"FINALLY, Effective And Affordable Decompression Therapy!"

You've probably seen the newspaper ads that "hype" Spinal Decompression Therapy asking you to call some unknown doctor's office in order to receive a free report in the mail.  We do not believe anyone should have to do that!

Our website will give you the complete facts about Spinal Decompression Therapy including published studies and actual case studies from our office that support its effectiveness.

And we will also tell you the approximate treatment cost.  We do that so you will be better able to make an informed decision about what you should do for your condition and because our fees are a fraction of what some other clinics charge.

If you need any additional information, please call our office at 801-475-1800 and ask to speak to Dr. Kris Davis. That's right, he will talk to you personally in order to help you make the right decision.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
 

What is Spinal Decompression Therapy?
 

Spinal decompression therapy has a high success rate for pain associated with herniated or bulging discs...even after failed surgery.  It is a non-surgical, traction based outcome for the relief of back and leg pain or neck and arm pain. During this procedure, by cycling through distraction and relaxation phases and by proper positioning, a spinal disc can be placed under negative pressure, causing a vacuum effect within it. 

By significantly reducing intradiscal pressure, spinal decompression promotes retraction of the herniation into the disc and facilitates influx of oxygen, proline and other substrates. The promotion of fibro elastic activity stimulates repair and inhibits leakage of irritant sulphates and carboxylates from the nucleus. The most recent trial sought to correlate clinical success with MRI evidence of disc repair in the annulus, nucleus, facet joint and foramina as a result of treatment and found that reduction of disc herniation ranged between 10% and 90% depending on the number of sessions performed, while annulus patching and healing was evident in all cases. 
 

 How does this negative pressure affect an injured disc? 
 

During spinal decompression therapy, a negative pressure is created within the disc.  Because of that negative pressure, disc material that has protruded or herniated can be pulled back within the normal confines of the disc, and permit healing to occur.   

Since the disc is an avascular structure, it doesn't receive fresh blood and oxygen with every beat of the heart. It requires "diffusion" created by motion and 'decompression' to restore nutrients and enhance healing.

  

What system is used for this purpose? 

 

The Spinal Care Center of Utah chose the new Triton® DTS system manufactured by the Chattanooga Group, the premier manufacturer of physical medicine equipment.  This new version has the brand new computerized head which is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced unit in the world.  
  
 
In fact, the new Triton® head is so revolutionary that it won the Australian Design Award in the "Medical and Scientific" category.  It is also the system that the University of Texas purchased for the treatment of its world-class athletes.

We also selected the Triton® DTS systems due to their ability to treat discs in both the neck and the low back. 

The system also comes with a patient ID card which records each treatment that has been specifically adjusted for you.  This card is carried in your wallet or purse and given to the doctor on each visit to record the date, time, different pressures and parameters of decompression and the pain levels before each treatment and after the therapy is performed.  
 

 
 

How is Spinal Decompression Therapy different from regular traction?
 

The award winning Triton® computer is the key. It controls the variations in the traction pull allowing for spinal decompression and eliminating muscle guarding that is typical in conventional traction devices. The preprogrammed patterns for ramping up and down the amount of axial distraction allows for higher levels of spinal decompression and disc rehydration. 

 
 

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, sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched nerves). 

 

Are there medical studies that document the effectiveness of Spinal Decompression Therapy?
 

Yes!  One study documented by MRI up to 90% reduction of disc herniations in 10 of 14 cases and other studies reported that the majority of ruptured disc patients achieved "good" to "excellent" results after spinal decompression therapy.  

The February 2007 issue of "To Your Health"    Magazine features an article about spinal decompression therapy authored by one of our doctors, James Edwards.  In the article, Dr. Edwards discusses the safety and effectiveness of this non-surgical treatment for spinal disc herniations.

Click here to read the article.

Research indicates the disc is responsible for a significant number of Lumbar/Leg pain and neck/arm pain syndromes. Compression increases intradiscal pressure leading to annular compromise and possible extrusion of nuclear material.
  

