Frequently Asked Questions DRX9000

You may be a candidate if you are 18 or older and your back pain, neck pain or sciatica is caused by a herniated disc, a bulging disc, degenerative disc disease or posterior facet syndrome. Candidacy is confirmed at an in-person evaluation, because your imaging and medical history determine whether spinal decompression is appropriate for you.

Some conditions rule the treatment out, including spinal fusion hardware or implants, spinal fractures, tumours or infections of the spine, severe osteoporosis, pregnancy, certain vascular conditions such as an aortic aneurysm, and advanced spondylolisthesis. Dr. Steven Cantor, DC reviews these with you before any treatment begins.

TriMed Spine & Joint treats patients at four South Florida offices in Boca Raton, Lauderhill, Hollywood and Delray Beach. Call 1 (855) 4-TRIMED (855-487-4633) or book a consultation with Dr. Cantor to find out whether you qualify.

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.

Most patients report a reduction in pain after the first few sessions. Typically, significant improvement is obtained by the second week of treatment.

Since we began using the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression table, we’ve been inundated with questions from both doctors and patients as to which cases it will best help. Obviously proper patient selection is essential to favorable outcomes, so please contact us so we can better understand your pain conditions – then we can better explain the Inclusion and Exclusion criteria so we may make the right decision since not all patients qualify for Spinal Decompression treatment.

Side effects are uncommon and mild. The one patients report most often is temporary muscle soreness or spasm during the first few sessions, which usually settles within a day or two.

Tell your provider about any new or worsening pain, numbness or tingling so your treatment plan can be adjusted.

Spinal Decompression is achieved by using a specific combination of spinal positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The key to producing this spinal 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 spinal decompression to occur at the targeted area.

DRX9000 spinal decompression is a non-surgical, FDA-cleared treatment with a strong safety profile. It is non-invasive and does not carry the risks associated with surgery, such as infection or anesthesia complications. Most patients experience mild, temporary muscle soreness after the early sessions, similar to what you would feel after starting a new stretching routine, which typically resolves within a day or two. The table also has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator, so treatment can be stopped immediately at any point.

That said, DRX9000 is not appropriate for everyone. During your consultation at TriMed Spine & Joint we review your health history and imaging to rule out contraindications, which can include:

• Spinal fusion hardware or implants
• Fractures, tumors or infections of the spine
• Severe osteoporosis
• Pregnancy
• Certain vascular conditions, such as an aortic aneurysm
• Advanced spondylolisthesis

This screening is why we require an evaluation before beginning treatment. It makes sure DRX9000 is both safe and appropriate for your specific condition.

Traction is helpful at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniated or degeneration. Traction cannot address the source of the problem. Spinal Decompression 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. Spinal Decompression 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.

Previous back surgery does not automatically rule you out, and many patients have found relief with spinal decompression after an unsuccessful surgery.

Fusion hardware, spinal implants and a surgically repaired aneurysm are contraindications, so we review your operative history and imaging before recommending treatment.

Spinal decompression is not recommended if you have any of the following, and we screen for all of them before starting care:

• Recent spinal fractures
• Surgical fusion or metallic implants in the spine
• A surgically repaired aneurysm or certain vascular conditions, such as an aortic aneurysm
• Infection or tumors of the spine
• Moderate to severe osteoporosis
• Advanced spondylolisthesis
• Pregnancy

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.