What causes low back and neck 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.

 

What kind of spinal decompression do we offer?

We utilize the DRX 9000C spinal decompression unit. This is a state of the art piece of equipment that can treat the cervical (neck) or lumbar (low back) herniated, bulging or degenerative discs.

 

Does my insurance cover it?

Many insurances will cover some of the DRX procedures. Our office can verify the amounts your insurance will cover and let you know your exact out of pocket expense.

 

If I undergo DRX 9000 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 DRX 9000 treatment?
Sessions times are between 30-45 minutes, four times weekly for three weeks, three times weekly for two weeks and twice weekly for two weeks.  Though, the number of sessions may vary depending upon the severity of the condition.

What is the success rate of the DRX 9000 Treatment?
Extensive clinical testing has proven the DRX 9000 to achieve an 86% success rate in treating herniated and degenerated disc with less than a 4% recurrence rate of your problem. It is important to realize that these are clinical tests and are not meant to predict or guarantee your treatment outcome.

Do I qualify for the DRX9000 treatment?
Many people will good candidates for DRX 9000 programs. Your case will be carefully reviewed to determine if you should undergo this form of care. Many different presentations of herniated or bulging discs, degenerative joint disease, and facet syndromes have been successfully treated.

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.

In conjunction with spinal decompression we utilize ice, exercise and core strengthening, and cold laser therapy (LLLT)

What is Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)?
LLLT is the term commonly used to describe the bio-stimulating effects of laser light. LLLT stimulates the body's natural immune and pain controlling responses. Laser light has the ability to penetrate the skin surface and increase cellular activity without damaging any tissue.

Is Low Level Laser Therapy well documented?
Yes. There are thousands of published studies demonstrating the positive effects of laser therapy. There are more than 100 double blind positive studies showing the clinical efficacy of LLLT. These studies range from wound healing to musculoskeletal conditions.

What are the physiological effects of Laser Therapy?

• Increased cellular metabolism, increased ATP production, increased cell growth.

• Proliferation of; fibroblasts, macrophages, endothelial cells, mast cells, and more

• Anti-inflammatory action - reducing swelling caused by bruising or the inflammation of joints.

• Increased vascular activity.

• Pain relief as a result of increased endorphin release.

What conditions can LLLT treat?

Chronic back and neck pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI)
Frozen Shoulder
Plantar Fasciitis
Post Herpetic Neuralgia
Brachial Neuralgia

Acute and Chronic Joint Problems
Ligament and tendon injuries
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Chrondomalacial Patella

Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains and Strains
Hematomas
Tendonitis, Tenosynovitis
Capsulitis
Bursitis
Myofascial Trigger Points, AhShi Points, & Deep APs

Skin Conditions
Herpes
Wound Healing
Apthous Ulcers
Leg Ulcers
Burns
Dermatitis
Acne
Superficial AP Stimulation and Tonification
Cosmetic
Acute Epididymitis

What are the advantages of Laser Therapy over other forms of therapy?
Laser Therapy has been shown to offer exceptional pain relieving and healing effects in comparison to various electrotherapeutic devices. It provides a practitioner a universal method of treating muscle, tendon, ligament, connective tissue, and skin tissue with one piece of equipment. Most of all, it provides the clinic with a noninvasive, drug-free treatment option.

Does it have to be a laser?
Some manufacturers produce devices with super luminous diodes (SLD) or simple light emitting diodes (LED). Monochromatic non-coherent light can be helpful for superficial wound healing, however, numerous studies have shown that lasers are far more effective due to their unique properties. Many super luminous & light emitting diode products are usually very low powered (typically 5mW-15mW), much of this energy is scattered, therefore requiring longer treatment times.

How deep into tissue can a laser penetrate?
The depth of penetration of laser light depends on the light's wavelength, the power output, and the type of driver (pulsed or continuous mode) but also the treatment technique used (scanning or contact). The higher the wavelength the deeper the penetration, however, with wavelengths greater than 930nm water within the tissue absorbs light and penetration is reduced. There is no exact limit with respect to the penetration of light. Light gets weaker the further it gets from the surface it penetrates.