Expert: Gerald Anzalone, D.C. - 11/18/2007

Question
I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING OF LOWER BACK PAIN FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS (SINCE I WAS 26 YEARS), WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AS SMALL BULGE IN L5-S1,,, IT GOES FROM LEVEL 10 SOMETIMES TO LEVEL 2-3 SOMETIMES, SPECIALLY WHEN I GO FOR VACATION AND CHANGE MY ROUTINE T GETS VERY WELL.

A LOCAL CHIROPRACTOR SENT ME AN INVITATION TO FREE TRIAL OF DRX 9000. DOES THAT SYSTEM REALLY WORK? HE CLAIMS I HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT CASH OR SIGN FOR A LOAN AS THERE IS NO INSURANCE COVER IT AS IT'S A NEW SYSTEM AND NEVER BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA, IS THAT TRUE? WHY IT'S NOT APPROVED? ANY SIDE EFFECTS? THANK U

Answer
Thank you for your question.

Insurance companies do not provide coverage for "spinal decompression" devices because they regard these devices as an unproven technology. Anecdotally, some patients report benefit from using them, while others report no benefit. Claims by manufacturers of spinal decompression devices of an 86% success rate were based one rather loosely conducted study. I do not know if these devices are approved by the FDA or what criteria are required for their approval.

There is nothing in the current research to suggest that these devices are any more effective than other variants of mechanical traction, which also axial spinal traction and flexion-distraction manipulation. Doctors of Chiropractic typically use these devices. Some physical therapists may use axial traction.

One main difference between spinal decompression units and other axial traction units is the cost. Spinal decompression devices can run between approximately $75,000 to $100,000 or more for the practitioner to purchase, their use is not covered by insurance companies, and other axial traction devices available to practitioners cost a fraction of the amount of money of spinal decompression units and provide satisfactory results for a certain group of patients. Thus, the issue becomes one of marketing versus evidence-based practices.

In order to determine if a patient might be a candidate for any form of traction therapy, a thorough examination is required. Some patients would benefit more from a supervised course of exercise or physiotherapy, some from spinal manipulation, or other modalities.

I hope that this answers your question.