A Look Into VAX-D, A Spinal Decompression Machine

spinal stenosis

In 1985, Dr. Allan Dyer, PhD, MD pioneered non-surgical spinal decompression therapy and in 1991, he was able to develop VAX-D, the world's first non-surgical spinal decompression table. The first VAX-D made use of a pneumatically-driven system and traction force to produce a negative pressure in the disks and reduce muscle spasms, respectively.

The year 2004 saw the introduction of the VAX-D Genesis 2 Lumbar Treatment System by VAX-D Medical Technologies, which contains precise electronic equipment and an on-board computer control system that keeps track of decompression and relaxation cycles with a logarithmic decompression curve.

How Does It Work?

During every day routines, the lumbar spine pressure can go as high as 180 mm Hg and the VAX-D works by bringing down that pressure to 160 mm Hg. Combine gentle stretching of the muscles of the lower back, and the VAX-D produces a negative pressure that pulls back into the spinal disc center the bulging nucleus pulposus, hence alleviating pressure on the impinged nerve.

Based on the problem that is impacting the patient and the severity of pain and other symptoms, VAX-D treatments would have to be conducted more than once. A treatment appointment is 45 minutes in length of time. On the average, 15 to 20 appointments are suggested but extra sessions may be advised for complicated instances.

So what ailments can or cannot benefit from VAX-D Treatment?

Curable disorders using VAX-D:

• Unilateral or bilateral lower back pain


• Sciatica


• Post-surgical patients with Failed Back Syndrome (even after lower back surgery, pain still continues to be an issue)


• Cervical (Neck) pain and other symptoms

VAX-D treatment would not be able to treat the following disorders:

• Vertebral fractures


• Spondylolisthesis


• Osteoporosis


• Spinal tumors


• Lower back pain resulting from pregnancy


• Ankylosing spondylitis


• Spinal stenosis


• Spinal fusion with retained hardware (such as screws and plates)


• Spinal infections


• Intense medical problems

Is VAX-D Treatment Affordable?

On the average, VAX-D treatments would be 1/10th of the cost of lower back surgery which makes it very inexpensive. To be able to save more money, patients with health care insurance should determine whether or not spinal decompression therapies are mentioned in their plans.

There are many pain management centers and health institutes that offer the VAX-D. It would be best to check out local health centers to get VAX-D treatments.