Archive for Non-Surgical
Patient Discusses Experience With Non-Surgical Decompression In Our Clinic
I’ve written quite a bit about decompression and spinal problems for my professional point of view. I thought it might be prudent to let you hear from patient’s who once suffered serious problems… maybe just like those of you reading:
“I have been a chronic pain sufferer for well over eighteen years and although over the years I learned to cope with the pain and a reduced quality of life, within recent years my condition had become progressively worse. Due to limitations to my activities and an increased pain level, coupled with my reluctance to explore a surgical solution, I began a search for a non-surgical procedure with the hope of relieving my now very severe condition. My search led me to Dr. Podell at the Waterfront Institute for Spine and Joint Rehabilitation. I had an initial consultation early in 2009 and although I was very impressed with what I learned about spinal decompression from Dr. Podell, I still procrastinated and did not begin treatment until 6 months later.”
“MRI imaging technology confirmed that I had three herniated discs in the lumbar region of my back, with one of the disc being dehydrated. At the time the pain was excruciating. It was difficult to walk and it was especially painful to sit. Recreational activities and common chores around the house were out of the question. My pain level at the time was at 10 on a scale of 1-10. After the second week of decompression and other therapy procedures, the results were remarkable. My pain level was down to about a 3-4 and I was now able to move in ways hitherto too painful to accomplish. My response to the decompression was phenomenal.”
“I am now in the third phase of my treatment, the strengthening phase, and my pain level is down to about a 2. I started off the strengthening phase managing about 40 pounds on the machine and now I am up to 280 pounds. WOW! The progress I have made is nothing short of a miracle when I look back at my condition a few months ago. The procedure is revolutionary and its results extraordinary!”
“The staff at the Institute is remarkable. They are welcoming, caring and really concerned about their patients. Each member of the staff is devoted to the care of the patients and makes resolute efforts to ensure each patient’s comfort. Without reservation, I will recommend the Waterfront Institute of Spine and Joint Rehabilitation to anyone suffering from lower back pain.”
Hayden Lyons, School Principal
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation or our Decompression Info Kit call 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info.
About Dr. Podell: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
Who Is A Candidate For Non Surgical Spinal Decompression?
Anyone who has been told they need or has failed spinal surgery, anyone who has failed other methods of care including by not limited to routine chiropractic or physical therapy care, acupuncture, prescribed or OTC medications, pain management injections OR anyone who is still in pain and wants scientifically based evidence based protocols of care……
Keep in mind, each case is separate and distinct. I will never prescribe a generic one size fits-all program of care as many other so-called decompression clinics do.
Attention to detail and plenty of homework is done prior to accepting all cases. Generally, abound one of four patients are declined care as they are medically not appropriate for this type of care. However, evaluation will clearly determine who is… and who is not…. an appropriate candidate for care.
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation 201-840-1980 or go to www.watefrontspinerehab.com for more info.
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell, DC: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell, DC runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anesthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
MRI Studies And Non Surgical Decompression: Are These Tests Necessary?
In a word – Yes.
While MRI is not quite the “Gold” standard everyone thinks it is (a test called a “discogram” is probably better but more invasive) , it is a highly valuable diagnostic test when a patient presents to my office for decompression care. Keep in mind, in order to be a qualified candidate for a program of Non-Surgical Decompression, there must be, logically, some tissue or anatomical structure “compressed” and damage must be found. That might include disc hernia, bulge, extrusion, degeneration or damage to the intervertebral joints. If there are not any findings of a compressive injury or condition on an MRI, that patient is not going to be accepted for care and further investigation and studies must be done to determine the source of that patients pain.
Additionally, if there are compressive issues found on the MRI, they may vary from minimal levels of damage to multiple levels of degenerative decay, multiple herniations at one disc level, etc….. Thus, these findings would seriously affect the patients planned protocol of care and general plan of attack by your treating doctor.
Personally, I will not take on a decompression case without a relatively fresh MRI. And a patient should be very wary and questioning of any so-called decompression doctor that would.
Also, it mandatory for a patient to have digital motion x-ray evaluation (done right in my office) to determine and areas of instability that may either affect a patient’s treatment regimen and outcome or even cause me to reject the case and refer for surgery as the instability found contra-indicated non-surgical decompression methods.
Thorough evaluation and diagnostic work-ups usually lead to much more effective …. and safer outcomes.
If a patient is interested finding out if her or she is a candidate for our decompression methods, we will be glad to refer them to a qualified and local MRI facility and take them through this process.
