Frequently
Asked Questions
What
Causes low back pain?
If
I undergo spinal decompression treatment, how long does it take
to see results?
How long does it take to complete treatment?
Do
I qualify for Spinal Decompression Treatment?
Are there any side effects to the treatment?
What
exactly is decompression therapy?
How
is that different than traction?
What
are the benefits of Spinal Decompression ?
Does
Spinal Decompression hurt? I'm already in pain and don't want
it to hurt worse.
How
long is each treatment?
How
many treatments will I need? How many before I feel better?
Why
do I hear so much about decompression these days?
Is
there a difference between decompression machines?
When
should decompression therapy not be used?
What
are your success rates in your office?
Why
should I come to see you?
But
my MD recommends I have surgery and he didn't know much about
decompression therapy.
How
do I find out if you can help me?
What
happens when I first come to your office?
What
causes low back pain?
Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors from injuries
to the effects of aging.The spinal cord is protected by the vertebrae,
which are made of bone. Between each vertebra are soft discs with
a ligamentous outer layer. These discs function as shock absorbers
to protect the vertebra and the spinal cord. Many of the problems
that cause back pain are the result of herniation and degeneration
of the intervertebral disc. Degeneration is a process where wear
and tear causes deterioration of the disc. Herniations, or bulging
of the disc are protrusions from the disc that press on surrounding
nerves, causing pain or numbness.
If
I undergo spinal decompression treatment, how long does it take
to see results?
Most patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions.
Typically, significant improvement is obtained by the second week
of treatment.
How
long does it take to complete treatment?
Sessions times are between 30-45 minutes, daily for the first
2 weeks and 3 times per week for the following 2 weeks. Though,
the number of sessions may vary depending upon the severity of
the condition.
Do
I qualify for Spinal Decompression treament?
Since I began using Spinal Decompression spinal disc decompression
unit, I’ve been inundated with questions from both doctors
and patients as to which cases it will best help. Obviously proper
patient selection is essential to favorable outcomes, so let me
explain to you of the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so you
may make the right decision since not everyone qualifies for Spinal
Decompression treatment.
Inclusion
Criteria:
- Pain
due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than
four weeks old
-
Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than
six months old.
- Persistent
pain from degenerated disc not responding to four weeks of
therapy.
- Patients
available for four weeks of treatment protocol.
- Patient
at least 18 years of age.
Exclusion
Criteria:
- Appliances
such as pedicle screws and rods
- Pregnancy
- Prior
lumbar fusion less than six months old
- Metastatic
cancer
- Severe
osteoporosis
- Spondylolisthesis
(unstable)
- Compression
fracture of lumbar spine below L-1 (recent).
- Pars
defect
- Pathologic
aortic aneurysm.
- Pelvic
or abdominal cancer
- Disc
space infections
- Severe
peripheral neuropathy
- Hemiplegia,
paraplegia, or cognitive dysfunction.
Are
there any side effects to the treatment?
Most patients do not experience any side effects. Though, there
have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a short period of
time.
What
exactly is decompression therapy?
Decompression therapy is a comprehensive program designed to relieve
certain spinal dysfunctions. The patient is placed on a special
computerized table specifically designed to separate and distract
spinal bones.
How
is that different than traction?
Traction tables exert a constant pull or load on a patient's spine.
This constant pull or force on someone, especially a patient in
pain, has been shown to cause even more muscle spasm and actually
prevent any separation in spinal bones (Journal Neurosurgery 1994;
Rheumatology Journal 1986).
What
are the benefits of Spinal Decompression ?
a. Once the spinal joints are sufficiently separated, this can
decrease the pressure on the disc itself and create a vacuum effect
whereby any disc bulges/herniations can be reduced or reversed.
b. Separating the spinal bones can improve the fluid/blood/nutrient
supply to the disc and the bones connected to the disc, which
may help repair old, dried out, arthritic, and degenerative discs.
c. Improved alignment, articulation, and joint mobility.
d. Stretching and strengthening of spinal ligaments.
e. Widening of vertebral foramina, which are the holes in the
spine where nerves exit the spinal column. This increased space
can take pressure off of spinal nerve roots thereby reducing pain
and discomfort.
f. Stretching of spinal muscles can significantly reduce painful
muscle spasms. It is also possible that this stretch can increase
blood supply to soft tissues of the back and increase drainage
of toxins.
g. FEELING BETTER!!
Does
Spinal Decompression hurt? I'm already in pain and don't want
it to hurt worse.
One of the many benefits of Spinal Decompression is it is the
most comfortable decompression table available. Most often my
patients fall asleep during their treatment or watch television.
How
long is each treatment?
Treatment times may vary depending on the individual. Actual treatment
time on Spinal Decompression is between 15-28 minutes. Total visit
time, including other procedures done on each visit, is about
45 minutes.
How
many treatments will I need? How many before I feel better?
Most people range from 15-30 sessions. Most people feel some relief
after just a few visits. But again, everyone is different and
results vary depending on their particular circumstances.
Why
do I hear so much about decompression these days?
Because it works! Low back pain and disc problems are epidemic
in our society…$50 billion (that's with a "B")
dollars are spent each year in this country on low back conditions…low
back pain is the leading cause of disability for people under
45 years of age! When a technology exists that can help with these
conditions and improvement can be made without the use of harmful
drugs and invasive surgeries…people want it!
Is
there a difference between decompression machines?
Absolutely! Decompression tables have been around since the early
1980's. In the last 20+ years, huge advancements have been made
in decompression technology. Just think how far computers have
come in 20 years…the same is true for the advancements in
decompression technology. However, most so-called decompression
tables on the market today are nothing more than fancy traction
tables (and remember simple traction has been proven to have very
little therapeutic benefit)…these are generic tables with
simple ropes and chains attached. These tables are very unimpressive
and simply do not attain the results that most patients desire.
