FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Decompression For Serious Neck And Back Pain
1. What is Non Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD)?
Neck and back pain have become a growing epidemic worldwide and the US and it’s inhabitants are not immune to the devastating effects of this growing problem. As it has become more apparent that surgical intervention, routine chiropractic, physical therapy, invasive pain management and drug therapy have not proved to be reliable, effective and as safe as patient’s would like particularly for longer term improvement. Non surgical decompression methods and technology have begun to take a leading as an alternative and as first line of defense for those with serious or chronic spinal pain and it’s related conditions including disc and herniation, degenerative disc disease, facet or joint damage, some forms of stenosis and even post surgical failures.
Using advances in medical technology, non surgical decompression applied to the proper candidates using the correct protocols and highest level technology, actually creates a vacuum like phenomena within the injured discs or joints thus reducing the excessively high intra disc pressures. With time, the herniation can “centralize” while nutrients, blood and fluids are drawn into the inner portion of the disc promoting longer term healing….as well as significant pain relief. All this is done without drugs, without surgery, without invasion of your spinal cord area with needles.
Overall, this approach has proven remarkably successful for the vast majority of properly chosen candidates with minimal to no risk of side effects or additional injury. While the medical world in general is slow to engage and utilize some revolutionary procedures, our office is filled with medical referrals as the approach is rapidly gaining foothold throughout the medical community at large.
2. How do you know if you are a qualified candidate for the procedure?
Only thorough evaluation can determine who is a proper candidate for the treatment program. Around 30% or 1 of 3 are point blank NOT appropriate for the care.
In our facility, we have at least 5 specific criteria that must be met prior even being considered for candidacy. Consultation and evaluation including MRI and motion digital x-ray must be performed. Even if we do consider entering a patient into the program, each patient is required to go through a one week trial period to determine proper treatment and response. This trial allows the doctor to determine how each patient is responding and if care should continue. It also gives the doctor additional data to determine which type of decompression (we offer 4 different types of technology and protocols depending on the patient’s needs) should be used with each individual.
If it is found you ARE NOT a candidate, one of our doctors can refer you for proper care or to our in-house pain management specialist for evaluation.
3. Is the treatment uncomfortable and is it safe?
Non surgical decompression treatment s remarkably comfortable. Most people are so comfortable they often fall asleep during the actual treatment. Others watch TV or even listen to music on our headphones or their IPOD.
Regarding safety: The procedure is ultra gentle and is predicated on the underlying science which has shown the lesser the pressure of the decompression therapy… the better. Keep in mind, we are actually “de-weighting” the spine as you are ” de-compressing”. By it’s very nature, when you are reducing and not increasing pressure, it turns out to be very safe…as well as effective.
Also, keep in mind that since all patients must go through a multi-point evaluation and even then, a preliminary trial treatment period, we are choosing are candidates very carefully. For those we determine to be less then optimal candidates, we will not embrace decompression therapy. Again, this makes are safety record impeccable.
4. How long does the program take and are the effects permanent?
Length of the program will be determined based on the results of your evaluation. Each properly chosen will be place in to a category or level 1 to 5….. like rating a hurricane. The higher your category and the more serious your case, the more time, decompression therapy sessions and strengthening rehabilitation you’ll require. So, time is very individualized.
On average, most cases require 15 to 20 sessions minimal with more serious or multi-level cases requiring up to 40 sessions.
As far as permanency, a relatively recent follow up study was done with patients whom had gone through decompression therapy 4+ years prior. This study revealed that the vast majority had been very successful in their NSSD treatment and had NOT suffered relapses or progression of pain for at least 4 years after they received the treatment. In fact, over 90% had returned to normal activities. In the medical arena, 4 years is considered a very long time. As an example, anyone who receives cancer treatment and survives 5 years is considered “cured” and a total success.
For those that receive NSSD, as long as they are reasonable with their lifestyle and follow through with follow up exercise and care, the long term success rate is very good.
