Spinal Decompression and IDD Therapy
Spinal Decompression and IDD Therapy
One of the hallmarks of Spine Plus is that all our clinics are equipped with Spinal Decompression Therapy machines for taking pressure of damaged and degenerate spinal discs thus promoting healing and improved disc health. At our Chigwell clinic we have a particular type of spinal decompression machine called a"SDS Spina" which delivers "Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy. IDD Therapy is an advanced non-surgical treatment with an impressive track record for reducing pain in patients with damaged spinal discs who have failed to respond to manual therapy alone. We are currently one of only six clinics in the UK to offer this modality. We hope to install more IDD machines at our other clinics in the near future.
The treatment is delivered by the SPINA machine which is an FDA cleared medical device. The machine is able to tilt so that patients can get onto it from the standing position without added pain or difficulty.
Patients wear a new range of ergonomic harnesses which are connected to the pelvis and upper back.; Then a computer-controlled pulling force is gently applied at a precise angle to gradually distract (draw apart) the vertebrae surrounding a targeted disc.
Do you have persistent Spinal related pain which won't go away?
If you suffer with low back pain, neck pain, sciatica or trapped nerves in the arms and you are not making improvement with standard treatment, our IDD Therapy treatment may help you.
What is IDD Therapy?
IDD Therapy is the successful and trusted non-surgical spinal decompression treatment which is helping chronic back and neck pain sufferers to regain a normal active life.
Safe, gentle and non-invasive, IDD Therapy addresses the failings of traditional traction and the natural limitations of what clinicians can do with the hands alone.
The treatment involves the gentle distraction (drawing apart) of targeted spinal segments to remove pressure from spinal structures including the discs, and at the same time to work tight muscles and stiff ligament to help improve mobility in the joint.
With over 800 clinics internationally and more and more clinics providing treatment in the UK, Chigwell Osteopathy & Physiotherapy Clinic is proud to be the first clinic in Essex to include IDD Therapy treatment as part of their treatment services.
Why choose IDD Therapy?
If you have persistent back pain or neck pain or suffer with any of the following conditions, you may be a suitable candidate for the treatment:
- Herniated Disc (lumbar or cervical)
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Sciatica
- Chronic low back pain
To find out more phone 020 8501 0937 to book an appointment or attend one of our regular back pain open sessions.
real life case studies
The following two case sudies are the real life stories of two patients we have treated at our clinic in the past two months, they are true accounts of their experiences, nothing has been changed or exaggerated. These two cases are typical of the sorts of patients we see who can be helped by IDD therapy:
CASE 1
Rita had an opinion from two spinal surgeons both whom did not want to operate due to the risks of operating on that part of the spine and the uncertainty as to whether this would resolve her back pain. Rita did not want to have to rely on painkillers and anti-inflammatories, so she was offered physiotherapy and osteopathy which also included acupuncture, this helped manage her pain but the improvements were only temporary and she relied on regular sessions to keep her spasms at bay.
Eventually Rita was referred to a pain management specialist who performed facet joint injections and "pulsed radio frequency denervation". The latter worked brilliantly and took all her pain away - but only for 3 weeks, her symptoms then returned just as before!
It was then that Rita tried IDD therapy at our clinic. After the first session aimed at distracting her L1/2 disc she that something positive was happening. After just 3 sessions (to date) Rita was virtually pain free and for the first time in 3 years experienced no back spasms. She has been able to get back to work and doing household chores without any of her previous pain.
“My back pain problems began in 2008. At the time I was referred for physiotherapy by my GP. I was given exercises but they didn’t help much; I still had severe shooting pains in my leg. After that I tried osteopathy, this helped initially but didn’t do anything for the bouts of sciatica I experienced this year.
In April I felt worse than ever; I was in such a bad way that my wife had to help me up the stairs. A friend recommended Chigwell Osteopathy and Physiotherapy Practice.”
Clinic’s Director, Robert Shanks decided to treat Jason’s sciatic condition with a specialised programme including IDD Therapy.
After a month of treatment, Jason was virtually pain-free.
“My sciatica was so intense, at the time I didn’t think it would ever go but I feel like a different person now: I can walk properly and the pain has disappeared. I’m back at work now and I can’t wait to get back on the golf course!”
Computer-controlled treatment at precisely measured angles
As the joints are distracted, pressure is taken off the disc, joints and nerves. The targeted spinal segment is gently mobilised to create pressure differentials to help improve a flow of fluid and nutrients into the disc space.These fluids and nutrients help with healing and repair and the gentle, oscillating movement helps the joints to become lubricated and to move more freely.
Where a disc is pressing on a nerve and causing pain, this mobilisation may help the body to retract a bulging disc and thus remove or reduce the pressure and therefore relieve pain.
Our goal is to help the body move freely. Whilst we can do this with our hands most of the time, IDD Therapy gently stretches tight muscles and stiff ligaments in a manner which is not possible with the hands alone.
Working the soft tissues with the SPINA machine helps the body move more freely and as you get more mobility in the spine, this helps the body's natural healing mechanisms.
