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VAX-D Frequently Asked Questions

What Is VAX-D?
Why Trust the Original, Patented VAX-D
What Is Causing My Back Pain?
What Is Facet Syndrome?
How Does VAX-D Work?
Is Traction The Same As Decompression ?
What's The Key to Decompression?
Is VAX-D Right for Me?
When Can I Expect Results?
What Can I Expect?

What Is VAX-D?

Proven Non-Surgical Decompression for Back Pain

VAX-D, short for Vertebral Axial Decompression, is a patented non-surgical therapy proven to be as much as 88.8% successful treating chronic low back pain, caused by prolapsed, bulging, herniated or degenerative discs, facet syndrome, stenosis and sciatica. Even post-surgical patients and those suffering from central canal or foraminal stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal or intervertebral foramen) have reported significant pain relief from VAX-D treatments. Over a series of relaxing treatment sessions, patients pain healing experience powerful pain reduction and healing. Some patients even notice an immediate difference after one visit.

VAXD is not to be confused with traction. VAXD lengthens and decompresses the spine, reversing high intradiscal pressure through the application of negative pressure via a patented "slow ramp-up" process. This reversal of pressure creates a vacuum inside the discs that not only takes pressure off of pinched nerves, but helps to reposition bulging discs and pull extruded disc material back into place. Simultaneously, nutrients, oxygen and fluids are drawn into the disc to create a revitalized environment conducive to healing. VAX-D stimulates the body's repair mechanism, providing the building blocks needed to actually mend injured and degenerated discs. VAX-D's process is the only patented treatment clinically proven to decrease disc pressures to the negative levels needed to facilitate healing!

VAX-D's proven and patented technology is currently being utilized by leading physicians in orthopedic medicine, pain medicine, neurology and other specialties in hundreds of clinics around the world. Many doctors choose the VAX-D over other devices because it employs the original, patented technology from which decompression therapy was born. VAX-D makes a commitment to back pain sufferers to offer an honest product backed by clinical research. We give you real science with real results. Back pain has grown to be a $54 billion industry and has literally become a national epidemic. Due to the astounding array of varied treatment options, finding a back pain solution can be a daunting task. Knowing that a product backs its claims with clinical research makes all the difference, and that is what VAX-D offers. A recently completed 2 1/2 year study has demonstrated that VAX-D achieved a remarkable 88% success rate in the 283 chronic back pain patients studied! The patients selected for the study had failed at least two previous non-surgical treatments. This brochure offers you a comprehensive overview of back pain, its causes and the revolutionary treatment effective for most patients: VAX-D.

While only a trained medical professional can accurately diagnose your back problems and recommend appropriate treatment, a basic understanding of common causes of back pain and how VAX-D works to alleviate them can help you in making a more informed decision concerning your treatment options. Understanding How the Spine Works .Your spine is composed of 24 bones called vertebrae, and in between each vertebra is a fibrous disc, filled with a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus, each of which provide flexibility and cushioning to the spine. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord, which runs through a tube at the back of the spine called the spinal canal. A bundle of nerves at the lower end of the spinal cord exits the spinal canal and moves down through the pelvis. Some of these nerve fibers become the sciatic nerve which travels down through the buttocks, along the back of the thigh and knee, and into the foot. With such a dense network of nerves traveling throughout the back, it is easy to see how great discomfort may be caused by a slight upset in the delicate architecture of the spine. Accidents and injury may damage discs and vertebrae, putting pressure on nerves. This results in tingling, numbness, muscle weakness or even sharp, shooting pain. Shown in the illustration below are some of the more common diagnoses for back pain which will be covered at length in the coming pages.

Many bulging and herniated discs can be attributed to lifting objects incorrectly. When picking up an object from the floor. bend at the knees, keeping the spine as erect as possible. Rise using the strength of your legs, as their sturdy, more simplistic architecture is designed for such exertions. Putting great amounts of pull or pressure on the spine, when bent forward or backward, can compromise its delicate alignment. Of course, there is no right way to lift an object that is simply too heavy. listen to your body, and if you feel any discomfort while doing heavy lifting, back off and save your back! Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis What Is Sciatica? Where does it hurt? Sciatica is the sensation of pain, tingling, or numbness in the buttocks and/or legs which is produced by an irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve extends out of the spinal cord and branches into the lower portion of the back, the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot. The primary causes of sciatica are herniated. bulging, or degenerated discs, which induce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Other causes may include small, bony growths on the spine (bone spurs) or compression of the nerves through injury. In rare cases. the sciatic nerve may also be irritated by conditions such as tumors, pregnancy, or spinal stenosis. What Is Spinal Stenosis? Over 90% of herniated discs occur in the lowest two levels of the lumbar spine, between L4-LS and LS/S 1. Do you experience pain, tingling or numbness in any of these regions?

Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal due to the encroachment of disc material or bony growths that squeeze and irritate the spinal cord and/or extending nerve roots. This can lead to pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs, feet or buttocks. Stenosis is usually brought about by age-related changes such as degeneration of the discs, which can allow herniations of the disc to enter into the spinal canal or lead to the bony, arthritic growths that change the shape of the spinal canal.The benefits that many stenosis patients derive from VAX-D's positive repositioning and rejuvenating effect on herniated' ,and degenerative discs, which often accompany stenosis. Degenerative Disc Disease What Is Degenerative Disc Disease? Degenerative disc disease is not technically a disease, but rather the natural state of degeneration the spine goes through with age. With degenerative disc disease, pain usually remains at a constant low grade, and flares up without warning, usually after some kind of activity.

Facet syndrome is one of the lesser-known causes of back pain. Facets are the bony wing-like protrusions extending from the back of the vertebrae that align with the facets on the vertebrae above and below. Facets function as guides for the spine and are not designed for bearing weight like the vertebrae and discs. At the point where the facets of two vertebrae meet are small ligaments that join corresponding facets together. Bearing the brunt of unhealthy discs

As a result of lost disc height for one reason or another, the spine may shift its weight, adding pressure to facet joints. Bearing the brunt of all that weight can lead to tearing or degeneration of the ligaments, as well as inflammation of surrounding tissues. Adhesions over the joint surface usually form over time, leading to loss of mobility and breakdown of facet cartilage. Symptoms are usually characterized as a deep ache in the lower back that may extend to the buttocks, hip, and even below the knee. Facet syndrome is often associated with degenerative disc disease and soft tissue damage in the lumbar spine.

High intradiscal pressures cause discs to bulge out and press painfully on nerve roots. They also make for a compressed, anaerobic environment unsuitable for healing. Decompression produces and sustains negative pressures within the disc, creating a vacuum effect which draws in nutrients and fluids to promote the repair of injured discs and surrounding tissues. This vacuum has also been shown to aid in the retraction of escaped cushioning gel from herniated discs. Much like gauging the air pressure in a car tire. scientists have been able to use pressure sensors to measure the various pressures put on spinal discs while lifting, standing, sitting, lying down, undergoing traction, and during VAX-D Therapy. Like other pressures found in the body such as blood pressure, intradiscal pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). While traction, physical therapy and manipulation may reduce disc pressures to as low as 40 traction, physical therapy mmHg. only VAX-D has been shown manual manipulation to achieve negative pressures within the spine. Clinical studies have shown that, with VAX-D Therapy, negative pressures as low as -160 mmHg* are created within the injured disc during the treatment session!

With traction, weights are added one by one to the end of the traction bed which, in turn, adds tension to a harness secured around the patient's pelvis, 8 lengthening the spine. The intention is to relieve pressure, but the linear force of this traction can produce spasming L which may lead to greater injury . Studies confirm that the benefits of traction come from simply immobilizing the spine.* In fact, the Quebec Task Force ruled in 1996 that traction was not an effective treatment for correct lifting chronic herniated discs. The results are not long lasting and cannot produce negative pressures in the disc. Decompression also lengthens the spine, but the approach is far different, and that makes all the difference. The logarithmic Difference. Normally, pulls exerted on the spine trigger sensory receptors in the back to tighten the muscles surrounding the vertebrae and discs in an effort to protect them from injury-a mechanism in the body known as the proprioceptor response. VAX-D Therapy is able to detect, then bypass this response through a patented motion-controlled biofeedback system which then allows the back to relax completely. With the body's natural protective mechanism '(jistracted:' VAX-D can administer tension without causing injury.

The key to this "distraction" is achieved through an intricately timed series of pulls, holds, and releases over the course of about 45 minutes. Tension moves along the logarithmic curve, shown right, slowly ramping up, holding, then decreasing. VAX-D's biofeedback system adjusts this curve of tension specifically to each patient's needs, making every session a truly individualized treatment. VAX-D Therapy involves three phases that repeat fifteen times throughout a treatment session: the Decompression Phase, the Retraction Phase, and finally, the Rest Phase. During the Decompression Phase, tension slowly mounts. lengthening the spine; up to 99 pounds of tension may be exerted directly on the injured discs. This is where spinal pressures drop and decompression actually occurs. During the Retraction Phase, tension is slowly decreased and the spine is retracted slowly. This is followed by a short Rest Phase.

