Texas Spine And Sports Therapy Center
1500 West 38th Street (off MoPac)
Austin Texas 78731
512-219-8999
Austin Texas Chiropractor-Dr. Bart Atencio D.C
How does Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center PLLC
treat severe back, neck, sciatica, disk, leg or arm pain?
We use an advanced treatment called spinal decompression.The device
we use is called the DRX9000™. It is based on the theory that
decompressing your spine is one way that disk spaces can be increased
and disk protrusions may be reduced.
Spinal Decompression is much different than conventional traction.
Although traction has been around for thousands of years-the science has
shown it just not to be very effective. In fact, in some areas of the body,
such as the neck, getting traction can be a risk factor for more severe
problems down the road. In the case of the lower back, it has not been
shown to reduce disk bulges, get you back to work, or lower your pain.
One of the theories as to why this is the case, is the effect of your back
muscles in resisting the pull when traction is applied. The distraction forces
come on much differently with the DRX9000™. The machine is constantly
sensing your muscles' resistance to the distraction forces. When your
muscles contract, the machine backs off a bit-when they "let go" it pulls more.
The forces are cycled, and ramped up and down in an attempt to "confuse"
your muscles so that maximal decompression is achieved. The machine
uses very sophisticated technology to achieve this.
The DRX9000™ it is not your grandfather's traction! Or the same as hanging
upside down or perhaps other devices you may have tried in the past.
The DRX9000™ is also different from other decompression technologies.
On the DRX9000™ the patient always lays face up with the knees bent with
support rests underneath the shoulders.
You do not grip onto anything with your hands during the treatments, which
can be tiring for some patients.
With the DRX9000™ the angle of decompression can be adjusted to affect
different lumbar levels in your lower or cervical spine.
What is the theory behind decompression? How does it work?
An experimental study has shown than in non-degenerated, but bulging disks
(something your MRI or CT scan would show), decompression can lower
the pressure inside the disk. This negative pressure may then draw or suck
the displaced disk material more towards the center of the disk and away
from your nerves. For many patients this can mean pain relief because a
compressed nerve is a painful nerve. If the pressure on the nerve is
released, it can begin to heal.
The DRX9000™ is designed to assist the body's natural tendency to heal
itself because Mother Nature sometimes needs a little help. If the disk can
be moved even a small amount away from the nerve, this can be enough to
decrease inflammation and irritation. We need more studies to fully
understand why patients can improve when they receive this type of
treatment and which types of disk problems respond the most.
What about the evidence or research behind
Spinal Decompression?
One study using a decompression machine showed a marked reduction
in disk herniations or protrusions in 71% of patients. Not everyone was
improved, but remember, these were patients with chronic long-term
problems. When a treatment may help even a fraction of the patients with
these types of back and leg pain-where nothing else has worked-you should
take notice. The protrusions were shown to change and were measured
using MRI technology.
Another study that specifically used the DRX9000™ was published in the
Orthopedic Technology Review. The study consisted of 219 patients. The
patients had a variety of different problems. Some had single level disk
herniations, and others had multiple levels that were bulging. Some had more
back than leg pain and others had mostly sciatica. The patients
encompassed a large spectrum of different kinds of problems, and levels of
pain:
1. Single lateral herniation......67 cases
2. Single central herniation.....22 cases
3. Single lateral herniation with disk degeneration............32cases
4. Single central herniation with disk degeneration...........24 cases
5. More than one herniation with disk degeneration..........17 cases
6. More than one herniation without disk degeneration......57 cases
None of the patients had previous back surgery and 73 of them had
received epidural injections for back problems. The study looked at how they
responded to the DRX9000™ in terms of pain, disability, and physical
findings including range of motion, and neurological function.
The results were that the majority of the patients obtained substantial
relief. Pain levels decreased from an avg of 6-7/10 to a 1/10. That is a very
large percentage in terms of anything else that is out there. The study was
blinded so that the researchers didn't have certain knowledge about some
aspects of the patient care. However, the study does not have a control
group, so I cannot make strong statements about how this treatment may
affect you.
Another study presented at the American Academy of Pain Management
Sept. 2007 showed that after a 6 week course of 20 DRX9000 treatments
the severity of chronic low back pain sufferers was significantly reduced in
89% of the test group, without any adverse side effects.
