FAQ - Spinal Decompression, DRX 9000C, Back Pain
- What causes low back pain?
- Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors from injuries to simple 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 presses on surrounding nerves causing pain or numbness.
- If I undergo DRX 9000C 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 DRX 9000C treatment?
- Sessions times are between 30-45 minutes daily for the first 2 weeks and 3 times per week for the following 2 weeks, although the number of sessions may vary depending upon the severity of the condition.
- What is the success rate of the DRX 9000C Treatment?
- Extensive clinical testing has proven the DRX 9000C to achieve an 86% success rate in treating herniated and degenerated disc with less than a 4% recurrence rate of your problem.
- Do I qualify for the DRX 9000C treament?
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Since I began using the DRX 9000C 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 the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria, so you may make the right decision, since not everyone qualifies for the DRX 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, although there have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a short period of time.
- What is the difference between the DRX 9000C and the VAX-D?
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The DRX is three generations past the initial VAX-D table developed years ago. Actually, the former North American distributor of VAX-D is the present manufacturer of DRX who had requested upgrades to the VAX-D unit but was refused, which explains why the VAX-D hasn’t changed in twenty years. So, he and other spinal decompression practitioners brainstormed the problems with VAX-D, and with the help of many engineers, the DRX 9000C unit was developed just two years ago.
The most obvious differences between the DRX 9000C and the VAX-D would be their success rate and the comfort levels while a patient is being treated. Below are some side by side comparisons.
DRX 9000C
- 86% Success Rate
- Patient lays on back (supine)
- Harnesses prevent any stress to the shoulders or arms
- The amount of decompression can be targeted to the specific disc level by varying the angle of traction
VAX-D
- 72% Success Rate
- Patient lies face down (prone), which can be very uncomfortable
- Required patients had to hold on with their hands causing severe shoulder/arm problems
- Nonspecific for disc levels with its straight-line traction