 

 

Spinal decompression addresses the functional and mechanical aspects of discogenic pain and disease through non-surgical decompression of lumbar intervertebral discs. Studies verify the significant reduction of intradiscal pressures into the negative range, to approximately minus 150 mm/HG, which result in the non-surgical decompression of the disc and nerve root. Conventional traction has never demonstrated a reduction of intradiscal pressure to negative ranges; on the contrary - many traction devices actually increased intradiscal pressure, most likely due to reflex muscle spasm. The spinal decompression table is designed to apply distraction tension to the patient’s lumbar spine without eliciting reflex paravertebral muscle contractions.  

The most recent clinical study of 219 patients has showed that spinal decompression therapy provided an immediate resolution of symptoms for 86% of the participants, while 84% remained pain-free 90 days post-treatment.
 

Are there conditions where Spinal Decompression Therapy is not indicated?
 

• Spinal decompression therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, patients who have severe osteoporosis, severe obesity or severe nerve damage.
• 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. 
  

  
 How Long Are Treatments And How Many Do You Need?

Patients typically undergo 20 treatment sessions. Each treatment lasts between 30-45 minutes. This, of course, depends on your individual case and is determined by a thorough evaluation. Following each session, a hot orcold pack and electric muscle stimulation will be applied to help pain relief and speed the healing process. It is important to note that many patients get substantial, immediate relief after just a few treatments. Some after just one. The really good news is…this is not something you have to continue to do for the rest of your life! So it is not a big commitment

Are the sessions painful, how many will be needed and what is the cost?
 

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

Our customary fee for each spinal decompression session is only $75 which means the total cost will be a small fraction of the $5,000+ amounts that some other doctors are charging.  Your complete decompression for the typical 20 treatments will cost a total of $1,500.  A typical surgical bill of the lower back is on average  $35,000!  (Along with a scar and a 33% failure rate)  Other decompression machines such as the DRX 9000 costs between $5,000 and $8,000 for the same amount of treatment!

If your insurance company covers spinal decompression therapy, reimbursement varies but your out-of-pocket expense for all needed services could be as little as your co-payment.

If not covered by insurance, we offer The Help Card that will allow you to make monthly payments.
 

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), chiropractic adjustments (as indicated) and/or active rehabilitation in order to strengthen the spinal musculature. Spinal decompression therapy in conjunction with additional modalities effectively relieves the pain and disability resulting from disc injury and degeneration, by repairing damaged discs and reversing dystrophic  changes in nerves.

Our spinal decompression program is extremely comprehensive, covering spinal decompression, physical therapy, chiropractic, cold-laser therapy, orthotics and nutritional supplements. Read how these pieces are assembled together to make up our three stage spinal decompression program.

What Are The Treatments Like?

After lying on the comfortable spinal decompression bed, you will be fitted with an automatic shoulder support system. The automatic shoulder support system helps to stabilize your upper body. The advanced computer system automatically adjusts to the proper angle of distraction, an air bladder system acts as a fulcrum to the angle of pull, allowing us to target specific discs…that are causing your pain and symptoms. The distractive forces utilize a logarithmic curve to avoid proprioceptor response, which would create muscle spasm. The split table design decreases friction and allows separation of the vertebra, minimizing the effect of gravity.

Basically, you lay down and the spinal decompression computer simulates an anti-gravity effect on your back that helps herniated material return to its normal position and stop the pain. Patients describe the treatment as gentle, painless, intermittent pulling of your back. Many patients actually fall asleep during treatment!
 

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 to arrange a consultation with one of our doctors.
Please remember to bring any MRI reports so the doctor can review them and best advise you about your treatment options.  

Call 801-475-1800 for a no charge, no obligation FREE consultation, examination and review of MRI's to determine if Triton DTS Decompression will be the right treatment for you to help your condition!
   OR..You may make an appointment now online by pressing the link below "Request an Appointment".