A study presented in 2006 by researchers from Stanford University, and
John Hopkins University on patients with lower back pain from disc related
problems reported a mean 90% improvement in back pain and better
function as measured by activities of daily living. On a 0-10 scale of
satisfaction, patients reported a 8.98 degree of satisfaction with the
outcome.
Another study presented in Feb. 2007 revealed that spinal
decompression is effective for the treatment of lower back pain caused by
bulging discs, herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. It also
demonstrated that “traction” demonstrated no significant difference.
Patients need to be very careful that they do not confuse traction for
decompression therapy. Many providers are advertising simple traction
devices as decompression. The DRX9000 provides “True” spinal
decompression therapy.
There are many additional studies that have shown the safety and
effectiveness of the DRX9000™ for the treatment of disc related problems.
We are happy to provide you with the research on this FDA cleared device if
you are interested.
The DRX9000™ is worth considering for a couple of reasons:
First, the clinical evidence is strong that this treatment should improve
most cases of disc related problems in the lower back or neck, without
documented side effects.
The second reason you should carefully weigh the evidence for spinal
decompression is because of the well-established scientific facts on the
risks of spinal surgery.
If there's one thing research has shown, is that surgery, except in
extremely rare emergency situations, simply does not work unless you have:
1. Numbness where you sit down
2. Bowel and bladder problems
3. Severe neurological deficits (such as foot drop or loss of muscle control)
Without the symptoms listed above, your decision to have back surgery is
considered an elective procedure and may not be necessarily needed.
That is why it is important that you exhaust your conservative options
first. There is a dismal lack of evidence that surgery is effective, and surgery
will create permanent changes in your spine.
Several studies have shown that doing nothing at all, works just as well,
and sometimes even better, than doing spinal surgery…and taking pain pills
for the rest of your life doesn't seem like a good option either-since there
are major bleeding risks and kidney problems associated with their long-term
use.
Your disk must be damaged for the DRX9000™ treatment to be indicated.
Right now, I don't even know if you're a good candidate for the DRX9000.
Frail people and the elderly should be cleared to receive DRX9000™
treatment.
Other patients may have rare problems, such as cancer, that is causing the
back and leg pain. These rare diseases have to be ruled out before
undergoing the DRX- 9000™ treatment.
Pregnant women are also not good candidates for decompression because
they will have laxity of their ligaments in the third trimester.
The only way we can know if you're a good candidate is do…
A Complimentary DRX9000™ Candidate Assessment
In my office we use all the tools necessary to thoroughly diagnose your
problem.
We analyze your nervous system with conventional techniques, checking to
see if you have muscle problems (motor), changes in your reflexes, and
whether your nerves are so injured, you're losing sensations in your legs and
feet.
We check your range of motion because movement dysfunction is so
common in patients with back or neck problems. This will help us determine
just how much function has been lost and give me important goals for your
treatment.
We will also palpate your back to see where the tenderness and swelling is
located.
It is important that we find the actual level in your spine that is causing the
problems, because if you are a candidate, the DRX9000™ will then be used
at the affected disk(s).
We will review your MRI or CT scans and x-rays, or if necessary refer you
to an imaging center to get them, because the DRX9000™ is designed to
reduce disk bulges.
Your quality of life is important to you and me, and so I will measure just how
your back and leg pain has affected your daily life.
We use the most scientific instruments to assess how your life has changed-
ones that are used in the best scientific studies.
We will then use these measurements again to see if your treatment is
working.
This is a much more objective (evidence-based) way of practicing, instead
of working on simple hunches.
Dr. Bart Atencio D.C
Austin Chiropractor- Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center PLLC
1500 West 38th Street (off MoPac)
Austin, Texas 78731
512-219-8999
Please visit our website at www.austintexaschiro.com
Scientific References
1. Gionis TA, Groteke E. The outcome of a clinical study evaluating the effect of nonsurgical intervention on symptoms of spine patients with herniated and degenerative disk disease is presented. Spinal Decompression,
Orthopedic Technological Review. 2003; 5(6)[Nov/Dec]:36-39.
2. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiskal pressure. J neurosurg 1994;81:350-353.
3. Sherry E, Kitchener P, Smart R. A prospective controlled study of VAX-D and TENS for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Neurol Res 2001;23:780-784.
