Spinal Decompression and IDD Therapy

Our interest in spinal decompression evolved from a desire to do more for patients stuck in the "no man's land" of being on the one hand inappropriate for spinal surgery yet on the other hand finding manual therapy, exercises, injections and denervations were not providing a complete solution. A typical patient would be someone who had suffering for more than 3 months with back pain, neck pain, sciatica or arm nerve pain due to a worn, dehydrated or herniated disc.

Spinal Decompressions works by using precise pulling forces to safely and gently stretch segments of the spine in a longitudinal direction, a process known as distraction. The main therapeutic effect of this is to create a vacuum effect within the middle of the disc which can help reduce disc bulging, draw fluid and nutrients into the disc and encourage redydration. These MRI pictures shows the before and after effects from a six week course of treatment....here before the treatment the disc is seen to be bulging pressing on the adjacent nerve....and here, after, the disc bulge is reduced so that pressure is removed from the nerve, there disc is more hydrated and has gained some height...which will have the added benefit of helping to unload the facet joints at that segment..The relief in pressure on painful tissues will also help reduce muscle spasm and improve mobility so that you are up and about moving more freely, without pain, back doing the the things you want within a 6 - 8 week course of treatment. You are treated fully clothed and just sit back and relax with the machine doing all the work.

Spinal Decompression has a number of feature making it more advanced than traditional traction. The main one being the use of precise angles to target specific discs. For example for an L45 herniated disc we use a 10o angle of pull, for an L5/S1 herniated disc we use a 5o angle....

Furthermore, the IDD range of Spinal Decompression machines that we use have a powerful on board computer that enable two further advanced features. The first of these is the patented oscillatiory pull during the high tension phases of the treatment. The second feature is the machines ability to monitor any resistance from the patients tissue - as shown the plotting of this red line here. You can see here that at the end of this patients treatment session the blue and red line are converging indicating the desired relaxation and stretch in the tissues has been achieved. This feature helps plan and modify pulling force used during a course of treatments.

Running alongside our IDD program we offer a clinical Pilates program where by patients perform core strengthening exercises at home, backed up by sessions of medical acupuncture, spinal mobilisation and spinal massage, as and where required... The aim is that you achieve healthier discs and a more flexible, stronger spine with better posture and better knowledge of how to sit and lift properly without injuring yourself again.

Since having our first IDD machine installed at our Chigwell clinic in 2011, this exciting new technology has surpassed our expectations. We've achieved some amazing results and been able to help many more patients who had previously not responded to other treatments. For many IDD spinal Decompression has proved to be an effective non-invasive alternative to spinal surgery...whilst for others who have undergone spinal surgery our combined IDD & physical therapy programs have formed part of effect post surgical rehabilitation.

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

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 have the best of long term healing in the disc and lasting symptom improvement a course of 20 sessions is usually recommended. Research and trials undertaken by North American Medical, who developed the machine, is that approximately 25% of patients require a course of up to 10 sessions and that 75% need 15 - 25 sessions. We encourage new patients to commit to a minimum of 10 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. Before embarking on a course of IDD therapy we strongly encourage an initial assessment with one of our senior therapists.

Fees:

Per 60 min IDD session at our Chigwell Clinic: £75 (£70 for block of ten or more)

Per 60 min session at our Harley Street Clinic: £85 (£80 for block of ten or more)

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

What is the evidence for base For idd

IDD Therapy has featured in many scientific studies, see references below:

Shealy CN and Borgmeyer V. Decompression, Reduction and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A Cost-Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain. American Journal of Pain Management 1997. 7:63-65

Eyerman EL. Simple Pelvic Traction Gives Inconsistent Relief to Herniated Lumbar Disc Sufferers. Presented to the American Society of Neuorimaging and printed in the Journal of Neuroimaging Vol. 8 No. 2 1998.

Schimmel JJ, de Kleuver M, Horsting PP, Spruit M, Jacobs WC, van Limbeek J. No effect of traction in patients with low back pain: a single centre, single blind, randomized controlled trial of Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy. Eurospine Journal 2009 Dec 18 (12): 1843-1850

C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, Nirman Koladia, MD, and Merrill M. Wesemann, LONG-TERM EFFECT ANALYSIS OF IDD THERAPY IN LOW BACK PAIN: A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL PILOT STUDY. American Journal of Pain Management Vol. 15 No. 3 July 2005

McClure D and Farris B, Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy – A New Direction for the Initial Treatment of Low Back Pain. European Musculoskeletal Review 2006. 45-48.

Schaufele MK, Newsome M. Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Phys Med Rehab Kuror 2011; 21: 34 – 40

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