-Stabilization therapy is an effective treatment for:

• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc
• Facet syndrome
• Sciatica
• Post-surgical patients
• Spinal Stenosis

Do you have a herniated disc, multiple herniated discs, degenerative
disc disease, facet syndrome, or any other type of spinal problem? Is
your doctor suggesting surgery, Pain Management, or Physical Therapy?
Have you tried Chiropractic and just could not get enough relief? Come
to Arizona Chiropractic Center and try out the Decompression Traction
System (Triton DTS).

Research indicates the disc is responsible for a significant number of
Lumbar/Leg pain and neck/arm pain syndromes. Compression increases
intradiscal pressure leading to annular compromise and possible
extrusion of nuclear material.

Since the disc is an avascular structure, it doesn't receive fresh
blood and oxygen with every beat of the heart. It requires "diffusion"
created by motion and 'decompression' to restore nutrients and enhance
healing.

Decompression is defined as reduction in pressure (intradiscal).
Recumbent positions (both prone and supine) decrease intradiscal
pressures in comparison to standing and sitting. However focused,
axial mechanical+Y translation traction, (creating 'decompression'
i.e. unloading due to distraction and positioning) has been shown to
reduce disc pressure and enhance the healing response even further.

There is some suggestion in the literature that extruded nuclear
material may be "drawn in" by the reduction of intradiscal pressures.
This concept however is not uniformly accepted since the length of
time the material stays 'drawn in' has not been established in
controlled studies. However, a temporary reduction in intradiscal
pressure can still have a profound effect on the healing process via
increased contact with the blood supply and fibroblast migration (so
called phasic effects). This is in addition to the pain relief created
neurologically by stretching soft tissue (e.g. stretch receptors,
mechanoreceptors etc.) make decompression therapy a logical and viable
addition to a "passive" pain care regiment.

Clinically it is important to establish criteria both in the
utilization of Decompression therapy and in defining its utility. (As
with many therapies, hyperbole and overstatement are common.) Axial
Decompression (both lumbar and cervical) is first and foremost a
"passive" therapy and as such has definite limitations in "curing" a
chronic musculoskeletal condition. Its value is most specific in
helping referral pain not solely low back or acute low back pain
(symptoms for which manipulation has proven beneficial).

Loss of local muscle control, abnormal posture and alterations in
spinal curves are the probable underlying source of most spinal
'compression' and degeneration. Therefore a "passive" therapy has
little effect in truly fixing the underlying problem.

However, that being said, Decompression therapy (done safely within
established protocols and a clear understanding of it's limitations)
can often effectively enhance the healing process and render quick,
effective and often amazing pain relief in a properly selected patient
population (many who have previously failed other treatments).
Additionally it may also be very useful in determining the overall
prognosis of passive care and expediting the phase-in of rehab
protocols.

Indications and Use

Any non-acute (>1 week) low back or neck pain syndrome not related to
a disease process, canal stenosis or acute strain/sprain injury is
theoretically treatable by decompression. Disc and facet pain can
often be relieved by early intervention with decompression. The acute
inflammation of injuries however should be reduced by other means, in
most cases, prior to beginning Decompression. Contraindications are
similar to manipulative therapy, however since mechanical stretch
creates no impact, mild to moderate Osteoporosis may not be
contraindicated. (This holds true overall for frail and elderly
patients who could potentially be injured by manipulative thrusts.
Disc fragmentation, calcification, severe arthritis and any surgical
spinal appliances are all relative contraindications.

Our clinical findings suggest Decompression will create a relatively
quick initial response. Patients who will do well tend to feel a sense
of relief (which can be direct pain cessation or a centralization of
pain and/or reduction to an ache or stiffness) within six sessions.
Full relief, if attainable through this passive treatment will usually
be in 8-12 sessions. (Occasionally a 'stubborn' pain syndrome may
continue to improve slowly over 15+ sessions though this is not the
norm). Often patients will be treated 4-6 sessions and notice enough
relief to allow active rehab to begin. Their Decompression may
continue (pre or post rehab depending on the methods chosen) for 4-6
further sessions before discontinuing or reducing the frequency.

Typical frequency is 3-5 times per week. The extent and seriousness of
the symptoms will determine if more than three sessions per week
should be utilized. Our experience suggests Decompression is also an
excellent supportive or maintenance treatment for those cases where
pain relief is marked but prone to exacerbations.

The Triton DTS represents the finest Decompression Traction System
available today. Cervical, lumbar, and wrist Decompression Traction
can be delivered utilizing the Triton DTS in a controlled and proven
method.