4. Guehring T, Unglaub F, Lorenz H, et. al. Intradiskal pressure measurements in normal disks, compressed disks and compressed disks treated with axial posterior distraction: an experimental study on the rabbit
lumbar spine model. Eur Spine J 2006;15:597-604.
5. Bigos S, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults, Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. Rockville, MD: U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, AHCPR pub. No 95-0642, Dec.1994.
6. LeBlanc AD, Evans HJ, Schneider VS, Wendt RE, Hedrick TD. Changes in intervertebral disk cross-sectional area with bed rest and space flight. Spine 1991;19:812-817.
7. Naguszewaki WK, Naguszewaki RK, Gose EE. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potiential demonstration of nerve root decompression after VAX-D therapy. Neurol Res 2001 Oct;23(7):706-14
8. Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK. Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated disks or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res 1998;20:186-90
9. Gay RE, Bronfort G, Evans RL. Distraction manipulation of the lumbar spine: a review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2005;28:266-73.
10. Graz B, Wietlisbach V, Porchet F, Vader JP. Prognosis or "curabo effect?" physician prediction and patient outcome of surgery for low back pain and sciatica.
Spine. 2005;15;30:1448-52.
11. Guyer RD,Patterson M, Ohnmeiss DD. Failed back surgery syndrome: diagnostic evaluation. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14(9):534-43.
12.. Buttermann GR. The effect of spinal steroid injections for degenerative disk disease Spine J. 2004;4:495-505.
13. Hazard RG. Failed back surgery syndrome: surgical and nonsurgical approaches. Clin Orthop 2006;443:228-32.
14. Croft PR, Macfarlane GJ, Papageorgiou AC, Thomas E, Silman AJ. Outc ome of low back pain in general practice: a prospective study. BMJ 1998;316:1356-1359.
15. Reginster JY. The prevalence and burden of arthritis. Rheumatology [Oxford] 2002;41(suppl.]:3-6.
This Free Report Is Compliments of Dr. Atencio 1500 West 38th Street, Suite 38, Austin, Texas, 512-219-8999, batencio@texasspineandsports.com
1500 West 38th Street (off MoPac)
Austin Texas 78731
512-219-8999
Austin Texas Chiropractor-Dr. Bart Atencio D.C
How does Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center PLLC
treat severe back, neck, sciatica, disk, leg or arm pain?
We use an advanced treatment called spinal decompression.The device
we use is called the DRX9000™. It is based on the theory that
decompressing your spine is one way that disk spaces can be increased
and disk protrusions may be reduced.
Spinal Decompression is much different than conventional traction.
Although traction has been around for thousands of years-the science has
shown it just not to be very effective. In fact, in some areas of the body,
such as the neck, getting traction can be a risk factor for more severe
problems down the road. In the case of the lower back, it has not been
shown to reduce disk bulges, get you back to work, or lower your pain.
One of the theories as to why this is the case, is the effect of your back
muscles in resisting the pull when traction is applied. The distraction forces
come on much differently with the DRX9000™. The machine is constantly
sensing your muscles' resistance to the distraction forces. When your
muscles contract, the machine backs off a bit-when they "let go" it pulls more.
The forces are cycled, and ramped up and down in an attempt to "confuse"
your muscles so that maximal decompression is achieved. The machine
uses very sophisticated technology to achieve this.
The DRX9000™ it is not your grandfather's traction! Or the same as hanging
upside down or perhaps other devices you may have tried in the past.
The DRX9000™ is also different from other decompression technologies.
On the DRX9000™ the patient always lays face up with the knees bent with
support rests underneath the shoulders.
You do not grip onto anything with your hands during the treatments, which
can be tiring for some patients.
With the DRX9000™ the angle of decompression can be adjusted to affect
different lumbar levels in your lower or cervical spine.
What is the theory behind decompression? How does it work?
An experimental study has shown than in non-degenerated, but bulging disks
(something your MRI or CT scan would show), decompression can lower
the pressure inside the disk. This negative pressure may then draw or suck
the displaced disk material more towards the center of the disk and away
from your nerves. For many patients this can mean pain relief because a
compressed nerve is a painful nerve. If the pressure on the nerve is
released, it can begin to heal.
