In
the past, a patient suffering from disc problems usually
was given pain medications, instructed to refrain from physical
activities, referred for physical therapy, and when they
weren’t progressing they were sent for spinal surgery.
Conservative chiropractic care proved very helpful in many
cases, yet there have been some cases when surgery seemed
to be the only other option… until now.
Today,
you don’t have to live with that pain anymore. Thanks
to the concerted efforts of a team of top physicians and
medical engineers, Spinal Decompression was developed to effectively
treat lower back pain and sciatica resulting from herniated
or deteriorated discs. Spinal Decompression not only significantly
reduces back pain in many patients, but also enables the
majority of patients to return to more active lifestyles.
Does
Spinal Decompression really work?
Spinal Decompression has been proven effective in relieving the pain
associated with bulging and herniated discs, degenerative
disc disease, sciatica, and even relapse or failed back
surgery. Since its release, clinical studies have
revealed an amazing success rate in treating lumbar disc
related problems with Spinal Decompression. Click
Here for 3D Animations!
How
does it work?
Spinal
Decompression uses state of the art technology to apply
a distraction force to relieve nerve compression often associated
with low back pain and sciatica.
THE
MAÑÉ METHOD
We
begin with a highly specialized examination in order to
determine if you are a candidate and if so what is the appropriate
combination of the most effective non-surgical treatments
available today for back pain sufferers. Our Programs
include cutting edge technology such as HIGH
POWER LASER THERAPY, TRUE NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION,
AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE/VESTIBULAR REHABILITATION AS WELL AS
KINETIC CHAIN EVALUATION in order to restore your life
back to normal. Traditional physical therapy of modalities
such as muscle stimulation, ultrasound, massage therapy,
and spinal manipulation are also used on occasion. The programs
are specific and individual to you. Periodic re-evaluations
are performed to maintain flexibility and adapt to any unique
situations which may arise. We pinpoint the exact cause
of your pain and design a program specific to your individual
needs. Included in your examination is a detailed review
of your imaging studies (MRI.) However, we treat patients
not pictures. Our experience has found that many times patients
have not responded to previous treatments due to previous
doctors treating them strictly off of the MRI.
For example, many times patients will have a herniated disc
at L5 and disc bulge at L4. The previous treatment has been
directed toward L5. The patient hasn't responded and doesn't
understand why.
However detailed examination including the use of Algometer
(pain meter) finds that the patient's symptoms are coming
from L4. Yes, we have some high tech treatments to use against
your pain but all that doesn't matter if we are not treating
the injured area. The technology is great but the doctor
must have the experience and knowledge to properly apply
it.
What is the difference between spinal decompression with
the DRX9000 and other traction tables calling themselves
decompression tables?
One
of the first questions prospective patients and other Doctors
ask is - What is the difference between the DRX-9000 "True
Spinal Decompression" and traction?
There
are actually many differences despite the fact that the
general purpose of taking pressure off of the spine is the
same. Basically, standard traction has never been proven
with research to be as effective as the DRX9000 because
it has no specific control mechanisms and generally just
applies a very simple force to the spine.
(It
is actually quite a compliment to the DRX9000 that most
standard traction table treatment, calling themselves decompression
tables, providers quote research done on the DRX9000
to show that spinal decompression is an effective treatment.
This is because there is only limited research available
utilizing standard traction tables.)
The
main difference between the two tables above is that the
treatment is carefully controlled by a computer to ensure
both safety and highly specialized treatment. Traction applies
a basic force to the entire lumbar spine without any specificity
whereas the DRX-9000 has been proven to reduce intra-discal
pressure at a single disc level. This makes it much
more effective than standard traction. Standard traction
is unable to effectively target a single disc level.
The
most significant difference between standard traction tables
and the DRX-9000 is that standard traction has no continual
feedback mechanism which can adjust the weight being applied
to the spine during treatment to ensure safety and to prevent
the lumbar paraspinal muscles from tightening. The DRX-9000
reads the amount of pressure being applied to the
spine 13 times per second and adjusts if it detects
a change in pressure. This is done using special servo motors.
These servo motors alone cost as much as entire non-DRX
standard traction tables.
The
DRX-9000 also uses a slow logorythmic ramp up mechanism
to slowly increase the weight to the pressure recommended
by the patients' Doctor. Studies have shown that pulling
on the spine even a few milliseconds too fast with standard
traction devices can
cause a stretch reflex to be set off in the back muscles
which sends a signal to the brain and back to the paraspinal
muscles to tighten up resulting in pain and an actual increase
in intra-discal pressure. This is virtually eliminated with
the DRX-9000 ensuring that every time the DRX goes through
a cycle it achieves a repeatable drop in intra-discal pressure.
During
each cycle, the DRX-9000 computerized Spinal Decompression
system slowly raises the pressure from zero to the therapeutic
amount of force prescribed by the Doctor and then holds
this pressure for one minute and slowly releases for another
30 seconds. The outcome is a measurable drop in intradiscal
pressure of negative 100 - 200mmHg which is responsible
for the vacuum like effect that retracts the herniated disc
material back in, away from the pain producing nerve roots,
relieving leg pain as well as local low back pain without
producing muscle tightness or spasms. Research has shown
that most traction tables are only able to produce a negative
pressure of (-30 to -50mmHg).
The
cycling effect of the DRX-9000 decompressing the disc and
holding for 1 minute followed by 30 seconds of rest also
creates a pump-like effect within the disc causing nutrients,
blood flow and oxygen to be introduced into the disc area
which speeds healing of the disc and surrounding soft tissue.
Before
and after MRI studies show retraction of the disc bulge
or herniation as well as actual healing and repair of the
disc.
Another
significant difference is that Spinal Decompression using
the DRX-9000 is very
comfortable for most patients and many patients undergoing
standard traction report pain and muscle spasms. Most
patients rest comfortably during treatment and many even
fall asleep. While undergoing spinal disc decompression
treatment, the patient can listen to soft music or watch
a relaxing DVD.
Many
patients that have been treated with both DRX and standard
traction have reported improved results and more comfort
with DRX treatment.
The
Evolution of Our Protocol
We
started with the true non-surgical decompression and really
had tremendous results. Patients who were told they needed
surgery were able to avoid the surgery with the decompression
treatments. But there were more difficult cases with severe
spinal degeneration and spinal stenosis that were resistant
to the treatment. We added HPLT (high power laser therapy)
which improved our ability to handle the stubborn cases
successfully. We made sure to institute core strengthening
in order to make a lasting change. We still found that some
patients had flare ups or some return of symptoms after
treatments and pursued kinetic chain mechanisms as well
as vestibulospinal and proprioceptive rehabilitation in
order to make a meaningful and lasting correction to the
patients’ condition. Today our program is very successful
even with the most difficult cases.
How
do I get started?
Contact our office at 813-935-4744 to schedule an initial
consultation with our Doctor to determine if you are a candidate
for care with Spinal Decompression. After carefully studying
your case history and exam findings, We will sit down and
explain his recommended plan of action for you. After answering
any questions you may have about the recommended plan, you
may begin your care with Spinal Decompression.
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