Frequently Asked Questions

A. Vertebral Axial Decompression, or VAX-D for short, offers a first choice noninvasive therapy for patients with disabling low back pain. Advances in medical technology have led to the development of the VAX-D Table.

VAX-D applies clinically proven principles to relieve pressure on vital structures of the lumbar spine that may be causing low back pain and peripheral pain associated with herniated lumbar discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, nerve compression and posterior facet syndrome. VAX-D is non-surgical and is an inherently safe procedure that is not just aimed at treating symptoms but is designed to alleviate the underlying problems that cause low back pain.

 A. VAX-D utilizes a patented hand grip method of restraining the upper body while the pelvic harness is secured on the patient and attached to the moveable tensionometer housing. The divided table provides for progressive distraction of the spine under controlled parameters determined by the computer logic controlled system. Decompression is achieved in the patient from the tenth thoracic vertebra through the lumbar spine to the sacrum. Changes in Intervertebral discs and facet joints of the lumbar spine exert pressures on vital structures resulting in pain, muscle spasms and inflammation. The VAX-D Table relieves pressure and the factors causing pain through precisely controlled adjustments along the natural anatomical lines of the spinal column. it does so without applying undesirable twisting or rotational movements to the lumbar spine.

 A. Yes! VAX-D has been proven to be equivalent to surgery in decompressing the lumbar spine in both clinical and major hospital studies and is not experimental. Radiological research studies were carried out in which fluoroscopic videos of patients with a myelogram were recorded while patients were undergoing VAX-D. Distraction of intervertebral lumbar spaces was observed on VAX-D, and the filling defect of a myelogram from a herniated disc was decreased. Films were obtained showing a myelogram displacement from a herniated disc at L4-5 change from a convex image of disc bulge to a concave image, created by decompressing the intradiscal space during VAX-D.

A. The greatest amount of intervertebral distraction and subsequent spinal decompression is achieved at the L4-5 disc space and decreases gradually toward the upper and lower levels of the spinal column. Intradiscal pressure measurements on patients undergoing VAX-D have shown that the extent of decompression in this area is in the negative 150 mm Hg. range. The relationship between the amount of tension applied and the changes in the intradiscal pressure follows a polynomial equation, with the threshold level being where the intradiscal pressure changes from a positive pressure to negative pressure. This relationship and the precise control provided by the VAX-D Table enables the VAX-D Technician to provide the maximum decompression to the level of the spine lumber.

A. The majority of patients with herniated discs at one or more levels, with or without sciatic involvement, achieve remission of disabling symptoms sufficient to return to functional levels of activities with a course of VAX-D. Most patients with degenerated discs also experience relief of pain and disability with a course of treatment but many require a maintenance program to remain in remission. Posterior facet syndrome readily responds to VAX-D. A recent study of over nine hundred patients showed VAX-D  to be successful in 75% of cases.