5. Can I still work and be active during my treatment?
While each case is different, we do encourage most individuals to remain active at work. Some restrictions on athletic and recreational activities may be necessary during the first phase of care… usually the for 4 to 6 weeks… but not always.
6. Will insurance help with the costs of decompression care?
Keep in mind that NSSD in our office is a comprehensive spine rehab program of care. Most insurances will participate in some portion of the care. Some insurance carriers will only help with minimal portions of the program while others will be more significant.
Our insurance department and staff are experts in determining and verifying the level of insurance participation you will have… and we will gladly do a no cost benefits analysis once we know you are a candidate and our doctors have accepted your case.
7. I see a lot of clinics “advertising” decompression treatment. What makes your clinic special?
There are a number of answers to that.
a. Most other “decompression” centers offer only one type of decompression technology. We offer 4 of the most state-of-the-art computerized decompression technologies including VaxD Genesis 2, DRX9000/9000C, Spinetronics 3-D Anatalgictrak, and American Back Systems technology. One size does not fit all and not all types of technology are either appropriate or effective for all cases. That’s why we’ve invested, and continue to invest, in only the best and latest technology.
b. We use proven standards and evidence based protocols only. Many clinics do not. As an example, proper decompression sessions require at least 15 cycles of decompression. This can take from 25 to 40 minutes. Many clinics do only 10 or 15 minutes of the decompression therapy and thus, never get optimal results. Also, we note that many “failed” decompression cases are getting very high force decompression. This is “counter” to proper evidence based application of the procedure which should begin no higher than 25% of a patient’s body weight and rarely go past 75 pounds of decompression force.
c. Our doctors are true experts in decompression therapy technology and treatment and continue to train at the most up to date professional seminars and meetings. Perhaps more important is that our clinic director, Dr. Podell, is hands on with every case monitoring the progress of every patient. He does not hand you off to a staff therapist and he is present in the office and on the treatment areas 99% of the time. This “hand off” often happens at other busy clinics… but Dr. Podell insists on personalized involvement by himself and/or his highly trained associates each and every session.
Unlike other clinics, we’ll take a series of “motion” x-rays to determine areas of or weaknesses that cannot be determined by MRI only. This is highly important in determining you are… or are not… a candidate as well as to be instrumental in determining a personalized protocol of care if you are, indeed, found to be a candidate for our treatment procedures.
d. Our protocol requires a post decompression multi-dimensional spinal strengthening program unlike anywhere else utilizing all the latest testing and rehab equipment and technology. This ensures even longer term results and a much healthier spine.
e. We allow you to talk with as many of our past patients as you would like. After your evaluation visit, we actually give you an updated “call list” with our patients personal phone numbers. You can call them and ask them anything you would like about the program. Or, you can talk with patients in our reception area or even in the treatment area itself.
f. We will provide you with copies of all the published research available which include scientific studies as well as patient outcome studies. You’ll be supplied with multi-page patient education, DVD’s and computerized CD-ROM’s so you will thoroughly comfortably understand all the procedures.
g. Our doctors will explain everything you need to know in an easy, step-by-step understandable basis. Even your most minor questions will be answered in detail at a comfortable pace for you and every concerned family member.
h. No charge trial programs: If we determine you are a candidate after your evaluation, your trial period of care (usually one week) will be done at our expense… and absolutely no out of pocket expense to you You will get to “test drive” our office so you feel absolutely certain you have made the best choice possible for this very important health issue.
8. I think I have a major problem and my need decompression care. What should I do now?
Call the office at 201-840-1980. Tell the receptionist you would like to schedule for a no charge evaluation and consultation to find out if you are a candidate. You may be scheduled for the next available opening and can come in and review your case with the doctor. If you do not have MRI studies, we will take you through the process and refer you to an MRI clinic of your choice. Just give us a call and we’ll take care of everything for you.
To get answers to your own questions, and for more information, call: 877-BAD-BACK
