Specialized treatment for Sciatica, Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc, and Degenerative Disc

Information about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression with the Drx 9000, Frequently asked questions, Testimonials from our patients

Our innovative treatment for chronic lower back pain relief--whether from herniated discs, pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, or sciatica--has helped multiple patients in the Central Connecticut area end their pain permanently without drugs or surgery.

Most of the patients that come into our office have already tried the usual- rest, medication and more medication. They have been to numerous practitioners who have prescribed them exercises, epidurals, traction, physical therapy, nerve blocks- you name it we have heard it in our office. Most patients just want to able to do the "simple" things in life- like washing the dishes, sitting at a computer, play golf, being able to work for 8 hours, being able to shop, cooking dinner for their family, get a full nights sleep. But for people who suffer from chronic low back and neck pain, these simple activities are not possible and become debilitating. Our patients will tell you:

"I was treated for degenerative disk disease which I had been suffering with for over 20 years. Physical therapy several times did not help me. Getting out of bed each morning was almost unbearable."- Barbara P, Newington Connecticut

"I fell about 3 years ago and was diagnosed with 3 bulging discs and 1 ruptured. I was going to a chiropractor for 2 to 3 times a week plus acupuncture and taking percocet for 4 months."- Mary B, Oakdale Connecticut

"The condition treated for is combined osteoporosis and spinal stenosis in the lumbar region. The pain severity was off the high end on a scale of 1 to 10 and virtually constant, with excruciating pain in the lower back and both legs. Physical therapy, epidural injections, and pain medications were ineffective or of short duration, and even counterproductive."- Jeanne U, Granby Connecticut

At CT Spine and Disc Center, Dr. Bellinger and Dr. Gill offer a different approach that is gentle, effective treatment for chronic low back pain from such conditions as a disc herniation, "pinched nerve", bulging disc, and degerative disc disease. It is called Spinal Decompression using the innovative Drx 9000. CT Spine and Disc Center has been featured on Connecticut's very own Eyewitness News Channel 3. Here are some frequently asked questions about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression

Click here to View this Report

How does the DRX 9000 work ?

The DRX9000 Spinal Decompression system has the ability to isolate lumbar vertebrae (L1,L2, L3, L4 or L5) and distract the vertebrae surrounding an injured disc 5 to 7 mm. The treatment provides cycling forces on structures that may be causing low back pain.Click here to watch a video on how non surgical Spinal Decompression Works

Who Can Non Surgical Spinal Decompression Help ?

lower back pain
leg pain
numbness and tingling in the legs and feet
spinal stenosis
degeneration in the lower back
herniated disc
bulging disc

Has any research been done to prove the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy ?

Yes. In a recent outcome study by T. Gionnis (submitted to the Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine), 500 potential patients with low back pain and pain radiating into the lower extremities were treated on the DRX 9000. With treatment success defined by a reduction of pain to 0 or 1 on the pain scale, the DRX 9000 treatment was successful for 86% of the 219 patients included in the study. Click here to read this study. Other studies that have been performed include:

Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure Gustavo Ramos, M.D., and William Martin, M.D. Journal of Neurosurgery, Volume 81 350-353,1994
The Effects of vertebral Axial Decompression on Sensory Nerve Function in patients with low back pain and radiculopathy. Frank Tilaro M.D. and Dennis Miskovich,M.D. Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicene. January 1999
Pain Management. A practical Guide for Clinicians. Chapter 20: New Concepts in Back Pain Management: Decompression, Reduction, and Stabilization. C Norman Shealy, M.D.,Ph.D.,F.A.C.S. Pierre L.LeRoy, M.D.,F.A.C.S.
New Device Review Non Surgical Decompression and the DRX9000 MTG Newsletter November-December 2001 / Vol.8 No.9
DRS System Clinical Trial- Clinical Trial Study of a Non-Invasive Decompression System in the Treatment of Lumbosacral RadiculopathiesWilliam Laurerman, Assoc.Prof. Ortho. Surgery and Chief Spine Surgery, Georgetown Peter A. Moskovitz, Clinical Prof. Of Ortho. & Neuron. Surgery, George Washington et al.
VAX-D RESEARCH Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: An outcome study Earl E.Gost, William K. Naguszewski and Robert K. Naguszewski
Emerging technologies: Preliminary Findings. Decompression, Reduction, and Stabiliazation of the Lumbar Spine: A cost-effective treatment for lumbosacral pain C. Normal Shealy MD, PhD and Vera Borgmeyer, RN, MA AIPM 1997 Volume 7 Pages 63-65

How does the DRX 9000 separate each vertebra and allow for decompression at a specific level?

