Spinal Decompression Therapy!

At Last!  Escondido's Chiropractor Offers Technology That Doesn't Just End SEVERE Pain From Herniated Discs, But Helps Your Body To Start Rebuilding Them...As Fast as Possible.

             No Matter How Bad Your Pain Is,
            How Long You've Been Suffering
              Or How Many Other Treatments
                and Doctors Have Failed You!

Don't laugh!  It's really true.  Here is proof!
When You have a herniated disc, compressive forces cause your spinal bones to come together, basically squishing your disc.  The space in between your bones decreases and the soft jelly-like disc materials squeezes out.

The disc material that leaks out is called a herniated disc or a protruding disc, or and extruded disc and this squeezed out material can cause severe pain, numbness and tingling in your back, neck, arms or legs when the disc material pushes into and pinches the nerve.

So it makes sense, if you could slightly pull the compressed spinal bones apart, that would open up the space, take the pressure off of the disc, the disc bulge comes off of the nerve and solves the problem. 

How Do You Do That?

For years and years doctors have been trying to do exactly that with traction.

But traction has been proven to be rarely effective and often hurts.  Why?

Traction rarely works because when you have a herniated or bulging disc, because the area is injured and when you try to move, your muscles go into spasm.  Spasm is your body's way of trying to protect you from causing further injury.  That's why traction hurts so much.  As soon as the traction starts...your muscles overprotect the area by locking up into spasm.

But the good news is:  Now there is newer technology that outsmarts your body's natural spasm reaction.  In other words:  It fools mother nature!

This technology is called Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression or Vertebral Axial Distraction and here's how it works...

Spinal Decompression is very different from plain traction because it has advanced computerized technology that actually senses your spinal muscles.  When it starts to gently pull, it immediately knows when your spinal muscles start to contract and it stops pulling.  As soon as your spinal muscles relax, it starts pulling again.

The amazing thing is the computer senses your muscle contractions so early, you don't even know what is going on.  Which means you never feel any pain!  In fact, the only thing most people feel is gentle pulling, gentle vibration, and an NO PAIN....

But the best part is:  Spinal Decompression is able to gently separate your spinal bones which in many cases, actually moves that disc bulge back into the disc, rehydrating the damaged disc so that it can heal naturally.

The treatments are pleasant and simple.  All you have to do is lay down, listen to your favorite music or take a nap.  The wonderful technology does everything while you simply relax the pain away!

          For most patients it is 100% painless...
           in fact most patients fall asleep during the treatment!

         Works Fast!  Most patients get get relief after a
                  handful of treatments - some after the very first!

          Is non-invasive so it does not have the dangerous
                          risks of surgery or injections.

          Gets to the root cause of the problem
                     and helps it heal naturally!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical,
traction based treatment for herniated
or bulging discs, in the neck and lower back.
Spinal decompression machines can produce a
strong negative pressure, or suction as you
probably know it, inside the discs. This allows
for the bulging disc material to be pulled back
towards the center of the disc. In effect, it's almost like someone stuck a drinking straw into the center of the disc and sucked the disc bulge back in. The other benefit of the suction force produced by decompression is that fluid and nutrients are drawn back into the disc, to promote disc healing and regeneration. In the case of degenerated discs, this increase in fluid can help restore disc height and reduce pressure on arthritic spinal joint surfaces.

There are big differences between traction and decompression. One can experience traction without decompression, but not decompression without traction. Traction can be a machine, or just weights attached to your feet hanging over a bed as done in the past at hospitals. Decompression is a progressive event that is obtained by utilizing negative pressures, by vertebrae, at various angles, to achieve the "Vacuum Effect" or the event known as decompression.

 Traction has been in use for many years as a physical-therapy modality. Forms of traction have been around for centuries.  Many offices offer "inter-segmental traction aka roller tables" that do not perform decompression.  These roller tables can be beneficial for some types of back aches and may help mobilize tissue and be relaxing for some patients, but they are not to be confused with decompression traction systems.  Most back traction devices apply a set amount of traction (static traction) for 15 minutes to several hours in attempt to stretch the vertebrae and surrounding structures.  Decompression traction systems instead use "logarithmic varying pull force intensities which gradually change between pull phase and rest phases to "pump"  fluid, nutrients, and nucleus pulposus material back into the disc. 

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (NSSD) is also known as Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D trade name), and True Disc Decompression (a trade name for AXIOM worldwide for the DRX-9000/DRS/DRX9000C). 

What is a disc and what does it do?

