Spinal Decompression
Intervertebral disc pathology is one of the primary causes of back and neck pain. The discs are prone to degeneration and injury as they are compressed and twisted through daily activities.
As the disc degenerates, the gel-like centre, or nucleus loses its hydration, reducing disc height and creating the possibility of facet syndrome and lateral foraminal stenosis. Furthermore, disc degeneration causes the pliable outer coating (the anulus) to become brittle and susceptible to cracks and tears that can lead to disc herniations. Bulging or herniated discs often press on spinal nerves, causing severe pain and radiculopathy (pain that radiates down the leg and even into the foot).
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal because they remain under constant pressure, even while a person is at rest. It is widely accepted that the ideal environment to improve disc pathology is to decompress, or reduce the intradiscal pressures of the damaged disc.
The goal of reducing intradiscal pressure is to enhance the movement of fluids and nutrients into the disc, furthering the body’s natural healing abilities. Additionally, reduction of intradiscal pressures may help draw the nucleus pulposus of a herniated disc back into the center, thereby relieving pressure on a compressed nerve root — alleviating the problem and the pain.
SpineMED®’s patented design represents the latest evolution in non-surgical decompression technology.
SpineMED® provides a Non-surgical, Drug-free procedure for:
- bulging and herniated discs in the neck and in the low back
- radiating leg pain
- numbness in the arms
- sciatica
- spinal stenosis
- disc degeneration
Based on years of clinical experience, and feedback from healthcare professionals in the field, the SpineMED® system was designed to overcome the limitations and untoward side-effects found with previous devices.
Cumbersome nylon harnesses, an outdated tower design, and antiquated traction components have been eliminated and replaced with a patented restraint system, exclusive pelvic tilt mechanism and advanced computer controls.
The result is the most technologically advanced non-surgical decompression system for the conservative treatment of lumbar and cervical disc pathologies.
The low force requirements associated with SpineMED® limit the contra-indications significantly.
The primary contra-indications for SpineMED® decompression are:
- Instabilities of the spine, such as recent fractures
- Bilateral pars defects
- Unstable spondylolisthesis (typically grade 2 and above)
- Gross osteoporosis
- Cancers or tumors of the spine
- Surgical hardware fixation in the region of the spine being targeted
- Patients under the age of 15
Disc fragmentation, calcification, severe arthritis and any surgical spinal appliances are all relative contra-indications. Post surgical patients are NOT contra-indicated unless they have surgical hardware fixation in the region of the spine being targeted. In fact, failed back surgery patients may respond well to SpineMED®.
Overcoming reflex contractions
It is commonly recognised that achieving decompression depends upon the ability to distract the spine without eliciting reflex muscle contractions or spasms. SpineMED® monitors tension applied to the patient every 2.5 milliseconds and can make adjustments every 20 milliseconds. This ability to almost instantly sense and adjust tensions is a key difference that distinguishes SpineMED® Decompression from other devices and conventional traction.
Targeted Distraction
Get better results with better technology. SpineMED®’s patented pelvic tilt feature is designed to adjust patient positioning to accurately isolate and decompress specific spinal segments. With increased specificity and a more efficient capture, SpineMED® is engineered to achieve optimum decompression. The ability to achieve positive outcomes using lower forces greatly increases patient comfort and suitability, particularly with acute patients and the growing geriatric population.
Repeatable Sessions
Achieve virtually 100% repeatability from session to session. SpineMED® eliminates the variability or inconsistent positioning of harnesses, regardless of the patient or the operator, with its highly accurate pelvic restraint system.
Wider Patient Suitability
SpineMED®’s ability to achieve results using lower forces also increases the scope of suitable patients, especially with acute to sub-acute patients, frail patients, and the growing geriatric population.
Lower Forces
With the elimination of outdated harnesses and direct capture of the pelvis with the patented restraints, SpineMED® decompression protocols call for a fraction of the force required with previous devices. For example, the average protocol for a 200lb patient on SpineMED® is 60lbs of force, compared with over 110lbs on older devices. SpineMED®’s lower force requirements dramatically increase patient comfort and tolerance while virtually eliminating any risk of exacerbations or other negative side effects.
Accommodate any patient size with no harness
SpineMED®’s pelvic restraints comfortably secure patients of virtually any size (70 to 500 lbs.). The restraints effectively displace adipose tissue to capture the skeletal structure without having to rely on different-sized harnesses.
Focussed Distraction
Zero-in and accurately isolate damaged discs. SpineMED®’s pelvic tilt feature rotates the pelvis between 0–25 degrees during lumbar sessions, while the cervical section positions the head between 0–30 degrees of flexion for cervical sessions. Adjustable patient positioning is designed to accurately move the focal point of distraction, allowing SpineMED® to target specific spinal segments. Older technologies attempt this by raising or lowering the traction box within their tower design.
