What is IDD Therapy?
IDD Therapy (Intervertebral Disc Decompression) is a high tech, mechanized pain reduction and healing system that was developed after many years of research and development by a team of physicians including a renowned neurosurgeon. The IDD Therapy offers an advanced technique to doctors for non-surgical treatment of the lumbar spine. The IDD System is manufactured with ultrafine components to achieve decompression.

How does it work?
Patients are fitted with unique chest and lumbar harnesses. They then step on to the loading platform where they are reclined to the supine position. The harnesses are connected to both the end of the table and Omnitower respectively. Arm supports are placed in the armpit region immobilizing the upper torso. A special air bladder located in the lumbar belt is attached to the Omnitower, which is elevated 10 to 25 degrees above the patient. The combination of angle of pull and air bladder create a fulcrum pinpointing treatment to the L1 to L5 region. The system is quickly programmed for intervals of 60 seconds decompression followed by 30 seconds of partial relaxation. The entire procedure with set up time is approximately 25 minutes.
Decompression is achieved throughout the process creating up to 200 mm of negative intradiscular pressure retracting the herniation and healing the damaged area. To promote healing and relax the patient, the IDD System is equipped with a Compact Disc Player and headphones so the patient may enjoy the music of his choice. Additionally, the system has a special blue Miata light located above the patient that also promotes relaxation. Proprioreceptor response is minimized giving patients better treatment.

Patients with acute and chronic low back pain can benefit from the IDD Therapy. Specifically, the system provides a program of treatments for relief from pain for those patients suffering with low back pain. Each treatment consists of a physician prescribed treatment on the IDD System and is designed to provide static, intermittent, and cycling distraction forces to relieve pressures on structures that may be causing low back pain. It relieves pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, posterior facet syndrome, sciatica, and other low back conditions.
It achieves these effects through decompression of intervertebral discs, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning. Studies have concluded that at some time 80% of all Americans suffer from low back pain making the IDD System a much-needed component in the treatment of low back pain.

What is the difference between the IDD System and Traction?
Traction disperses the energy of weights between the majority of spinal segments, thus reducing the actual amount of pull necessary to create negative pressure. The IDD System isolates L1 through L5 by its unique air bladder system and angle of pull. Traction does not create high negative intradiscular pressure like The IDD System. Distraction is done on a logarithmic rate eliminating a proprioreceptor response commonly found in traction. The IDD System focuses on overcoming intrinsic muscle responses of the spine by relaxing the patient.

What results can I expect?
Most patients are scheduled for 20 twenty-five minute treatments over a 4-week period. Most see relief as fast as the first 5 to 8 treatments. Pre and most treatment MRIs have shown 50% reduction in the size and extent of herniations after 4 weeks of treatments. In initial clinical studies, a full 86% of patients with disc problems reported relief with the IDD Therapy.

What clinical studies have been conducted on the IDD System?
Two studies have been conducted and published on the IDD Therapy. They are: New Concepts in Back Pain Management, and Emerging Technologies. If you would like copies, please ask. Additional studies have been conducted and are awaiting publication.

Does the IDD System have 510(K) Notification?
Yes, the IDD System has received 510(K) Notification (pre-market approval).

What medical practitioners apply this treatment?
Chiropractors, neurologists, internists, family practitioners, and multidisciplinary practices all use our treatment. The IDD System treatment is applied throughout the world.

How does it relieve pain?
Changes in intervertebral disc and facet joints of the lumbar exert pressures on vital structures resulting in pain, muscle spasm and inflammation. The IDD System relieves pressure and factors causing pain through precise, computer-controlled adjustments along the natural anatomical lines of the spinal column. It does so without applying undesirable twisting or rotational movements.

Is the IDD System treatment used after spinal surgery or contraindicated?
The application of the IDD Therapy at some point following spinal surgery is NOT contraindicated. It has been used as a follow-up therapy for patients that continue to complain of post-surgical low back pain. This "dual approach" seems to offer an advantage especially in those patients that have more than one level of herniation in which only the major segment was excised.

What are the contraindication of this treatment?
The IDD System is an inherently safe procedure that can be used, without complications, for a wide variety of anatomical dysfunctions of the lumbar spine, which are commonly associated with low back pain and sciatica. The contraindications are pathological lesions or congenital deformities of the vertebral column that disrupt the integrity of the vertebral and ligamental structures, such as fractures, neoplasm, gross osteoporosis or spina bifida; and progressive pathological or inflammatory processes of the spinal joints or muscles.

Follow-up Therapy: How often is it required and how beneficial is it?
Experience has shown that the vast majority of patients who recover on the IDD Therapy generally remain in remission. However, some individuals whose lifestyle or work environment tend to expose them to higher risk factors, have found that a maintenance program consisting of a Spina treatment session every one or two weeks, offers a measure of protection against disabling exacerbations of their low back pain syndrome. Patients in this category usually develop their own rhythm of maintenance visits that keeps them free of problems.

During and after treatment, is attitude an important factor?
Absolutely! In fact, and interesting phenomenon has been observed in relation to a patient's attitude toward back problems. The reassurance gained from the knowledge that they can readily be helped, along with their decreased fear of being incapacitated, reduces most individual's anxiety about their low back pain.