DRX9000TM  Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

 

Castle Chiropractic is happy we are now able to offer non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.  This treatment is recommended for those patients suffering from herniated or bulging disc, degenerative dic disease, and sciatic nerve symptoms.

The treatment reproduces a micro-gravity state that ultimately restores nutrients and blood flow to troubled discs along the spine.  This helps to alieviate back pain and avoid surgery.

 

How it Works

The DRX9000™ system is designed to reproduce how the human spine responds to micro-gravity.  The system targets specific lumbar segments (the site and source of your pain) and gradually unloads pressure on the spinal nerves that cause low back pain often produced by:

• disc herniations
• degenerative disease
• sciatica
• posterior facet syndrome
• even failed back surgery cases

Unlike traction, which pulls both muscle and spine, the DRX9000™ applies forces to increase intra-discal pressure and enhance fluid diffusion to the discs.  This non-surgical decompression therapy expands the space between the bones.  Expanding the space between the vertebrae restores nutrients and blood flow to the disc which encourages healing— without surgery.  Non-surgical decompression allows a damaged disc restore to a healthier state from the inside out.

The DRX9000™ system has been proven to relieve pain by:

•  Enlarging disc space
•  Reducing herniations
•  Strengthening outer ligaments to help move herniated areas back into place
•  Reversing high intra-disc pressures through application of negative pressure

Each session is so relaxing, some patients report actually falling asleep during their treatment!

Results You Can Expect

The DRX9000™ not only significantly reduces back pain, but also enables the majority of patients to return to living more active lifestyles.

According to a study in the American Journal of Pain Management the DRX9000™ decompression method provided good to excellent relief for 86% of patients with ruptured intervertebral discs and 75% of patients with facet arthrosis, reports the manufacturer, Axiom Worldwide.

You Can Avoid Surgery

If you tried other treatments such as pain medication, steroid injections, acupuncture, even traditional chiropractic; if you are considering surgery as your only alternative to relieve your pain; if you have had surgery only to have your pain persist, contact Dr. Basco, DC at Bay Area Spine Care to learn more about non-surgical spinal decompression.

Does the DRX9000™ really work?

Since its release in 2001, the DRX9000™ has been treating patients with bulging and herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and even relapse or failed back surgery.

How does it work?

The DRX9000™ uses state of the art technology to apply a distraction force to relieve nerve compression often associated with low back pain and sciatica.

How do I get started?

Contact our office at (847) 202-7860 to schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Castle or Dr. Schroeder to determine if you are a candidate for care with the DRX9000™. 

DRX9000™ Frequently Asked Questions

What causes low back pain?

Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors from injuries to the effects of 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 press on surrounding nerves, causing pain or numbness.

Who is not a candidate for spinal decompression therapy?

Anyone who has recent spinal fractures, surgical fusion or metallic hardware, surgically repaired aneurysms, infection of the spine, and/or moderate to severe osteoporosis.

Who is a candidate for spinal decompression?

Anyone who has been told they need surgery but wishes to avoid it, anyone who has been told there is nothing more available to help, anyone who failed to significantly respond to conservative options (medications, physical therapy, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture), or anyone who still has pain but wishes to obtain the type of care they want.

If I undergo DRX9000™ 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 DRX9000™ treatment?

The course of treament is a total of 20 sessions.  Patients remain on the system for 25-35 minutes, daily for the first 2 weeks, three times a week for the following 2 weeks, and followed up by two times a week for the last 2 weeks.

What is the success rate of the DRX9000™ Treatment?

Extensive clinical testing has proven the DRX9000™ 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 DRX9000™ 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. Though, there have been some mild cases of muscle spasm for a short period of time.


Has the DRX9000™ spinal decompression unit proven to be effective?

YES. In a recent outcome study by T. Gionnis (submitted to the Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine), 500 potential patients with back pain and pain radiating into the extremities were treated on the DRX9000™. With treatment success defined by a reduction of pain to 0 or 1 on the pain scale, the DRX9000™ treatment was successful for 86% of the 219 patients included in the study.

How does the DRX9000™ separate each vertebra and allow for decompression at a specific level?

Decompression is achieved by using a specific combination of spinal positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The key to producing this decompression is the gentle pull that is created by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are generated on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is avoided. Avoiding this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted area.

Is there any risk to the patient during treatment on the DRX9000™?

NO. The DRX9000™ is totally safe and comfortable for all subjects. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches (a requirement of the FDA) terminate the treatment immediately thereby avoiding any injuries.

Are the treatment results permanent?

The DRX9000™ has an impressive 86% success rate in treating herniated and degenerative discs with a 4% reoccurrence rate after one year. Typically additional treatments are not required after the completion of the treatment protocol. However, as with any treatment there are always severe cases that involve particular job/lifestyle activities that may require re-evaluations.

How does the DRX9000™ treatment differ from ordinary spinal traction?

Traction is helpful at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniated or degeneration. Traction cannot address the source of the problem. The DRX9000™ creates a negative pressure or a vacuum inside the disc. This effect causes the disc to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also causes the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc allowing the body's natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. The DRX9000™ is clinically proven to reduce the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction triggers the body's normal response to stretching by creating painful muscle spasms that worsen the pain in affected area.

Can the DRX9000™ be used for patients that have had spinal surgery?

In most cases the DRX9000™ treatment is not contra-indicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with the DRX9000™ after a failed back surgery.