|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Is Spinal Decompression for you?
What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
DTS Spinal Decompression Therapy is FDA-approved and has a high success rate for pain associated with herniated or bulging discs...even after failed surgery. It is a non-surgical, traction based therapy for the relief of back and leg pain or neck and arm pain. During this procedure, involving distraction and relaxation phases and with proper positioning, a spinal disc can be isolated and placed under negative pressure, causing a vacuum effect within the disc.
What can this vacuum effect do?
The vacuum effect accomplishes two things. From a mechanical standpoint, disc material that has protruded or herniated outside the normal confines of the disc can be pulled back within the disc by the vacuum created within the disc. Also, the vacuum within the disc stimulates growth of blood supply, secondarily stimulating a healing response. This results in pain reduction and proper healing at the injured site.
What system do you use for spinal decompression?
After a significant amount of research, we chose the Triton® DTS system manufactured by the Chattanooga Group, the premier manufacturer of physical medicine equipment. More importantly, our system has the brand new 2006 computerized tension system. This is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced unit in the world. No other office in Pflugerville has a more "state of the art" spinal decompression system. In fact, the new 2006 Triton® is so revolutionary that it won the 2006 Australian Design Award in the "Medical and Scientific" category.
Who can benefit from Decompression Therapy?
Patients suffering from:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Chronic Headaches
- Persistent hand numbness, pain or tingling
- Sciatica
- Bulging or Herniated Discs
- Pinched Nerves
- Spinal Stenosis
This therapy is particularly effective on those who cannot or have not found relief through other therapies such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, prescription painkillers, steroid injections, and even surgery.
Do most patients receive therapy and rehabilitative exercises in addition to Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Each patient is different. In some cases, other treatment may be used to assist the healing process. Some of these supportive therapies may be chiropractic care, massage therapy, physical therapy, muscle electro-stimulation, ultrasound, or rehabilitative exercises. Fortunately, most of these therapies ARE covered by insurance.
How is Spinal Decompression different from traction?
Traction is a simple static force that is put on the patient’s body with the intent of unloading the body's joints, muscles and other structures. For example, hanging upside-down is a common method to put the spine into traction. Several clinical studies have shown traction to be an ineffective form of back and neck pain relief. The reason is unexpected, but pretty simple. Our bodies react to the static unloading of the spine by contracting, or squeezing, the muscles surrounding the spine. Rather than achieving the desired effect of unloading the spine, the pressure on the spine is actually increased, thus increasing intradiscal pressure. This does NOT allow the discs to rehydrate and heal, which is what ultimately yields pain relief.
Spinal Decompression, on the other hand, is a modified, scientifically updated form of traction. Computer technology is used to control variations in the unloading of the spine, effectively avoiding the body's muscle contraction response. The doctor also has complete control over how long the tensions are held steady and how often they are repeated. Because Spinal Decompression avoids the muscle contraction response, the intradiscal pressure is actually lowered to the point of being a vacuum, negative pressure. This vacuum is what allows herniated material to be drawn back into place and permits rehydration of the disc. Spinal decompression is different from traction because it works.
Are there medical studies that document the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?
Yes! One study documented by MRI shows up to 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 of 14 cases and other studies reported that the majority of ruptured disc patients achieved "good" to "excellent" results after spinal decompression therapy.
Another study showed 86% of the patients who completed therapy reported immediate resolution of symptoms. Examination showed improvement in 92% of patients and re-examination after 90 days showed that 89% of all patients retained those improvements.
In fact, all but two patients studied showed at least 30% improvement in the first three weeks!
Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is not indicated?
Spinal decompression therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, patients who have severe osteoporosis or severe nerve damage.
Spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws, metal plates or “cages”) is also contraindicated. However, spinal decompression therapy can be performed after bone fusion or non-fusion surgery.
Are the sessions painful?
In almost all cases, the treatments are completely painless. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the spinal decompression session!
How many sessions will be needed?
The doctor will determine the specific treatment plan after your examination. Based on current research, the best results have been achieved utilizing between 12 and 20 sessions over a 6-week period.
What is the cost?
We charge $75 per treatment session. Most clinics in Austin charge $100 to $150 per session. Based on common protocol, the total cost of the treatments would only be $900.00 to $1500.00. This is a small fraction of the amounts that some other doctors are charging and far less costly than surgery. While most insurance plans cover spinal surgery, the average patient will still get stuck with a bill for $8,000 to $10,000.
Think about the price that chronic pain costs you in terms of quality of life, enjoyment of leisure time, lost works hours, etc. $1000 is a small price to pay for thousands of pain-free hours spend with your family and loved ones.
Does my insurance cover it?
Currently, many insurance companies do not cover spinal decompression. This is because this technology is so new. The FDA approval for this technology came through in April of 2006. As time goes on, this therapy will most likely become covered by insurance. However, paying out of pocket for spinal decompression would cost less than the patient portion of a surgery bill. We would be happy to come up with a payment plan for you, so that cost does not interfere with getting the treatment you need.
How does Spinal Decompression compare with surgical options?
In some cases, surgery is the only option. For those candidates, surgery can prove to be a successful option; however, there are inherent, and significant, risks associated with any surgical procedure. Because the spine is such a complex and important structure in the body, the risks of anesthesia are multiplied by the risk of serious injury due to surgical mistakes or complications.
Spinal Decompression is keeping a significant number of surgical candidates from ever having surgery. It doesn't help everyone, but the outstanding clinical results, as well as the results we have seen in our office, are difficult to ignore. It is responsible to weigh the safety, the proven success rate and the cost of each treatment before deciding which treatment option is best for you.
Treatment: DTS Spinal Decompression
Summary: Safe, Non-invasive, Painless with an Excellent Success Rate (86%)
Cost: $900 - $1500
Treatment: Laminectomy (Surgical Excision of Herniated Disc)
Summary: Significant Surgical & Anesthesia Risks, Painful, Invasive with a Poor Success Rate (50%)
Cost: $15,000 - $40,000
Treatment: Discectomy (Surgical Excision of Diseased Disc)
Summary: Significant Surgical & Anesthesia Risks, Painful, Invasive with a Poor Success Rate (50%)
Cost: $10,000 - $30,000
Treatment: IDET (Intradiscal Electrothermal Treatment)
Summary: Significant Surgical & Anesthesia Risks, Painful, Invasive with a Poor Success Rate (50%)
Cost: $15,000 - $25,000
Treatment: Do Nothing
Summary: Condition continues to get worse, Very Painful
Cost: High (due to loss of normal life and potential disability)
How do I get started?
We want make it easy for you to learn if you are a candidate for Spinal Decompression Therapy. An initial consultation lasts about 20 minutes.
CALL OUR OFFICE TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION.
|
|
|
