Many patients who visit the Arizona Back Institute are given a diagnosis of degenerative disc diseas prior to them ever coming to our facility. Many are told it is a natural byproduct of aging, others are told it is not the cause of their pain. The truth is it may very well be the cause of their pain and even though it is associated with older patients it by no means is normal.

There has always been a problem in identifying the exact pain generator in back or neck pain. Many doctors have their own theories and many treat and categorize patients accordingly. The research shows a very strong probability that the disc is the primary generator of pain and discomfort.

That being said, a degenerative disc can and usually is a source of pain, it may not hurt all the time, but when inflamed or irritated it can in fact cause quite a bit of discomfort not only in the lower back or neck but also in the arm or leg. According to many doctors there is nothing that can be done about a degenerative disc, but a recent study done on the DRX9000 spinal decompression system showed significant improvement in disc height after treatment.

To put that into perspective as a disc loses hydration it begins to lose height and collapse, as it does so it narrows the opening where the nerves exit and can cause symptoms like sciatica, arm or leg pain. The disc loses water content due to micro trauma, or leaks in the disc that decrease the discs ability to maintain adequate hydration.

Spinal decompression is the only treatment that can naturally help discs heal, and the treatment is associated with a long term benefit. If you would like to learn more about spinal decompression call the Arizona Back Institute today and get scheduled for a free consultation. Call 480-503-3344 or log on to www.ArizonaBackInstitute.com for more information.

This recent interview was posted on Spine Universe:

W. Robert Hudgins, MD
Neurosurgeon
Neurological Surgeons of Dallas
Dallas, TX

In this interview, W. Robert Hudgins, MD, explains what motivated him to choose the DRX9000 for his practice, his experience using the equipment, as well as patient outcomes.

Dr. Hudgins, why did you opt to try the DRX9000 in your practice?
I’d have to say, it had a lot to do with the failure of general traction, and sometimes physical therapy, in the treatment of back pain.  General traction has been used for many years as a conservative back pain therapy.  The drawback to general traction is it cannot exert adequate pull on the lumbar spine to really do much good.  When the DRX9000 was introduced to me, I was intrigued by the science and technical aspects of its controlled spinal decompression therapy. 

Unlike conventional traction, the DRX9000 exerts adequate forces to distract vertebrae to create negative pressure within disc spaces to decompress the spine.  It simply makes sense and the DRX9000 was the equipment I found to have worked out a complete system out to accomplish spinal decompression.

Why do you say ‘sometimes physical therapy’ fails?
I’m not discrediting physical therapy by any means, but some back pain patients are not compliant with the demands of a PT program.  Unfortunately, for some, physical therapy is not successful.  There are many reasons besides issues related to pain that prevent patients from doing well in PT.  Some back pain patients need rest to help alleviate symptoms, which the DRX9000 provides.  The DRX9000 does not replace physical therapy, but is an adjunctive treatment.  Patients learn how to exercise to build strength and flexibility, as well as biomechanics for injury prevention.

What is involved in DRX9000 treatment?
In treating a low back problem, such as a bulging disc, the patient is positioned on the table, secured into place by means of a vest with under arm support to prevent the body from sliding downward.  A belt is affixed about the waist.  The treatment duration, amount of pull (in pounds), and decompression angle are entered into the computer.  The computer uses the data to calculate a slow progression to maximum pull while alternating pulling and relaxing.  A typical treatment lasts 20- to 30-minutes.  Varying the angle of decompression (pull) adjusts the force through the target disc level.  Angle variation cannot be effectively accomplished by means of conventional traction.

The amount of pull, or pounds; how is that calculated?
It depends on the patient’s condition.  Generally, I start with one-half of the patient’s weight minus 20-pounds.  For example, a 200-pound patient would start therapy at a maximum of 80-pounds of pull.  As treatment is tolerated, the amount of pull may be gradually increased to half the body weight plus 10-pounds.  As a rule, I start with the lower amount of pull and gradually increase. 

Do patient’s experience immediate or gradual pain relief?
It is variable.  A few patients have reported after 3 or 4 treatments they already feel much better.  However, for the treatment to be most effective, a full 3 to 4 weeks is recommended. 

Are other treatments combined with DRX9000 therapy?
Yes.  Patients receive electrical stimulation and mechanical massage after each treatment to prevent or reduce stiffness and muscle spasm.  Depending on the patient’s spinal disorder, they are instructed to wear a brace, which is discontinued after the program.

What spinal disorders do you treat using the DRX9000?
It is interesting and perhaps self-defeating that many of the patients referred to me for spine surgery, are successfully treated with spinal decompression.  These patients include those with bulging and herniated discs and degenerated discs.  Certain spinal problems such as spondylolisthesis, stenosis, and arthritis are not appropriate for decompression.  The key is careful patient evaluation and selection. 

I’m a strong believer in nonsurgical therapy before approaching surgery.  Of course, some patients, such as someone with drop foot, may require immediate surgery.      

Is the patient’s age a factor?
Generally, no.  Two cases come to mind.  The first is an active male in his early 30s who enjoys golf and tennis.  He presented as a surgical referral with a herniated disc.  However, he didn’t want surgery.  The second case is an older female, a hospital tech who suffered back pain for 3 years.  Both patients wanted to try the DRX9000 instead of surgery.  Both continue to do well years after decompression treatment and without surgery.   

