address the underlying structural problems causing pain. We use advanced technologies including spinal decompression, StemWave therapy, and laser therapy to repair damaged tissue, decompress nerves, and restore proper spinal function. We fix the foundation first, then stabilize the results.

Most of our patients have already been through physical therapy without lasting relief — and come to us because they need treatments that address the root cause, not just symptom management through exercise.

Q3. Do your treatments address the root cause or just symptoms?

Our goal is to address the contributing factors to pain at their source — not simply mask symptoms — while recognizing that results vary by individual. Every treatment plan begins with a root-cause evaluation.

Q4. How do you decide which treatment is right for me?

Your treatment plan is based on your health history, exam findings, imaging, and your body's response to care. Not every patient receives the same approach — plans are fully personalized.

Q5. Can these treatments help if I've tried other options already?

Yes. Many patients come to us after trying other treatments — including physical therapy, injections, and chiropractic care — without lasting results. An evaluation helps determine whether our approach may still be appropriate for your condition.

Q6. Are your treatments safe?

Our treatments are conservative and non-surgical. As with any healthcare service, an evaluation is conducted to determine suitability and safety for your specific situation before any treatment begins.

Q7. How soon will I know if treatment is working?

Some patients notice changes within the first few visits, while others require more time. Progress is monitored consistently throughout your care by our physicians, and your plan is adjusted based on your response.

Q8. What kind of results can I realistically expect?

Results vary depending on the condition, severity, and individual factors. We focus on realistic expectations and measurable progress — and we are transparent with you throughout the process.

Q9. What happens if I don't respond to care?

If you do not respond as expected, we will discuss next steps and whether referral or additional evaluation is appropriate. Our goal is to get you better — not to continue a plan that isn't working.

Q10. Are there side effects to treatment?

The vast majority of patients tolerate our treatments very well with minimal to no side effects. Some patients may experience temporary mild soreness or fatigue as their body responds — similar to how you might feel after a workout. These effects typically resolve quickly. Serious side effects are extremely rare. We review your complete health history during your consultation and discuss any specific considerations before treatment begins.

Q11. Do you treat older adults and seniors?

Yes. We regularly work with older adults and tailor care based on individual needs, health history, and physical condition.

Q1. Do you accept insurance?

We focus on specialized treatments that most insurance plans don't cover. Many patients use HSA/FSA accounts or one of our flexible payment plans to make care accessible. We believe you shouldn't have to choose between effective treatment and affordability. During your consultation, we'll be completely transparent about costs and work with you to find a solution that fits your situation.

Q2. Do you offer self-pay options?

Yes. Self-pay options are available for patients without insurance coverage. Our team will walk you through all available options during your consultation.

Q3. Is treatment covered by Medicare?

Medicare typically does not cover the specialized treatments we offer — including spinal decompression, StemWave therapy, laser therapy, and neuropathy protocols — as these are considered elective or alternative treatments under Medicare guidelines. However, many of our Medicare patients choose to move forward because the treatments Medicare covers have not provided lasting relief. We keep pricing transparent and offer payment plans for those who qualify. All costs are discussed upfront before you commit to anything.

Q4. Do you offer payment plans?

In some cases, payment options may be available. Please ask our team for details during your consultation.

Q5. How many visits does treatment usually require?

Most patients begin with 2–3 visits per week during the initial intensive phase, typically the first 4–12 weeks. Frequency tapers down based on your progress. After your comprehensive evaluation, we create a personalized plan with clear expectations about visit frequency, total timeline, and cost — so you know exactly what to expect before committing. We monitor progress closely and adjust the plan if needed. Our goal is results, not just appointments.

"The Disc Doctor helped me avoid surgery. Their non-surgical approach to my herniated disc gave me my life back."

"After struggling with neuropathy for years, the treatments here finally brought feeling back to my feet."

"Dr. Jacobs is incredibly knowledgeable. The spinal decompression therapy relieved my sciatica pain completely."