What Is Vax-D “VAX-D” stands for vertebral axial decompression -- a non-surgical, non-invasive, spinal decompression, medical treatment for a number of low back disc conditions, including herniated, bulging, ruptured discs, degenerative disc disease, annular tears, sciatica, internal disc disruption IDD), and post-operative scar tissue (called “failed back syndrome”).
How Does VAX-D Work VAX-D is a 30 minute treatment delivered by a certified physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, or VAX-D technician supervised by one of our doctors or therapists and involves a table and a computer. During a treatment, you wear a pelvic girdle, and lay on the VAX-D table. The girdle attaches at the foot of the table, and you hold on to handles at the head of the table. During a treatment you experience a strong, not painful, stretch of your lumbar spine. The stretch lasts for a minute; then you rest for a minute; then a stretch for a minute – and it cycles like that, pull/rest, pull/rest, for ½ an hour. During treatment, intradiscal pressures reduce to negative levels in the range of –100 to –150 mm Hg. The significantly lowered intradiscal pressure creates something like suction within the disc, which then pulls the herniation or bulge back into the disc. This suction also pulls fluid and nutrient cells into the disc which help to re-hydrate the disc and enables it to heal.
Where Did it Come From VAX-D® was invented in the early 1980's by Allan Dyer, M.D., Ph D and former Minister of Health in Ontario Canada. Dr. Dyer also did the pioneering research that led to the creation of the ventricular defibrillator used to get a heart that has stopped to beat again.
Is it cleared for marketing by the FDA Yes. Since 1989 VAX-D has been registered as a class 2, non-experimental, medical procedure by the Division of Surgical and Rehabilitative Medicine of the FDA. Its 510K registration is for “decompression of the vertebral discs and facet joints, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning.”
Effectiveness Of Vax-D
How Effective Is It To date there have been fifteen publications on VAX-D. Eight are studies published in juried medical journals. All report that VAX-D was effective for 75-80% of the patients treated. In most cases, chronic low back conditions are resolved within 20-30 treatments. Our VAX-D treatments may be combined with other non-surgical treatments offered at Care Medical Center to improve your results. Many times patients will also undergo physical therapy, trigger point therapy, electrotherapy, or pain management treatments to speed up your recovery. This combination of Vax-D and other in-house therapies to improve your condition is only offered at Care Medical Center.
If It Is So Effective, Why Hasn't My Doctor Heard About it VAX-D is a relatively new medical procedure. The therapy has worked for thousands of patients, and over 3000 patients per day, worldwide, are now being treated. Awareness of VAX-D is growing rapidly as physicians and healthcare providers learn about it and the phenomenal results it has achieved. As a result, VAX-D is now becoming the standard of care for chronic low back pain.
Injuries That Vax-D treats
Can Anyone Do VAX-D Almost. You have to qualify medically, and the small percentage of people who have the following conditions do not:
• Tumors • Fractures • Advanced Osteoporosis • Certain conditions (diseases) that compromise the structural integrity of the spine and discs.
In addition, VAX-D is not prescribed for pregnant women.
If I Have Had Surgery Can I Still Have VAX-D Having back surgery does not prevent you from having VAX-D unless you have fixed surgical hardware used to fuse the spine. Clinical studies show that VAX-D provides relief for patients who have had one or more back surgeries and Failed Back Syndrome.
Vax-D treatment information
How Often Are The Treatments Treatments are scheduled 3-5 days a week, and take less than one hour. Our treatment hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00pm, making it possible for patients traveling from the suburbs to fit treatments into their schedules.
Do Treatments Interfere With Work Many patients continue being fully productive while receiving VAX-D treatments. Studies show that patients who do miss work usually return to work more quickly than those treated with other types of conservative care or surgery.
Vax-D vs. other treatments
What Is The VAX-D Approach To Treating Back Pain All patients are given a careful clinical evaluation and diagnosis, including a review and/or analysis of x-rays, MRI’s or other films by Board certified physicians and physical therapists, in order to achieve a clear diagnosis and determine whether or not the patient qualifies for VAX-D treatments.
Qualified patients are given VAX-D treatments plus any additional necessary physical therapy or nutritional support by certified staff, monitored by physicians. All patient progress is monitored on a daily basis, and re-examinations are given at appropriate times. When necessary, and when prescribed by a staff physician, we also use other clinic resources such as chiropractic and/or physical therapy interventions and/or modalities. Finally, upon successfully completing VAX-D treatments, when necessary, patients are taught appropriate exercises by one of our 6 staff physical therapists.
How Is It Different From Traction The main difference between VAX-D and traction is function. VAX-D decompresses the disc by reducing intradiscal pressures so low that extruded disc tissue is pulled back into the disc. The low intradiscal pressure also causes an infusion of fluid and nutrient cells. That is what makes it so effective. VAX-D is the only process that has been found in clinical research to lower disc pressure to negative levels.
Studies published on conventional traction, on the other hand, demonstrate that pressures within the discs stayed the same, were not lowered and, in some instances, were actually elevated.
How Is It Different From Other Similar Devices There area many copy cat devices that claim to be the same as VAX-D but actually are not. They go by different names, including: DRX, DRS, Lordex, and Spinex. They are traction devices that can stretch the lower back, but they have not demonstrated the ability to lower intradiscal pressures. Traction tables have a small electric wench that attaches to the head of the table. A rope and pulley are then attached to either a cervical device or lumbar belts. Either static or intermittent traction modes can be chosen, but neither have been shown to reduce intradiscal pressure. Only VAX-D has clinically demonstrated this.
How Does Vax-D Compare with Surgery For those who can do it, VAX-D is better than surgery. The trouble with surgery is that is physically alters the spine by removing all or part of the problematic disc. Although this can reduce the pressure on the nerve, and relieve the back pain, the surgery may place more stress on the healthy discs above and below. Complications from surgery can be severe and may result in debilitating conditions. Clinical Studies show that VAX-D is not only a safe alternative to surgery, but also successful in about 8 out of 10 cases.
Is it the same as Chiropractic No. VAX-D® is physical medicine. While it is within the scope of practice for a chiropractor, it is nothing like a chiropractic adjustment and is not considered a chiropractic procedure. Physical therapy and nutrition are similarly used. All serve as an indication of our commitment to tailoring treatment to the particular needs of each patient.
