Lower back pain and lower extremity pain often get put into one category, but the causes-and therefore the treatments-can be different. Lower extremity pain, when it radiates from the lower back, is usually the result of pressure on a nerve. The pain is often in the distribution which the nerve supplies. Low back pain, however, is often related to the mechanics of the spine. Muscle strain, arthritis, trauma, osteoporosis and fracture are often causes. Disease processes that cause lower extremity pain can also cause low back pain, and vice versa.   « less

After your initial consultation, you should check with your insurer, since coverage varies by medical plans.

Your initial appointment will include a free consultation with the doctor, and a complete back and neck pain case history and evaluation, to determine if you are a good candidate for this type of treatment. You'll get a demonstration of the treatment, plus a "recommended action plan" to take home.   « less

Patients typically undergo 15 to 20 treatments, each of which lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the patient's initial evaluation. Following each treatment, a cold pack and electric muscle stimulation are applied to help pain relief and speed the healing process. Some patients get substantial, immediate relief after just a few treatments. Most important, this is not a process you should have to continue for the rest of you life.    « less

Patients use the DRX 9000 machine. An automatic shoulder support system is fitted onto the patient, who is then lowered into a horizontal position, lying face-up. The shoulder support system helps stabilize the upper body. A computer adjusts to the proper angle of distraction, and an "air bladder" system acts as a fulcrum to the angle of the pull, allowing staff to target specific discs that are causing pain and symptoms. Patients describe the treatment as a gentle, painless, intermittent pulling on the back. Many actually fall asleep during the treatment.   « less

Over the years, NASA began to notice an unexpected result of space travel-Astronauts that left with back pain would come back feeling relief from their pain. What they discovered was during the anti-gravity state of the mission there were decompressive forces on the intervertebral discs and back pain was relieved.   « less

Consider non-surgical spinal decompression. There's no surgery or drugs involved. According to a study published in Orthopedic Technology review, the decompression method provides good-to-excellent results for 86 percent of patients with symptoms associated with herniated and/or bulging discs.   « less

Medical evaluation and diagnostic testing procedures should be performed prior to beginning any treatment so that you can get the process that will be most effective.   « less