Decompression is achieved by using a specific combination of lumbar positioning and varying the degree and intensity of force. The key to producing this decompression is the gentle pull that is created by a logarithmic curve. When distractive forces are generated on a logarithmic curve the typical proprioceptor response is avoided. Avoiding this response allows decompression to occur at the targeted area.

Is there any risk to the patient during treatment on the DRX 9000?

No. The DRX 9000 is totally safe and comfortable for all subjects. The system has emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator. These switches are a requirement of the FDA and terminates the treatment immediately, avoiding any injuries.

What are your patients saying about the DRX 9000 ?

"Beginning in September 2006 I developed severe back pain and leg pain. I went for chiropractic treatment, physical therapy and finally an MRI in October 2006. The MRI showed a herniated disc pushing on the sciatic nerve. I went to a spinal doctor who suggested spinal injections to releive the pain. I tried one in late October and it worked for only 30 hours. By this time I was walking bent over and could not stand for more than five minutes without severe pain in my left leg. In early November I read about a new procedure that cure this problem. I contacted the CT Spine and Disc Center and set up a meeting with Doctors Bellinger and Gill. I was convinced this procedure would help and on November 15 2006 I began my visits with the DRX 9000 machine. After eight sessions I was able to stand straight but still had pain in the left leg when I walked. By the fifteenth session that pain was gone and by the seventeenth session I was back to normal routine. In the beginning my was an 8 on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the worst). By the seventeenth session was 0. Doctors Bellinger and Gill were very informative and caring through the whole procedure. Thanks guys, its great to be back in the swing of things. Awesome!!!" -Eugene. J.M

"Had my first surgery in November 2005 (L5/S1) and re-ruptured in March 2006. After finding out I was facing another surgery I decided to seek other options. I found the DRX 9000 and started my treatment after the initial consultation. I was desperate for help as I was unable to walk. I noticed a difference in about 5 treatments but after 8 treatments I was able to walk up the stairs without using the railing. The treatment is painless and absolutely helpful. I would definitely recommend this procedure to anyone considering surgery." - Robin. B

"Came into office with lower back pain with a constant achiness. MRI was performed and results indicated herniated lower discs. Decision for treatment was thought about. Treatments on machine went well. Stiff after treatment but as weeks went on felt much better. Light work load on myself but that will change in about 2 months. I am satisfied with results." - Daniel. B

Are the treatment results permanent?

The DRX 9000 has an impressive success rate in treating herniated and degenerative discs with a 4% reoccurrence rate after one year. Typically additional treatments are not required after the completion of the treatment protocol. However, as with any treatment there are always severe cases that involve particular job/lifestyle activities that may require re-evaluations.

Can the DRX 9000 be used for patients that have had spinal surgery?

In most cases the DRX 9000 treatment is not contraindicated for patients that have had spinal surgery. In fact many patients have found success with the DRX 9000 after a failed back surgery.

What is the difference between traction and spinal decompression therapy ?

Traction is helpful at treating some of the conditions resulting from herniation or degeneration but traction is unable to address the source of the problem. Research has shown that Spinal Decompression therapy creates a negative pressure or a vacuum inside the disc. This effect causes the disc to pull in the herniation and the increase in negative pressure also causes the flow of blood and nutrients back into the disc allowing the body's natural fibroblastic response to heal the injury and re-hydrate the disc. The DRX 9000 is the premier spinal decompression therapy unit to accomplish this.

Traction and inversion tables, at best, can lower the intradiscal pressure from a +90 to a +30 mmHg. The DRX 9000 is clinically proven to reduce the intradiscal pressure to between a -150 to -200 mmHg. Traction triggers the body's normal response to stretching by creating painful muscle spasms that worsen the pain in affected area.

What is Intervertebral Disc Disease ?