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell, DC: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell, DC runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
Back Or Neck Surgery Recommended? First Get The Facts…. Then Think Again
First let me say that I am not against surgery for the neck or back. I am against surgery as a first line of care or defense for severe spinal pain.
And the facts support me.
Recent studies indicate that in a 5 year follow up, there was no statistically significant improvement in outcomes for those who did surgery… versus those who did absolutely nothing. Now, I didn’t say these patients got better. In fact, some got worse whether they did surgery or didn’t.
But the surgical patients did not do better. I find this disturbing considering the risk to the surgical patients including hospital induced infection, anesthesia reaction, possibility of negative surgical reaction or increased pain due to the procedure.
If find it more disturbing that patient’s actually opt for surgery because there is now a viable, safe, reliable and effective alternative available.
Studies as far back as 2003 by Dr. Dennis McClure, a neurosurgeon quite familiar with spinal surgery, indicate that patients recommended for surgery who opted for a protocol of non-surgical decompression therapy had a 92% success rate!. This is a real eye-opener as in the past, these patients would have undergone extensive surgery exposing them to all the risks previously noted. Not to mention the sky high costs (around $154,000.00 including surgery, operating room suite, anesthesia fees, post-surgical rehab and hosptitilization according to the AMA).
Also interesting was the fact that those who had submitted to but failed previous surgical “decompression” procedures known as “laminectomies” (whereby the a piece of the vertebrae called the lamina is removed) had a success rate of 79% with a protocol of non-surgical decompression. Quite remarkable particularly as these patients typically have post-surgical scar tissue and muscle weakness due to the surgical “wounds”.
Conclusion: If you’re thinking about surgery for back or neck pain…. Maybe you should think again and explore other options.
Til next time.
Dr. Dave Podell, DC
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell, DC: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell, DC runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
Can Medications, Pain Relievers Or Pain Management Procedures Be The Absolute Worst Thing For Serious Herniated Discs or Serious Neck & Back Pain? Part III
In a post treatment study of successful ….. as well as “un-successful”… spinal pain sufferers treated with non surgical decompression (NSSD), Dr. Dennis McClure, an Ohio based Neurosurgeon who uses these methods in his own practice, reported on several factors which seemed to impair the success of his care. While overall success rates were 79 to 92% overall with non surgical decompression methods, the one factor in his study that really jumped out me was this… and it really initially threw me for a loop but made a whole bunch more sense after chewing on this data a bit more….was that patients who were taking large amounts of medication were much less successful in their outcomes and some had even more pain.
Keeping in mind that roughly 8 to 9 out of 10 treated with a substantial degree of success, I found it amazing the use of medication did the opposite of what one would think which is to be helpful in alleviating pain. Also, patients on larger amounts of medication are typically less healthy. It also appears the use of the drugs seems to impair healing. Dr. McClures general conclusion, one with which I agree wholeheartedly, is that this certainly lends itself to the idea that more wholistic and drugless or diminished use of drug type therapies and approaches make better sense for most patients.
Conclusion: Medications should be used sparingly and short term only for cases of serious back and neck pain as it seriously masks pain while the patient unknowingly continues to damage, or destroy, the underlying tissue which is causing the pain. Find out what’ causing your pain and get it repaired.
Til next time.
Dr. Dave Podell, DC
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell, DC: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell, DC runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
What The Medical World And Physicians Are Saying About Non-Surgical Decompression
Intermittently my “delighted with their results” newer patients will ask me why their doctor never heard of
my clinic or the non surgical spinal decompression procedure. (if your are a physician reading this, I have just put the finishing touches on my physician education kit for NSSD) But, the truth is, not a week goes by where several disc pain sufferers are referred by other physicians to find out if they’re a candidate for our decompression program.
But here’s a few comments from a variety of practitioners:
“Excuciating pain radiated from my left leg to my toes. MRI scans showed deterioration at the L4 and L5 areas. My doctor recommended a 15-day VaxD regimen (*VaxD in one of the primary tools we use at Waterfront Spine Institure). I was doubtful about the sciatic pain in my leg, but I continued on with treatment and after the 15th session I only had a slight twinge occasionally. Since that day on, I am completely free of the pain in my back and my left leg. I jog the same as I used to, I cut the lawn, I’m back without any pain at all, and I”ve got to say Vax D (decompression) was the thing that did it for me.”
Roert Channey, M.D.