Improve joint mobility to free the body's natural healing mechanisms
IDD treatment is gentle and safe. There are built-in safety features and the aim is for you to remain as relaxed as possible; many patients actually go to sleep although we prefer that they remain awake so that they can feel the full effects of the treatment.
Each treatment on the SPINA machine lasts approximately 25 minutes; this is the time needed to work the spinal structures adequately to help bring about the physiological changes we are seeking.
Before treatment we apply infrared heat to the area to increase blood flow into the soft tissues. After treatment we apply cold packs to reduce post treatment inflammation and encourage improved collagen formation within healing discs.
IDD Therapy combined with exercise for a complete treatment programme
If you have had back or neck pain for a while certain segments of your spine may be stiff or tight, this can impede circulation and healing capacity. At the same time certain "core" muscles that support the spinal column are likely to have "switched off".
The key to a healthy spine is flexibility COMBINED with strength so as part of your IDD treatment plan our practitioners will gradually introduce specific gentle exercises and activities to promote core stability, spinal mobility, good posture, correct breathing and correct lifting techniques.
How many sessions will I need?
Depending on the extent of the problem different people require different amounts of treatment. We strongly recommend that new patients undergo a thorough initial assessment with one of our senior practitioners, including where possible discussion of MRI scan results, so that we can determine whether IDD is appropriate and if so which disc level of the spine to target. For appropriate patients improvements in symptoms are often noticed after just a couple of sessions, this happens as pressure is taken off squashed discs and pinch nerves. However, in order to achieve proper healing and long lasting therapeutic changes in the structure of a damaged spinal disc, as shown by before and after MRI scans, 5 - 20 sessions is usually recommended. The expericence of North American Medical, who developed the machine we use, is that approximately 25% of patients will require a course of 5 -10 sessions and that 75% will achieve the desired results with 15 - 20 sessions or less. We encourage new patients to commit to 5 sessions intially and then undergo a review to decide whether more sessions are desirable. After an initial course of treatment, some patients maintain the progress achieved with single infrequent top sessions a few times a year.
Initial assessment (60- 90 mins) with senior practitioner: £65
Course of 5+ sessions: £65 (per 60 min session)
Single IDD session: £70
Many patients report that as treatment progresses, their sleep patterns improve. This is very important since not only will a good nights’ sleep make you feel more refreshed but also it is an indication that the spine is becoming more relaxed (and less painful) as a result of the treatment. In its relaxed state during sleep, pressure on the discs is relieved which allows fluid and nutrients into the disc
Robert Shanks explains
"A year ago I suffered a prolapsed disc, was in pain and could not walk without the use of two walking sticks. I started daily treatment of IDD Therapy. After only one week my mobility improved greatly. I continued with my course and am now pain free and mobile again. I would highly recommend IDD Therapy my results speak for themselves." Brian D.
Clinical Director, Robert Shanks explains:
"Physical therapy such as osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy treatment is extremely effective in dealing with many forms of back pain, however there is a certain type of patient for whom manual treatments are not enough.
My introduction to spinal decompression treatment started several years ago when I looked into how I could do more for my patients with degenerative disc disease. I started experimenting using various forms of spinal distraction and immediately noticed an improvement in the outcomes of these patients. Investing in an IDD machine, the gold standard in spinal distraction therapy, was the logical next step. In my opinion nothing else can produce the same vacuum effect within the centre of a spinal disc thus improving the soaking up of fluid nutrients into disc and therefore improving healing. IDD therapy doesn't replace what we do in manual therapy - but it is an invaluable treatment tool which lets us do more for our patients.
Now we can have an advanced back pain programme combining IDD with manual therapy and rehabilitation exercise. IDD isn't a cure-all, but the results for many patients can be life changing.
For anyone suffering with a disc-related problem which does not require immediate surgical intervention, the IDD Therapy treatment programme is something worth considering."
Free open sessions
Come to one of our relaxed and informal FREE monthly open sessions to learn more about IDD Therapy and the other treatment options available at the clinic. Our next open sessions on IDD Therapy will take place at our Chigwell clinic on:
TUESDAY 7th June 2011 1pm - 2pm
FRIDAY 24th June 2011 6.30pm - 7.30 pm
To book a consultation or reserve a place at our next open session, call our Chigwell Clinic on 020 8501 0937
Get your life back on track with IDD Therapy
Our Therapies and Services
Osteopathy & PhysiotherapyHands on soft tissue and joint manipulation together with expert advice.
Sports MassageDeep tissue massage to relieve muscular tension, reduce swelling, reduce muscular fatigue etc.
Medical Acupuncture MyotherapyFor muscular Trigger Points and myofascial referred pain.
Spinal Decompression and IDD TherapyComputerized spinal distraction machines that target specific damaged discs in the lower back and neck.
RehabilitationWhen you book to see one of our our expert physios or osteopaths we can show the correct exercises to help with your problem and even send you video clip illustrations.