Your Fort Worth Chiropractor

As non-surgical spinal decompression therapy gains recognition in the chronic back pain community, more and more upper back pain sufferers may want to find out if they qualify for the DRX9000 therapy. So what kind of information would you need as a patient researching this form of therapy? Take a look below and you may find several of the most important questions a patient could have.

Who is a candidate for the DRX9000™ therapy?

Mid back pain sufferers that may benefit most from non-surgical spinal decompression may be those with: Pain from a disk bulge that is greater than 4 weeks old. If six months after surgery, chronic back pain due to a failed back surgery persists. Continual pain from degenerated discs and have not responded well to four weeks of traditional therapy. Patients with four weeks availability for therapy protocol. Patients 18 years or older.

What can I expect during therapy?

During each 30-minute therapy session the patient rests comfortably on a heavily-padded bed. After being secured into position by an upper and lower body harness, the back pain patient may completely relax by watching a DVD, listening to music, or simply taking a nap. Typically, each 30-minute session is divided into 18-phases where spinal decompressive forces rotate between a maximum and minimum therapeutic level. The cycling of forces in this manner appears to produce a pumping action that simulates the natural processes responsible for nourishing the intervertebral disc.

What may I experience during the course of therapy?

Some patients may experience light side effects with this type of therapy. Mild muscular uneasiness during therapy may occur. The feeling would be comparable to what a person may feel at the beginning of a new exercise regimen. Most patients find this therapy rather comfortable and relaxing. For the period of thirty minute sessions, many patients experience a gentle stretch in the lumbar spine and have a tendency to go to sleep. Adjunctive therapies to non-surgical back decompression normally involve electrical stimulation and cold therapy. A lumbar support belt and/or exercise are often prescribed to maintain the benefits of non-surgical back decompression and advance patient compliance.

Am I capable of receiving therapy on the DRX9000 if I have had back surgery?

Yes. It truly depends on the kind of surgery you had. If you’ve had plates, screws, cables, and/or any sort of metal implant inserted in your spine you will not be a candidate for therapy.

Are there any exclusions why someone may not be treated on the DRX9000™?

The DRX9000™ cannot help patients with: compression fractures, pelvic or abdominal cancer, prior lumbar fusion, severe osteoporosis, spondylolisthesis (unstable), pars defect, Pathologic Aortic aneurysm, disc space infections, severe peripheral neuropathy, hemiplegia or cognitive dysfunction

Can I be treated during my pregnancy?

No. Patients who are pregnant cannot be treated during any stage of pregnancy.

While under DRX9000™ therapy, will my everyday activities be restricted?

During the first two weeks of therapy, patients are told to limit everyday activities and may placed on light duty at work. After the second week of therapy, beginning activity is allowed. Patients who have improved by 50% are instructed on various lumbar stretching exercises to be performed in combination with therapy.

After completing my 20 treatments, will I ever need to be treated again?

Patients may be placed on a strengthening and rehabilitation program for approximately 4-6 weeks to help strengthen paravertebral musculature. Patients are to return one month after therapy for assessment and follow-up to see if maintenance DRX9000 treatments are needed.

If you are experiencing back pain and would like to learn more about non-surgical back decompression and the DRX9000, please contact your local DRX9000 doctor.

This information is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Speak with your doctor before considering any medical therapy method available.