Decompression therapy is very affordable and cheaper than surgery.
Spinal Traction is highly recommended by Neurological Research. It was
found that out of 778 cases of patients receiving spinal decompression
92% said that they showed improvement (Neurological Research; Volume
20, Number 3, April 1998).

Spinal Disc Decompression, utilizing
Decompression-Reduction-Stabilization, is a unique, non-surgical
therapy developed for the treatment of chronic lower back pain,
herniated discs and degenerative disc diseases.

The Decompression-Reduction-Stabilization therapy is an effective treatment for:

• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc
• Facet syndrome
• Sciatica
• Post-surgical patients
• Spinal stenosis

The Spinal Decompression Table in conjunction with additional
modalities effectively relieves the pain and disability resulting from
disc injury and degeneration, by repairing damaged discs and reversing
dystrophic changes in nerves. Spinal Disc Decompression addresses the
functional and mechanical aspects of discogenic pain and disease
through non-surgical decompression of lumbar intervertebral discs.
Studies verify the significant reduction of intradiscal pressures into
the negative range, to approximately minus 150 mm/HG, which result in
the non-surgical decompression of the disc and nerve root.
Conventional traction has never demonstrated a reduction of
intradiscal pressure to negative ranges; on the contrary - many
traction devices actually increased intradiscal pressure, most likely
due to reflex muscle spasm. The Decompression Table is designed to
apply distraction tension to the patient's lumbar spine without
eliciting reflex paravertebral muscle contractions.

By significantly reducing intradiscal pressure, Spinal Disc
Decompression promotes retraction of the herniation into the disc and
facilitates influx of oxygen, proline and other substrates. The
promotion of fibro elastic activity stimulates repair and inhibits
leakage of irritant sulphates and carboxylates from the nucleus. The
most recent trial sought to correlate clinical success with MRI
evidence of disc repair in the annulus, nucleus, facetjoint and
foramina as a result of treatment and found that reduction of disc
herniation ranged between 10% and 90% depending on the number of
sessions performed, while annulus patching and healing was evident in
all cases.

The most recent clinical study of 778 patients has showed that Disc
Decompression Therapy was more than 70% successful in the treatment of
herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, and
sciatica. In this same study, 92% of patients had a reduction in their
pain of at least one point on the 0 to 5 scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical, comfortable traction
therapy for the relief of back and leg pain or neck and arm pain.
During this procedure, by cycling through distraction and relaxation
phases and by proper positioning, a spinal disc can be isolated and
placed under negative pressure, causing a vacuum effect within it.

What can this vacuum effect do?

The vacuum effect accomplishes two things. From a mechanical
standpoint, disc material that has protruded or herniated outside the
normal confines of the disc can be pulled back within the disc by the
vacuum created within the disc. Also, the vacuum within the disc
stimulates in growth of blood supply, secondarily stimulating a
healing response. This results in pain reduction and proper healing at
the injured site.

What machine is used for this purpose?

There are a number of spinal decompression machines presently used in
the United States. After significant research, Arizona Chiropractic
Center has chosen to use the Triton DTS machine manufactured by
Chattanooga, Inc., the premier manufacturer of physical therapy
machines.

Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is designed to unload the spinal disc.
Any back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged
disc may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. These conditions
include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis,
sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched nerves).

Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression is not indicated?

Spinal decompression therapy is usually not recommended for pregnant
women, or patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or
severe nerve damage. It is not recommended for patients over 70.
However, every patient is evaluated on an individual basis. Spinal
surgery with instrumentation (screws and metal plates or "cages") is
also contraindicated. Surgery to the discs without fusion or fusion
using bony replacement is not contraindicated.

How often do I take treatment sessions? How long does each session last?

Sessions include decompression therapy and, depending on which phase
of treatment you are in, you will also receive spinal stabilization
exercises and possibly a specific spinal adjustment. The sessions may
take anywhere from 25 minutes to an hour. Spinal decompression is
usually performed 3-5 times a week for 15-20 sessions.

What are the results of Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Over 70% of patients have good pain relief. This success rate is
similar to surgical results.

I have had spinal surgery, but continue to have pain. Can I try
Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy can help people with back pain after
failed spinal surgery. It can be performed in most patients who have
not been left with an unstable spine after surgery.

How can I be scheduled for Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Simply call our office at 623.512.4040 and tell the receptionist that
you are interested in decompression therapy. An initial consultation
can usually be scheduled within 24 hours.