Clinical studies

Herniated Disc

HERNIATED DISC – Research and clinical studies about treating Herniated Discs, Bulging Discs, Slipped Discs and other lower back issues using nonsurgical spinal decompression with IDD Therapy on the Accu-SPINA system

Oscillation & Oscillatory signaling in IDD Therapy® & the Accu-SPINA®

Full Title: A Single Session of Spinal Decompression with Oscillation and Videofluoroscopy
Author: Busch D.C., et al
Affiliation: Indiana University, Parker University
Publication: Journal of Rehabilitation Therapy

Background: Computerized spinal decompression using the intervertebral differential dynamics (IDD) therapy protocol has achieved 86–92% positive results in reducing back pain. There are many causes of back pain, and one of the most common is a degenerative disc. The etiology of a degenerative disc is not completely understood, but it can be related to acute injuries, repetitive stress, nutrition, genetic factors, and oxidative stress¹. Standard of care may include physical therapy or manipulation to introduce movement to the spinal vertebrae. IDD Therapy^® uses a calculated, sinusoidal, logarithmic primary waveform to separate the spinal vertebrae. More recent studies have shown that the addition of a secondary waveform gives a significant increase in efficacy. We observed these effects on the spine during an IDD Therapy^® session.

Learn More: IDD Therapy Advanced Spinal Decompression

The Best Non-surgical Cervical and Lumbar Pain Treatment

Full Title: The best non-surgical treatment for cervical and lumbar pain in the world
Author: Liang, Wenrui
Affiliation: Guangxu Hospital
Type: Case Study

Opening Statement: The rehabilitation medicine department of our hospital introduced the first non-surgical treatment of cervical and lumbar spondylosis “non-surgical spinal decompression system”. The system is recognized as the best non-surgical treatment system for cervical, lumbar and back pain in the world. It is a safe, painless, non-invasive and efficient non-surgical physical therapy method, which provides a new non-surgical treatment technology for patients with lumbar and cervical spondylosis. Clinical studies have shown that the success rate of this system in the treatment of patients with spine related pain is as high as 92% (cervical spine) to 93% (lumbar spine)

Learn More: IDD Therapy Advanced Spinal Decompression

Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression Effective on Neck Back Pain

Full Title: Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression an Effective Physiotherapy Modality for Neck and Back Pain
Author: Henry, D.C.
Affiliation: Sherman College
Publication: Journal of Novel Physiotherapy and Physical Rehabilitation

Background: Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a novel physiotherapy that improves on conventional traction by adding computer technology and it is commonly used along with other physiotherapy modalities. Indications include bulging or herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, facet syndrome, sciatica, neck pain and lower back pain.

The purpose of this practice-based observational study was to investigate the effectiveness of decompression for patients with radiculopathy or chronic spinal pain that failed to improve with conventional treatments….

Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle & Discs

Full Title: Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle and Disc Height in Herniated Intervertebral Disc Patients
Author: Kang Choi
Affiliation: Sehan University
Publication: Journal of Physical Therapy Science

Abstract: This study was conducted to clarify the difference in therapeutic effects between traction and decompression therapies, and their clinical therapeutic significance. The subjects were 31 patients aged 35 to 50 years who had unilateral or bilateral lumbar and radicular leg pain. An intervention program was implemented in 31 patients with lumbar herniated intervertebral disks. For the experimental group, 15 subjects were randomly selected to receive decompression therapy and trunk stabilization exercise. For the control group, 16 subjects were randomly selected to receive traction therapy and trunk stabilization exercise…

Conservative Treatment Approaches in Low Back Pain, IDD..

Full Title: Conservative Treatment Approaches in Low Back Pain, IDD Observational Study…
Author: Smith PT-MCSP
Affiliation: University of Exeter
Type: Observational Study

Introduction: A prospective outcome study was conducted on patients with chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus and facet arthropathy. Between March 2003 and January of 2004, ten physicians in private practices across the United States, with a high volume of patients with spinal disorders, participated in this study. Specialties included Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Neurology, Orthopedic, and Pain Management. Prior to entering the study, the patients were evaluated by the physician and diagnosed with a painful lumbar degenerative condition based on history and physical and appropriate imaging studies. Prior to each treatment, the patients completed an Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. The ODI scores range from 0-50. A change of more than 4 points is considered clinically meaningful. Each patient was treated for 25 min with decompression.

Article: IDD Therapy®

Author: Lansdale, DO
Affiliation: University of Exeter
Publication: Osteopathy Today

Opening Statement: Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (or IDD) Therapy was first drawn to my attention by the late osteopath, Simon Lichtenstein and his wife, Sally Lansdale, who is also an osteopath, when I bumped into them at a BOA conference in 2009. Interested in the potential of the technology and looking for a solution to Sally’s own unresolved back problems, they had just decided to invest in an IDD machine for their practice in Leominster, Herefordshire.

Knowing them to be respected “hands on” osteopaths with over 30 years’ experience (they both qualified from the BSO in the early 80s), I was curious about their decision to invest a not inconsiderable sum in something that sounded rather like a rhythmic traction device and thought it might be helpful to other osteopaths to find out more.