The disc is a soft cartilaginous dense sponge-like material that separates the spinal vertebrae. It consists of nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosis.. We have discs starting at the third cervical all the way down to the lowest lumbar vertebrae, L5. The disc's center is composed of a jelly-like substance called the nucleus and an outer layer called the annulus. These discs act as shock-absorbers. After we are done growing, usually around 17 in women and 18 years or above in men, these discs can become avascular (meaning they do not receive a good blood supply). One of the reasons that our discs give us so many problems is that they do not heal well without a good blood supply. Discs are naturally avascular, so they need to be challenged.
When a patient damages or breaks a bone, it often heals quickly and sometimes is stronger than before. But our discs are avascular, so if a disc is injured it continues to degenerate and does not heal properly. Thus, the need for treatment and intervention. One of the amazing benefits of Spinal Decompression Traction Therapy is the decompression result commonly obtained. This result often heightens the disc space, returning it to a more normal size and function, and the flexibility and hydration that occurs.

How many spinal decompression sessions will be needed?

The number of sessions needed and your specific
treatment plan will be determined by the doctor
after your examination.

In almost all cases, the treatments are completely
painless.  In fact, some patients fall asleep during
the spinal decompression session.

Most patients receive the greatest benefit with a 6
week course of treatment at 3 times per week.  The cost for this program
at our facility is $1500 AND includes all the other therapies!  Some patients have special circumstances which can change this protocol, however our average case resolves in this brief time frame.  Our case fee is significantly lower than most offices that offer decompression, but don't let the lower cost make you think we have a lower quality therapy.  Our equipment is the most modern, very new, very high quality, and very effective.

What type of decompression system is used?

After a
significant
amount of
research, our
office chose
what we
believe to be
the most
sophisticated,
technologically
advanced,
state-of-the-art
decompression
system in the world.
KDT Neuro-Flex Decompression Traction Table.    

The KDT Neuro-Flex Decompresson Traction Table is capable of treating the intervertebral discs in both the neck and lower back.  It has the most patient positioning options of any Decompression Table system available in San Diego County.

Is the doctor certified in Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Dr Stephen Heilman, D.C. is a Certified Practitioner in Spinal Decompression Therapy, in addition to having training in the Kennedy Decompression Technique and is also certified by the Chattanooga Decompression Program.  Of the few Doctors certified in Kennedy Decompression Technique, Dr. Heilman is the ONLY certified practitioner that also features the KDT Neuro-flex Decompression Traction system in San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.

What Makes Spinal Decompression Therapy so Effective?

The effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy is the result of a customized program to fit your needs and condition. Communication with your doctor combined with proper assessment, correct positioning, a table positioning system such as the KDT Neuro-Flex DTS to position you in your most relaxing position and the use of programmed patterns of distraction and relaxation may reduce disc pressure allowing necessary nutrients to enliven and accelerate disc healing.

Who can benefit from Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Anyone who has back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by spinal decompression therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, facet syndrome, sciatica, cervical or lumbar radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease, or even failed surgery.

What medical studies document the effectiveness
of Spinal Decompression?

YES!    One study documented using MRI technology reported up to a 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 studies, out of 14. Other studies reported that the majority of ruptured disc patients achieved "good" to "excellent" results after spinal decompression therapy.  Check out our Research / Clinical Trials web page for some of the many studies evaluating Spinal Decompression Therapy.

For which conditions is Spinal Decompression
                                    Therapy not indicated?

Spinal decompression therapy is not recommended
for pregnant women, patients who have severe
osteoporosis, severe obesity or severe nerve damage.   **Although the belting is more difficult, we have not had any patients under 400 pounds that have not been able to undergo decompression therapy.

Spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws,
metal plates or “cages”) is also contraindicated. 

However, spinal decompression therapy after bone fusion or non-fusion surgery, can be performed.

All of our potential patients are pre-screened to determine that they are safe for spinal decompression, and are thoroughly examined to determine which course of treatment will provide the safest and most effective therapy.  If your condition would be more effectively managed by another specialty we will refer you to the best in the field.

Do most patients receive therapy and rehabilitative exercises in addition to Spinal Decompression Therapy?

To reduce inflammation and assist the healing process, supporting structures are treated with passive therapies (ice/heat/muscle stimulation/ ultrasound therapy), chiropractic adjustments (as indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature.
Our office features the Pettibon Hydraulic Wobble Chair rehabilitation System for our patients to enhance the benefits of the KDT Spinal Decompression Therapy.

How do I get started?

We want to make it easy
for you to learn if you are a
candidate for spinal
decompression therapy. 

Just call our office at
(760) 546 - 0414 to
arrange a consultation
with
Dr. Stephen Heilman, D.C.

Please remember to bring
any MRI reports so the
doctor can review them and best advise you about your treatment options.

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