Former Assistant Surgeon General Of The United States
“VaxD Therapy should be the initial treatment for chronic back pain patients suffering from bulging, herniated, degenerative discs and facet syndrome. I view back surgery as a last resort, and VaxD gives my patients a more conservative treatment option that can eliminate the need for surgery altogether. VaxD is also a treatment option for those patiens who have had surgery and have a relapse or experience a retrun of pain following surgery. With VaxD, I have a key non-surgical treatment for back (and neck) pain”
Dr. Vik Singh, M.D., Q.M.E.
West Hills, California
“I’ve never found anything towork so well for back pain pagtients in my 39 years in medicine. VaxD changes people’s lives and frees them from the misery of chronic low back conditions. It repairs damaged discs that cause excruciating back pain and sciatica. It is able to fix the post-surgical train wrecks that no one else could repair. VaxD should be used before surgery. VaxD has lowered patients’ needs for pain medicines-and that is a good thing.
E. Michael Gutmann, M.D.
Orlando, Florida
“As a surgeon I only want to do surgery when I absolutely to. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy give my patients a more conservative treatment option that can eliminate the need for surgery altogether…”
Dr. Bernard Zeliger
Founding Dean of College Of Osteopathic Medicne-Vallejo, California
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation or our Decompression Info Kit call 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell, DC: Dr. Dave Podell, DC has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell, DC runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell, DC sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
A Few More Things You Should Know About Spine Pain, Herniated Discs And How Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) Can Help
My first blog gave you just a really brief intro to Spinal Decompression as an alterative to drugs, surgery and invasive injections. Most patients with advance conditions like disc 
herniation or degenerative problems are confused. In my opinion, there’s a lot of misinformation floating around and poor application of NSSD. People want to know the following:
- Can NSSD really help me or is it just hype?
- What causes herniated disc?
- Why the other therapies, including surgery, may not work for you?
- Am I a good candidate?
- Is it uncomfortable to have the procedure?
- Is it safe and is it effective?
- Will it help in the long run or will I just get short term relief?
- Can I exercise during my treatment?
- Should I do other therapies at the same time like acupuncture, chiropractic care, etc..
- Can I still work or do my household chores?
- Which decompression technology is the best?
- How long do treatments take and how many do I need?
- Does insurance over the NSSD treatment program?
- How do I find a good decompression clinic and doctor?
And many, many more……
Well, I can’t answer all those in one posting, so I’ll go slowly and I’ll pick the first question on the list for today.
Can decompression therapy NSSD really help you or is it just hype?
In a word, YES IT CAN HELP. AND, NO… IT IS NOT JUST HYPE. But… keep in mind that every case is different and not every case of serious spine pain is an appropriate candidate for the procedure. And it doesn’t’ “work” for everybody. Surely no therapeutic procedure has a 100% success rate…but…for properly chose candidates… the success rate is quite high.
Non surgical decompression is very powerful tool in the hands of the skilled health care provider. There is a plethora of research and, in my office, everything we do is scientific and “evidence based”. There is no hype, no delusions and no smoke and mirrors. However, you’re all different and every case varies in their needs such as which decompression technique is best suited to you, how many sessions you may need, etc,….
For properly evaluated and chosen candidates (1 of 3 who come to see us are absolutely and unforturanately NOT candidates), NSSD can have truly remarkable success and can be an excellent alternative to more aggressive procedures.
Want to find out if you’re a candidate. Give us a call at Waterfront Spine Institute for a no charge consultation 201-840-1980 or go to www.waterfrontspinerehab.com for more info
Thank you so much for visiting my site. I encourage you to leave your questions and comments below. And for more information on Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression please fill out the form to the right or give us a call at 201-840-1980
About Dr. Podell: Dr. Dave Podell has been in active practice for over 25 years and has seen countless numbers of the most difficult and previously failed cases. As the clinic director of the Watefront Spine Institute in Edgewater, New Jersey, just minutes from the GW Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and midtown Manhattan, Dr. Podell runs one of the Northeast’s most advanced and evolutionary multi-disciplinary clinics for the treatment of disc herniation and associated ailments. Dr. Podell sits on the advisory board of Spinal Aid Centers Of America and trains other health care providers in the science and art of non surgical spinal decompression in his Edgewater facility. He continues to train and advance his clinic’s state of the art spinal rehabilitation programs and is known nationwide in his field. He is additionally certified in neurodiagnostic evaluations, Spinal Manipulation Under Anasthesia and Disability Impairment rating. In addition to NSSD, he had received advanced training in Spinal Chiropractic Biophysics, Active Therapeutic Techniques, MedX and Spine Force Spinal Rehabilitation, Extremity manipulation, orthopedics and neurology.