Intervertebral disc disease is among the most common causes of neck and low back pain. Cervical (neck) disc herniations are less common than lumbar (low back) herniations. Low back herniations affect an estimated 80 % of patients complaining of back pain. Many things can cause a herniated disc including: poor posture, work-related strain, traumatic injuries due to falls or blows in the back, improper weight lifting, obesity, and sport-related muscular strain. A Disc herniation can also occur because of age-related degenerative processes that cause progressive loss of disc elasticity. Other risk factors associated with disc hernias are lack of regular physical exercises, inadequate nutrition, smoking, and genetic factors.

Demographics
Herniated disc is a common problem, with approximately one in 32, or 8.4 million people in the United States affected each year.

Causes and symptoms
Degenerative disc disease, usually related to aging, is more common in the lumbar area, where much of the wear-and-tear of a lifetime of activity is exerted, resulting in chronic back pain. However, in the cervical area the disc degenerative process usually starts with a traumatic twisting of the disc space that leads to chronic inflammatory pain in the neck, and may result in arm pain and numbness. The degenerative process may also be associated with occupational repetitive movements such as those required in construction, farming, mining, and other professional activities where workers are required to handle heavy loads. A herniated disc can cause pain that is incapacitating, and the condition accounts for a major cause of work disability and health care expense in the United States. Lumbar disc hernias are commonly associated with sciatica (inflammation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back) due to disc protrusion or herniation that compresses the spinal nerve root radiating to the femoral or sciatic nerve. A sensation of sharp, painful electric-like shock is felt during acute sciatica both in the back and along the involved limb. Other symptoms are a burning pain in the back, numbness or tingling sensation in the related leg, and weakness in one or both legs.

Spinal Anatomy

Can you explain what a "slipped disc" is ?
An intervertebral disc can be thought of as soft tough pads that separate the bones (vertebrae) of the spine from one another. The disc is made up of three basic structures: the nucleus pulposus, the anulus fibrosus, and the vertebral end-plates. A disc has three functions:

they act as a ligament by holding the bones of the spine together
they act as a shock absorber which carries the downward weight of the body (axial load) while in an up right position
they act as pivot point, which allows the spine to bend and twist.

The disc itself is a circle of cartilage between each vertebra in the spine that acts as both a shock absorber, sponge and a shock distributor. Without discs, the spine simply could not function properly.
Discs don't exactly "slip". Instead, they bulge, herniate, or rupture. Saying a disc has "slipped" does suggest that something has "slipped out" and is not where it's supposed to be, which is what happens in disc injuries. Discs are made up of concentric circles or rings of fibrous material with a tough gelatinous center. When cracks or fissures occur in the fibrous rings, the gelatinous material in the center can begin to push out.

I have a herniated disc and would like to try this non-surgical treatment. What do i have to do ?
Unfortunately, we do turn patients away. Not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. Please call our office at (860)633-8756 and speak to us. We will ask you some questions to see if you qualify for spinal decompression therapy using the DRX 9000. We will ask you about your pain, the severity and some other health related questions to see if you are candidate for this non surgical procedure. We have had great success rate in our office, but the treatment is not for everyone and there are contra-indications. If you are are a candidate, then you can schedule for a consultation and examination (if you have had a recent MRI, then make sure you bring this with you to your appointment). If you are not a candidate, we will tell you that as well, and offer some alternative treatment choices if possible. If you have not had an MRI, that is okay. If Dr. Bellinger feels that you are a good candidate for this treatment, then he will refer you out for the MRI.

I have cervical disc hernation. Can the DRX 9000 help with that ?
In our Glastonbury CT office we have the DRX 9000 for spinal decompression for the Lumbar (low back) spine only. Axiom world wide does make a machine for patients with cervical disc problems. It is called the DRX 9000c. If you have a cervical disc herniation, then call our office at (860) 633-8756, and we will take your information and pass it along to a doctor who has this equipment close to where you live.

Get more information about Spinal Decompression. Click on this link and we'll send you our Report on Back Pain and Decompression Therapy, and a certificate valid for a free consultation and evaluation at CT Spine and Disc Center.

Our results speak for themselves. We have helped countless patients get their life back. Click here to read our Spinal Decompression Testimonials for yourself.

So, if you've been in pain too long, take medication just to get through the day, and have seen countless practitioners who've not been able to help you end your pain, you owe it to yourself to give us a call at 860-633-8756 today. We want to help you get better and live pain-free.

Make an appointment today !!
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Specialized treatment for Sciatica, Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc, and Degenerative Disc

Spinal Anatomy