The DRX9000™ is designed to assist the body's natural tendency to heal
itself because Mother Nature sometimes needs a little help. If the disk can
be moved even a small amount away from the nerve, this can be enough to
decrease inflammation and irritation. We need more studies to fully
understand why patients can improve when they receive this type of
treatment and which types of disk problems respond the most.
What about the evidence or research behind
Spinal Decompression?
One study using a decompression machine showed a marked reduction
in disk herniations or protrusions in 71% of patients. Not everyone was
improved, but remember, these were patients with chronic long-term
problems. When a treatment may help even a fraction of the patients with
these types of back and leg pain-where nothing else has worked-you should
take notice. The protrusions were shown to change and were measured
using MRI technology.
Another study that specifically used the DRX9000™ was published in the
Orthopedic Technology Review. The study consisted of 219 patients. The
patients had a variety of different problems. Some had single level disk
herniations, and others had multiple levels that were bulging. Some had more
back than leg pain and others had mostly sciatica. The patients
encompassed a large spectrum of different kinds of problems, and levels of
pain:
1. Single lateral herniation......67 cases
2. Single central herniation.....22 cases
3. Single lateral herniation with disk degeneration............32cases
4. Single central herniation with disk degeneration...........24 cases
5. More than one herniation with disk degeneration..........17 cases
6. More than one herniation without disk degeneration......57 cases
None of the patients had previous back surgery and 73 of them had
received epidural injections for back problems. The study looked at how they
responded to the DRX9000™ in terms of pain, disability, and physical
findings including range of motion, and neurological function.
The results were that the majority of the patients obtained substantial
relief. Pain levels decreased from an avg of 6-7/10 to a 1/10. That is a very
large percentage in terms of anything else that is out there. The study was
blinded so that the researchers didn't have certain knowledge about some
aspects of the patient care. However, the study does not have a control
group, so I cannot make strong statements about how this treatment may
affect you.
Another study presented at the American Academy of Pain Management
Sept. 2007 showed that after a 6 week course of 20 DRX9000 treatments
the severity of chronic low back pain sufferers was significantly reduced in
89% of the test group, without any adverse side effects.
A study presented in 2006 by researchers from Stanford University, and
John Hopkins University on patients with lower back pain from disc related
problems reported a mean 90% improvement in back pain and better
function as measured by activities of daily living. On a 0-10 scale of
satisfaction, patients reported a 8.98 degree of satisfaction with the
outcome.
Another study presented in Feb. 2007 revealed that spinal
decompression is effective for the treatment of lower back pain caused by
bulging discs, herniated discs and degenerative disc disease. It also
demonstrated that “traction” demonstrated no significant difference.
Patients need to be very careful that they do not confuse traction for
decompression therapy. Many providers are advertising simple traction
devices as decompression. The DRX9000 provides “True” spinal
decompression therapy.
There are many additional studies that have shown the safety and
effectiveness of the DRX9000™ for the treatment of disc related problems.
We are happy to provide you with the research on this FDA cleared device if
you are interested.
The DRX9000™ is worth considering for a couple of reasons:
First, the clinical evidence is strong that this treatment should improve
most cases of disc related problems in the lower back or neck, without
documented side effects.
The second reason you should carefully weigh the evidence for spinal
decompression is because of the well-established scientific facts on the
risks of spinal surgery.
If there's one thing research has shown, is that surgery, except in
extremely rare emergency situations, simply does not work unless you have:
1. Numbness where you sit down
2. Bowel and bladder problems
3. Severe neurological deficits (such as foot drop or loss of muscle control)
Without the symptoms listed above, your decision to have back surgery is
considered an elective procedure and may not be necessarily needed.
That is why it is important that you exhaust your conservative options
first. There is a dismal lack of evidence that surgery is effective, and surgery
will create permanent changes in your spine.
Several studies have shown that doing nothing at all, works just as well,
and sometimes even better, than doing spinal surgery…and taking pain pills
for the rest of your life doesn't seem like a good option either-since there
are major bleeding risks and kidney problems associated with their long-term
use.
Your disk must be damaged for the DRX9000™ treatment to be indicated.
Right now, I don't even know if you're a good candidate for the DRX9000.
Frail people and the elderly should be cleared to receive DRX9000™
treatment.
Other patients may have rare problems, such as cancer, that is causing the
back and leg pain. These rare diseases have to be ruled out before
undergoing the DRX- 9000™ treatment.