You Are a Candidate for VAX-D If:

• You have chronic and/or severe back pain caused by bulging or herniated discs. degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and/or facet syndrome.
• You have been diagnosed with a clinically unstable low back.
• You have failed back surgery syndrome.
• You have been told to consider surgery.

Many patients report a reduction in pain after their first few VAX-D treatment sessions, and happily feel they have had all the treatments they need. This is a wonderful sign that VAX-D is working, but the scientific reality is that the healing process is not finished! Quitting the treatment regimen early usually results in a relapse of symptoms, as well as wasted time and money. On the other hand, it may take several sessions before patients experience a noticeable remission of symptoms. Why is this? Bulging and herniated discs may need several sessions to fully reposition themselves depending on your physiology. You can be sure that your spine is responding to VAX-D's vacuum effect, but results are not always immediate. VAX-D has been proven effective at eliminating back pain, if given a chance!

VAX-D Works, Given the Chance

Many patients have experienced more than a 50% reduction in pain after their first treatment! For those suffering from herniated and degenerated discs, the escaped nucleus pulposus may be partially or completely retracted back into the disc after just the first session (though usually it takes longer), relieving a great deal of pain. However, pain reduction does not indicate full recovery, and a full recovery is essential to preventing reinjury. This may mean completing as many as 20 to 25 treatment sessions. Some patients require even more sessions. This may seem like a lot of treatments, but VAX-D is working with your back as it heals, and that is a process that cannot be rushed. Why is this?

Completing Your Course of Therapy

Much like a scab heals, tears in the disc wall need time , to heal. Just because your pain is gone, does not mean the tears have had time to seal up, which is crucial to preventing the newly retracted nucleus pulposus from escaping again, and putting pressure back on the nerves. Completing your course of VAX-D Therapy, as determined by your doctor, according to the severity of your condition, takes time. Each session prescribed is needed to maintain a fully hydrated and oxygen-rich environment for the damaged disc. The same principles apply for those with degenerative disc disease.

Visible Progress! After as little as nine treatments, the disc wall may have almost completely healed. However, a small fissure remains. Continuing on with the VAX-D protocol will allow for an enriched disc environment to speed the body's natural healing mechanism. The last remaining VAX-D sessions will enable the disc to heal completely.

What Can I Expect?

VAX-D Therapy's non-invasive, gentle decompression cycles make your treatment sessions pleasant. painless and easy. VAX-D delivers healing rejuvenation and noticeable relief. sometimes within the first few visits. Getting Started At your first visit. your doctor will recommend an Xray or MRI to pinpoint the specific areas of damage and discomfort. Using this information, your doctor will determine your course of therapy and whether you are a candidate for VAX-D. At the beginning of each session, you will be comfortably fitted with VAX-D's patented pelvic harness shown in clinical studies to achieve optimal decompression of the I umbar spine. Patients may choose to receive their treatment lying face-down or on their back. Face-down is generally the ideal position, as it allows gravity to assist in the repositioning of herniated disc material. Should you choose to be treated on your stomach, a memory foam pillow provides ultimate comfort and plenty of space for breathing fresh air. A quiet fan in the pillow's base supplies a gentle breeze, keeping your face cool and your mind relaxed. While some patients love the spa like feeling of resting their face in the memory foam pillow, some simply prefer it the other way. This treatment position is also perfect for individuals with respiratory problems and other health issues that make it uncomfortable to lie face-down for any extended period of time.

The Pressure Is Off!

As a session of decompression therapy commences, you will notice a slow, gentle lengthening in your spine as your discs are gradually decompressed and relieved of pressure. This process is safe and painless. While some patients with extensively injured discs have reported mild discomfort during the first few treatment sessions, their discomfort subsides upon subsequent visits. Quick-release clasps on the upper-body harness or optional hand grips provide an extra safety feature, allowing you to stop at any point should you feel discomfort. Each treatment session lasts approximately 45 minutes. A typical VAX-D treatment regimen consists of about 20 daily sessions. Some conditions require fewer visits; some require more. Many patients report relief from their pain and other symptoms during the first few treatment sessions, and most experience dramatic pain relief after completion of their prescribed VAX-D Therapy program.