Conversely, Spinal Decompression uses the most current, patented,
proprietary technology available making it the most comfortable,
effective, and sophisticated decompression table on the market…it
has 3 different computer systems…and is it ever impressive!
If you qualify for decompression therapy, Spinal Decompression
should be your first choice!
When
should decompression therapy not be used?
When a patient has meningitis, spinal or pelvic cancer, rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoporosis, aortic aneurysm, hiatal hernias, recent
spinal or pelvic fracture, pregnancy, cardiac or respiratory insufficiency,
decompression anxiety, cauda equina syndrome (loss of bowel and
bladder control, inability to control one or both feet) or metal
hardware from previous surgeries.
What
are your success rates in your office?
My patients have enjoyed wonderful results with my DRX program.
My success with patients and their satisfaction with my program
have been better than the research findings above.
Why
should I come to see you?
I think one of the most important things for people considering
decompression to realize is that although this technology is amazing
and wonderful, it still is just a tool. As such, when I examine
and screen a patient, I do not view them as just a "low back"
patient or just a "disc" patient. You must look at the
body as a whole and determine why these problems are occurring
in the first place. I look to correct the underlying dysfunction
and most importantly, bring the whole body back into balance.
This will ensure that not only are we treating the patient's current
problem (herniated, bulging discs, degenerative discs, sciatica,
facet syndromes, etc.), but also we are treating the biomechanical
instability that may predispose a person to problems in the first
place.
We are the only office in the entire country that combines an
amazing, hands-on, brain-body balancing process…a process
that instantaneously reduces even the most severe pain…I
combine that hands-on treatment with the most state-of-the art,
modern Spinal Decompression technology (Spinal Decompression )
which is proven excellent effective with many different types
of low back conditions.
Additionally, specific exercises are given based on your exact
biomechanical deficiencies …and we cannot forget about nutrition…which
is often the most overlooked part of the healing process…did
you know there are certain types of foods that will chemically
irritate the disc and cause pain and inflammation? If you didn't,
don't feel bad, most health practioners do not address this area
with their patients.
My program…is an all encompassing, complete program that
handles all facets that could possibly effect your low back pain,
disc herniations, disc arthritis, disc degeneration, sciatica
and overall body health…without the use of harmful, addictive
drugs or invasive, costly surgeries…has helped relieve the
suffering and restore the health of literally thousands of people
over the past ten+ years in practice and there is a very good
chance it may help you to!
But
my MD recommends I have surgery and he didn't know much about
decompression therapy.
You may need surgery. But doesn't it make sense to explore all
your options…especially options that are holistic, non-invasive,
and proven effective with most people. Most patients I encounter
want to save surgery as their absolute last option.
Some patients, especially ones who have been suffering for a long
time, have this notion that they just want to get fixed…they
just want to end their pain…so even though they really don't
want to get cut open, they have had enough and just are going
to have surgery and put all this aggravation behind them.
Unfortunately, this type of desperation thinking usually leads
to more pain and suffering. Now, don't misunderstand…for
the percentage of people that have to have surgery and do not
qualify for other types of treatments…surgery can help and
can make a difference…and those patients should have surgery.
However, research shows back surgery can be a risky proposition…in
fact, did you know that there even is an insurance diagnosis code
for failed back surgeries? It's called Failed Back Surgery Syndrome…and
you can bet surgeries are failing quite often if there is a code
for it! And exactly what do they mean when they say back surgery
was successful? Successful surgery, to the medical community,
means the patient has had up to a 50% reduction in pain for at
least 6 months…but now, get this, if the patient has a complete
relapse at 6 months and a day…the surgery is still consider
a success statistically!! Be very careful when considering surgery!
Here is something else to think about when contemplating surgery…a
government funded study found that out of every 100 back operations
only 1 is absolutely necessary…1!!…Only 1!! And that
is from an objective research project…these researchers were
not trying to prove natural, holistic, chiropractic, or decompression
therapy was better than surgery…they simply were trying to
find the percentage of back surgeries that were absolutely, medically
necessary…only 1?! These are the facts and they cannot be
overlooked.
And this is my opinion why back surgery fails so often or at least
leaves the patient with less than desirable results…because
often times when a patient has surgery, the surgery was not indicated
in the first place or should not have been performed until all
other natural, holistic alternatives were tried first!!
And by the way, we are still able to treat many of the patients
who have had back surgery and their surgery failed…as you
can imagine these are tougher cases requiring more time and work
but nevertheless we can sometimes still help these people. One
research study indicated decompression therapy was helpful 68%
of the time in patients who had Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.
How
do I find out if you can help me?
Simply call my office at 203-775-5003 to set up a free consultation.
Please be aware that appointment times for Spinal Decompression
fill up quickly so don't wait to call. Once your appointment is
scheduled, outside of obvious emergencies, please make all efforts
to keep this appointment.
Also, directions are located on our web site…please make
sure you know our office location and remember to leave extra
time just in case of traffic :-)…this will prevent any backlog
for our DRX appointments. Please bring any MRI reports or any
other additional information you have from previous doctor visits.
What
happens when I first come to your office?
On your first visit I will review your health history, previous
diagnostic findings, perform an exam, and if necessary take x-rays.
The findings from your consultation, exam, and x-rays will help
me determine if you qualify for my program or if you need to be
referred out to another type of practioners. No treatment is given
on this first visit…this is simply the time to gather information
and determine who qualifies for care.
On your second visit all findings are reported to the patient
and the patient is informed if they qualify for care. If so, finances
and visit scheduling are taken care of and time and space permitting…the
first treatment is given!