Long Term Effect of IDD Therapy in Low Back Pain

Full Title: Long-Term Effect Analysis of IDD Therapy in Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Clinical Pilot Study
Author: Shealy, MD,PhD
Affiliation: Duke University-Harvard Fellow
Publication: American Journal Pain Management

Abstract: An analysis of the duration effect of intervertebral differential dynamics therapy (IDD Therapy®), to ascertain the benefits of rehabilitation treatment is presented. Patients from a private practice clinic were administered IDD Therapy®. The treatment was evaluated on 33 patients (17 females), using a numeric pain scale at the first session, last session, and at one year.

IDD Therapy in Back Pain Treatment: A Clinical Trial..

Full Title: IDD Therapy in Back Pain Treatment: A Clinical Trial Comparing Key Diseases of Low Back Pain
Author: Shealy, MD,PhD
Affiliation: Duke University-Harvard Fellow
Presentation to: Southern Medical Association

Introduction: Low back pain impacts more than 65 million Americans per year and ranks second only to headaches as the most frequent cause of pain. The most common site for back pain is the lower lumbar area because it bears the most weight and stress. Even though back pain is rarely life threatening, the annual cost in terms of lost productivity, medical expenses and workers’ compensation benefits runs into the tens of billions of dollars annually in the United States.

IDD Therapy for Total Resolution after Failed Spinal Surgery

Full Title: IDD Therapy for Total Resolution of Posterior Disc Herniation after Failed Spinal Surgery
Author: Shalaby, MD
Affiliation: M.B.R. University of Medicine
Type: MRI Case Report

We studied the case of a 44-year old woman (…) with severe low back pain radiating to both lower limbs but more to the left side. She was asked by her surgeon to perform an M.R.I. which showed a large L4, L5 posterior & posterolateral disc herniation, she had an open discectomy at that time.
One year after the surgery she started to feel the pain again in the same area which gradually increased over the following two years, incapacitating her (bed bound). She was asked by her surgeon to perform a repeat discectomy with spinolaminectomy and release the adhesions. (…) She was treated with our ISYS treatment protocol, central part of this protocol is IDD Therapy®. The results show great improvement.

Technology Review: IDD Therapy

Author: Shealy,MD,PhD
Affiliation: Duke University-Harvard Fellow
Publication: Practical Pain Management

Technology & Study Overview: The author reviewed results reported from ten clinics, with a cohort of over 500 patients. Im provement rates of 65 to 88% confirm the author’s earlier findings regarding differential dynamic rehabilitation. Most importantly, the latest study demonstrates not only an average 65% decrease in pain at completion of IDD therapy, but average pain reduction of 76% one year after treatment

Current exploration of vibration, distraction, oscillation and other adjunctive mobilization adjustments offer even greater potential for the future of intervertebral differential dynamics rehabilitation.

Distraction Techniques For Lumbar Pain

Author: Ottenstein, MD
Affiliation: Hahnemann Univ. School of Medicine
Publication: Practical Pain Management

Introduction: At the dawn of the 21st century there are still a great many patients suffering from common lumbar pain syndromes. Fortunately, unlike just a few decades ago, we now have many treatments to help these patients. These treatments run the gamut from doing “nothing” (eg. bed rest or passive modalities only) to doing “every thing” (for example, open spinal surgery, discectomy, laminectomy, and/or interbody fusion).
Choosing an appropriate treatment for a particular patient, however, is a complex process. Unfortunately for all concerned, the exact diagnosis is rarely clear cut. Using only the anatomical information found on imaging studies such as MRI and CT, the physician typically has a very low probability of making the proper etiological diagnosis for lumbar pain.

MRI Evidence of Nonsurgical Repair of the Herniated Lumbar Disc

Full Title: MRI Evidence of Nonsurgical, Mechanical Reduction, Rehydration and Repair of the Herniated Lumbar Disc
Author: Eyerman, MD
Affiliation: Columbia Univ- N.I.H.
Presentation to: American Society of Neuroimaging

Abstract: Simple pelvic traction gives inconsistent relief to herniated lumbar disc sufferers. A new decompression table system applying fifteen 60-second tractions of just over one-half bod/ weight in twenty V-i hour sessions was reported to give good or excellent relief of sciatic and back pain in 86% of 14 patients with herniated discs and 73% of 8 with facet joint arthrosis. Herniated and degenerated lumbar discs can be shown at discography discomanometry to have elevated intradiscal pressures made even worse by sitting and standing, thus preventing proper disc nutrition. Therefore decompressing the over-pressurized disc should allow for healing and repair of disc prolapse, herniation and annulus tears. Serial MRI imaging of 20 patients treated with the decompression table shows in our study, over 90% reduction of subligamentous nucleus herniation in 10 of 14.

A Cost-Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain

Full Title: Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine: A Cost-Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain
Authors: Shealy,MD,PhD -Borgmeyer
Affiliation: Duke University-Harvard Fellow
Publication: American Journal of Pain Management

Introduction: Pain in the lumbosacral spine is the most common of all pain complaints. It causes loss of work and is the single most common cause of disability in persons under 45 years of age. Back pain is the most dollar-costly industrial problem. Pain clinics originated over 30 years ago, in large part, because of the numbers of chronic back pain patients. Interestingly, despite patients’ reporting good results using “upside-down gravity boots,” and commenting on how good stretching made them feel, traction as a primary treatment has been overlooked while very expensive and invasive treatments have dominated the management of low back pain.