Pregnant women are also not good candidates for decompression because
they will have laxity of their ligaments in the third trimester.
The only way we can know if you're a good candidate is do…
A Complimentary DRX9000™ Candidate Assessment
In my office we use all the tools necessary to thoroughly diagnose your
problem.
We analyze your nervous system with conventional techniques, checking to
see if you have muscle problems (motor), changes in your reflexes, and
whether your nerves are so injured, you're losing sensations in your legs and
feet.
We check your range of motion because movement dysfunction is so
common in patients with back or neck problems. This will help us determine
just how much function has been lost and give me important goals for your
treatment.
We will also palpate your back to see where the tenderness and swelling is
located.
It is important that we find the actual level in your spine that is causing the
problems, because if you are a candidate, the DRX9000™ will then be used
at the affected disk(s).
We will review your MRI or CT scans and x-rays, or if necessary refer you
to an imaging center to get them, because the DRX9000™ is designed to
reduce disk bulges.
Your quality of life is important to you and me, and so I will measure just how
your back and leg pain has affected your daily life.
We use the most scientific instruments to assess how your life has changed-
ones that are used in the best scientific studies.
We will then use these measurements again to see if your treatment is
working.
This is a much more objective (evidence-based) way of practicing, instead
of working on simple hunches.
Dr. Bart Atencio D.C
Austin Chiropractor- Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center PLLC
1500 West 38th Street (off MoPac)
Austin, Texas 78731
512-219-8999
Please visit our website at www.austintexaschiro.com
Scientific References
1. Gionis TA, Groteke E. The outcome of a clinical study evaluating the effect of nonsurgical intervention on symptoms of spine patients with herniated and degenerative disk disease is presented. Spinal Decompression,
Orthopedic Technological Review. 2003; 5(6)[Nov/Dec]:36-39.
2. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiskal pressure. J neurosurg 1994;81:350-353.
3. Sherry E, Kitchener P, Smart R. A prospective controlled study of VAX-D and TENS for the treatment of chronic low back pain. Neurol Res 2001;23:780-784.
4. Guehring T, Unglaub F, Lorenz H, et. al. Intradiskal pressure measurements in normal disks, compressed disks and compressed disks treated with axial posterior distraction: an experimental study on the rabbit
lumbar spine model. Eur Spine J 2006;15:597-604.
5. Bigos S, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults, Clinical Practice Guideline No. 14. Rockville, MD: U.S. Public Health Service, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, AHCPR pub. No 95-0642, Dec.1994.
6. LeBlanc AD, Evans HJ, Schneider VS, Wendt RE, Hedrick TD. Changes in intervertebral disk cross-sectional area with bed rest and space flight. Spine 1991;19:812-817.
7. Naguszewaki WK, Naguszewaki RK, Gose EE. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potiential demonstration of nerve root decompression after VAX-D therapy. Neurol Res 2001 Oct;23(7):706-14
8. Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK. Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated disks or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res 1998;20:186-90
9. Gay RE, Bronfort G, Evans RL. Distraction manipulation of the lumbar spine: a review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2005;28:266-73.
10. Graz B, Wietlisbach V, Porchet F, Vader JP. Prognosis or "curabo effect?" physician prediction and patient outcome of surgery for low back pain and sciatica.
Spine. 2005;15;30:1448-52.
11. Guyer RD,Patterson M, Ohnmeiss DD. Failed back surgery syndrome: diagnostic evaluation. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2006;14(9):534-43.
12.. Buttermann GR. The effect of spinal steroid injections for degenerative disk disease Spine J. 2004;4:495-505.
13. Hazard RG. Failed back surgery syndrome: surgical and nonsurgical approaches. Clin Orthop 2006;443:228-32.
14. Croft PR, Macfarlane GJ, Papageorgiou AC, Thomas E, Silman AJ. Outc ome of low back pain in general practice: a prospective study. BMJ 1998;316:1356-1359.
15. Reginster JY. The prevalence and burden of arthritis. Rheumatology [Oxford] 2002;41(suppl.]:3-6.
This Free Report Is Compliments of Dr. Atencio 1500 West 38th Street, Suite 38, Austin, Texas, 512-219-8999, batencio@texasspineandsports.com
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