Thus far, ten research studies have been completed
on VAX-D. Eight have been published in juried medical journals
and a ninth soon will be. This is considerably more research
than has been published on the efficacy of any other non-surgical
spinal decompression procedure.
While each study listed
here examines a different aspect of the VAX-D procedure, the
conclusions are all in agreement: VAX-D is a valid, consistently
effective, safe, cost-effective treatment protocol – and a clear
alternative to surgery.
- “Efficacy of VAX-D on Chronic Low Back Pain: Study of
a Dosage Regimen,” Gustavos Ramos, MD, Dept of Neurosurgery
and Radiology, Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas,
accepted for publication, Journal of
Neurological Research, Vol 26, April 2004.
Conclusion: “VAX-D should be
utilized in all patients who are poor surgical candidates
and before surgery is undertaken except in the emergent
conditions.”
- “VAX-D Reduces Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain – 4
Year Study,” Robert Odell, MD and Daniel Boudreau, DO,
Anesthesiology News,” Vol 29,
No 3, March 2003.
Conclusion: ”Of the 23 patients
who responded [to the study questionnaire], 52% had a pain
level of zero, 91% were able to resume their normal daily
activities, and 87% were either working or were retired
without having back pain as the cause for retirement” –
“and there were no complications with this treatment.”
- “A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of VAX-D
and TENS for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain,” Eugene
Sherry, MD, Senior Lecturer in Orthopedics, Sydney University,
Peter Kitchner, MD, and Russell Smart,
Journal of Neurological Research,
Vol 23, No 7, October 2001.
Conclusion: “The results of
this prospective study demonstrate that VAX-D can achieve
a statistically significant improvement in pain and functional
outcome for patients suffering from disc-related chronic
low back pain.”
- “Dermatomal Somatosensory Evoked Potential Demonstration
of Nerve Root Decompression After VAX-D Therapy,” William
K. Naguszewski, MD, Robert K. Naguszewski, MD and Earl E.
Gose, Ph d, Journal of Neurological Research,
Vol 23, No 7, October 2001.
Conclusion: “VAX-D therapy,
however, addresses both primary and secondary causes of
low back and referred pain. We thus submit that VAX-D therapy
should be considered first, before the patient undergoes
a surgical procedure which permanently alters the anatomy
and function of the affected lumbar spine segment.”
- “Vertebral Axial Decompression Therapy for Pain Associated
with Herniated or Degenerated Discs or Facet Syndrome: An
outcome study,” Earl E. Gose, Ph d, William K. Naguszewski,
MD and Robert K. Naguszewski, MD, Journal
of Neurological Research, Vol 20, No 3, April 1998.
Conclusion: “VAX-D by its unique
design may more precisely address the physiology of persistent
low back pain than other conventional therapies. We consider
it to be a front line treatment for degenerative spondylosis,
facet syndrome, disc disease, and non-surgical lumbar radiculopathy.”
- An Overview of Vertebral Axial Decompression,” Frank
Tilaro, MD, Canadian Journal of Clinical
Medicine, Vol 5, No. 1, January 1998.
Conclusion: “VAX-D therapy
addresses the biochemical aspects of discogenic and achieves
its objective through decompression. It should be utilized
in patients with low back pain with or without radiculopathy
who have failed conventional therapy (physiotherapy and
chiropractic), and should be utilized prior to addressing
surgery.”
- “The Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression On Sensory
Nerve Dysfunction in Patients with Low Back Pain and Radiculopathy,”
Frank Tilaro, MD and Dennis Muskovich, MD,
Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol 6, No 1, January 1998
Conclusion: “Fourteen of twenty-two
peripheral nerves (64%) showing abnormal dysfunction secondary
to compressive radiculopathy returned to normal function
after therapeutic course of VAX-D therapy. The data from
this study implies that VAX-D therapy is capable of influencing
sensory nerve dysfunction associated with a compressive
radiculopathy.”
- “Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression on Intradiscal
Pressure,” Gustavo Ramos, MD and William Martin, MD,
Journal of Neurosurgery, 81:350-353,
Sept. 1994.
Conclusion: “. . . it is possible
to lower pressure in the nucleus pulposis of herniated discs
below 0mm Hg when distraction tension is applied according
to the protocol described for vertebral axial decompression
therapy.”
- “Medical Technologies Group Special Report on VAX-D,”
MTG News, Vol 4, No 8, August
1995. [MTG is a medical review group that examines medical
procedures, drugs and treatment protocols and makes recommendations
to insurance companies.]
Conclusion: “Coupled with modern
imaging technology that recorded modifications in the extent
of herniated discs with VAX-D therapy, no other non-interventional
means of treating low back pain, mechanical or otherwise,
has shown such promise. MTG recommends the FDA approved
VAX-D therapy for those patients who meet patient selection
criteria.”
- “An Industry-Based, Retrospective, Cost Analysis of
Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D) -vs- Surgery for Lumbar
Disc Disease: 10 Case Studies,” David Duncan, MD and Don
Keenan, Ph d (Sinclair Oil Corporation Study, Tulsa Oklahoma).
Publication Pending.
Conclusion: The average cost
to industry for a patient’s VAX-D treatments alone is $3,500-4,500
as compared to an average cost of $12,000-65,000 for surgery
alone (depending on surgical procedure performed).
Complete
texts of all studies can be found at
www.vaxd.com.
Copies are
available at:
The American
Back Center
122 South Michigan Avenue -- Suite 1770
Chicago, IL 60603
312-939-4121
|