Does this mean results are permanent?
I’ve used the DRX9000 since 2000 and have followed my patients.  In general, 2 out of 3 low back pain and 3 out of 4 neck pain patients obtain excellent relief.  About 75-80% of my patients continue to do well.  I estimate 20-25% return with pain and ask to be treated again; a few may require surgery.  In my experience, the majority of patients are pleased with their outcome.

What is the learning curve to use the DRX9000?
About 3 days of training is necessary.  When my practice obtained its first DRX9000, my PA and I administered therapy to all patients.  Once we were familiar with the equipment, and the number of patients grew, we hired a dedicated tech to administer DRX9000 therapy.  Belt placement to prevent slippage during treatment is an art, but not difficult to learn.

We’d like to know how many patients your practice has treated using the DRX9000?
To date, nearly 800.  Patient evaluation and selection is important to treatment success using the DRX9000.  Just as every patient is not a surgical candidate, not all patients with a back or neck problem are candidates for spinal decompression.

Thank you Dr. Hudgins.
You are welcome.

For more information on Spinal Decompression go to www.arizonabackinstitute.com

The DRX9000™ was created to provide relief of LBP (low back pain) caused by herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and facet syndrome. A new case report underwritten with a grant from Axiom Worldwide is now featured in Volume 3, Issue 1 of the US Musculoskeletal Review 2008. The case study titled, Management of Discogenic Low-back Pain with a Non-surgical Decompression System (DRX9000™)- Case Report, reveals the pre- and post-MRI findings of a 31-year old male with a history of low back pain. Prior to treatment with the DRX9000, an MRI of the lumbar spine revealed a left paracentral disc extrusion at L5/S1 that was compressing and displacing the left S1 nerve root. In addition, degenerative disc disease was noted at L4/5 and L5/S1. The patient also reported an overall pain level of 9 on a 0-10 scale. The patient underwent 27 treatments on the DRX9000 over a seven-week period and at his final treatment he reported a pain level of 3 that occurred only 30% of the time. Follow-up MRI “demonstrated a dramatic decrease in the size of the disc lesion as well as the compression placed on the left S1 nerve root.” The authors conclude, “Clinical and imaging data continue to emerge providing further validation of the safe and effective treatment of disc-related LBP utilizing the DRX9000.”

This case study was underwritten by a grant from Axiom Worldwide. Axiom Worldwide’s referencing the presentation of the study should not be construed to mean that Axiom Worldwide represents that the study establishes any conclusive success rate or the efficacy of the device. The information is offered simply to demonstrate the exciting activity ongoing with the DRX9000. As always, individual patient’s experiences with the DRX9000 may vary and patients should always consult with their physician to determine whether treatment on the DRX9000 makes sense for them.

Axiom Worldwide manufactures and distributes its flagship products, the DRX9000 True Non-surgical Spinal Decompression System™, DRX9000C™, and DRX9500™ in medical markets around the globe. Axiom also manufactures a digital electroceutical device, the EPS8000™, for use in relieving pain and for use in muscular rehabilitation. Axiom prides itself on providing safe, non-surgical alternatives that patients should consider prior to undergoing surgery.

For more information on the DRX9000 and the nonsurgical treatment of lower back and neck pain visit www.ArizonaBackInstitute.com

In the treatment of lower back pain and neck pain one thing is clear, nobody agrees on the cause, the structures involved or the best treatment. Unlike most areas of medicine the back pain world is filled with various providers and their own way of doing things. Here at the Arizona Back Institute we combine the best of all the approaches into one single treatment program. Each patient has a team of Medical doctors, chiropractors and therapists all working together for your benefit.

The joining of specialties gives you the best chance of recovery with the best long term outcomes. The problem has always been that the more chronic back or neck pain becomes the more structures are involved. It may start out as a disc problem, then it becomes a muscle weakness problem, then a facet or joint problem etc, etc ,etc. Therefore if all of these conditions are not treated at once you are left with one problem or another still unresolved because it was not addressed.

Our program usually consists of treatments like spinal decompression with the DRX9000, spinal rehabilitation with MEDX technology, interventional pain management to help bring the pain levels down so the other treatments can work and soft tissue and muscle work with Active Release Technique. That way the patient leaves our clinic with a back that is stronger and healthier then even before the injury.

So if you want a complete solution to your back and neck pain and like the team approach call us today at 480-503-3344 or go online to www.arizonabackinstitute.com

In todays medical world many things are passed off as unscientific or experimental for many years until one day doctors have no choice but accept them as standard of care and admit they work.  One of those things is Spinal Decompression for lower back pain, neck pain and sciatica.

 Recently Axiom Worldwide the manufacturer of the DRX9000 announced that during “Pain Week” in Las Vegas two studies were going to be unveiled. One was a study with contributors from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins and Stanford Medical School to name a few. This study showed such promise that the Mayo Clinic in North Scottsdale is actually going to get a DRX9000 for research.

As the director of a clinic that has been doing spinal decompression for over 10 years I found that very exciting. I called the doctor from the Mayo Clinic associated with the study and he confirmed that yes the research is promising and they were in fact obtaining a DRX9000 to further investigate the clinic effectiveness of spinal decompression. I went on to tell him about the thousands of patients that we have seen here at The Arizona Back Institute that got better with decompression when all else failed. He was very positive about the outcomes he was expecting to get. It’s really about time some of the major teaching institutions got involved to further the proof that decompression works. It is certainly a step in the right direction.

For more information go to www.ArizonaBackInstitute.com