Spinal Decompression Therapy at Aligned Medical Group
I believe that anyone with a herniated or degenerated disc should try Spinal Decompression first, before surgery.” – Robert Channey, M.D. Former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States
What is VAX-D?
Vax-D is a specialized treatment table used for spinal decompression therapy. The VAX-D table stretches the muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints of the back for patients complaining of low back pain. VAX-D works by stretching and relaxing the lower spine to relieve pressure on structures in the back that may be causing low back pain.
What Conditions May Benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy?
- Severe or chronic lower back pain
- Severe or chronic neck pain
- Pinched nerves
- Sciatica
- Degenerative Disc disease
- Herniated Discs
- Bulging Discs
- Protruded Discs
- Disc Tears
- Numbness
- Tingling or Burning pain
- Weakness of arms or legs
- Sharp, shooting pain
- Facet Syndrome
- Spinal Stenosis
- Failed back surgery
Frequently Asked Questions about Spinal Decompression Therapy
What are Discs?
Intervertebral discs are fibrocartilaginous shock absorbers found between each bone that makes up your spinal column. Think of a disc as a jelly donut, with an outer stronger layer that surrounds an inner squishy layer. With wear and tear, the outer layer may weaken. The weakened disc may then stick out from inner pressure into the spinal canal. This is termed a disc bulge, herniation or protrusion. The displaced disc may place pressure on spinal nerves, causing sciatica, among other conditions, and cause pain to shoot down your leg. A disc that flattens and dries out, or becomes degenerated, may create pressure-like pain across the lower back. Your spine relies on discs to provide cushion along with spacing between bones, so your nerves can function normally.
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy and How does it Work?
Decompression is FDA-cleared technology that relieves pain by slowly increasing the spacing between the vertebrae, creating a vacuum, or negative pressure, within the disc. In doing so, it provides or restores nutritive and/or lubricating fluids along with oxygen into dried, dehydrated, desiccated or damaged disc tissues to maintain or reestablish the health, structural shape and positional orientation of the disc. Spinal decompression, in essence, rehabilitates an injured disc. During the therapy, you are lying down and comfortably harnessed to the table while computer-guided controls slowly decrease your intradiscal pressure. The therapy is relaxing and most patients fall asleep during treatments.
Is it Safe?
Spinal decompression therapy is currently considered one of the safest and more effective procedures available today, especially when compared to medications and surgery.
How is Spinal Decompression Therapy Different from Traction Therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy is very sophisticated and there is a huge difference when compared to traction, when done correctly. Quality decompression systems continuously monitor spinal resistance and adjust distraction forces accordingly to create negative pressure in the discs. Specific parameters, angles of distraction, and amount of resistance are customized for each patient. Each of these parameters are monitored hundreds of times per second, making adjustments as many as 20 times per second via a fractional metering and monitoring system. Traction, on the other hand, stretches the spine but does not create negative intradiscal pressure. In fact, traction can increase discal pressure causing more pain and risking injury.
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy the same at all Medical Offices?
Like all therapeutic services, some are different from others. There are many spinal decompression therapy systems available today. The price of decompression tables range from about $7,000 to $100,000 for more advanced tables. Our Vax-D Generation 3 decompression system is one of the most sophisticated available, and most importantly, has proven to help our patients heal time and time again. The Vax-D has formal clinical trials proving its outcomes and many patents on its technology.
What are Some Conditions that Spinal Decompression Therapy Treats?
Decompression primarily treats disc conditions although many conditions benefit from healthier discs. Through reduced intradiscal pressure, it treats herniated, bulging, protruded, torn and degenerated spinal discs. Conditions which benefit include; stenosis, sciatica, radiculitis, radiculopathy, facet arthrosis, failed back surgery, pain, stiffness, and more.
How long is Each Visit and for How Long am I in Therapy?
You should plan to set aside 60 minutes for your treatments. The length of spinal decompression therapy depends on the severity and chronicity of your condition along with many individual contributing factors. Most of our patients are here for 8 weeks of care.
What are My Chances of Success with Spinal Decompression Therapy Treatments?
Your chances of success are very high because we only accept patients we truly believe we can help. We will be as specific as possible with you regarding your individual prognosis at your free consultation. Studies show the success rates averaging 70-86%.
Will I have to Come Back After my Program is Complete?
Not for most patients. Decompression heals your discs and maintaining your condition after treatment is dependent upon your lifestyle. When you finish your decompression program, healing is complete. In addition, we develop an easy to follow home exercise program for you to use after your therapy ends. For more severe cases, you may want to see us for supportive treatment every 1-2 months.
I had Surgery and it did not help. Can I Still do Spinal Decompression Therapy?
We may be able to treat you after surgery, depending upon the nature of the procedure performed and the use of hardware in your spine. As a matter of fact, patients diagnosed with “Failed Back Surgery” typically respond very well to non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. We will need to evaluate your post-surgical diagnostic studies and consult with your surgeon to best determine if we can accept you as a patient.
Read Our Featured Articles
What Does A Functional Nutritionist Do?
Nutritional science is important for each individual’s health and as our understanding of food and health advances, you may need help sorting through ever changing recommendations. There are many practitioners working in the nutrition field – how do you know which is...
Exploring Non-Surgical Treatment Options
Why Non-Surgical Treatment Options Matter When you develop arthritis, pain from pinched nerves, or any other kind of pain, little else matters except making it go away. Traditional medical practices can sometimes overlook the underlying causes of the pain and focus...
The Advantages of Medically Supervised Weight Loss
What Is Included In A Medically Supervised Weight Loss Plan? Unlike following the latest fad diet, a medically supervised weight loss plan is a program designed and monitored by qualified healthcare professionals. Working with a team of specialists, you’ll take a deep...
Office Hours
- Monday: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Friday: 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
*Call if you would like a time outside our normal hours, and we'll do our best to accommodate you*