| Several studies have been completed and reported on | | | | Therapy with that of the TENS ( Transcutaneous |
| the success rates of the treatment of Chronic Low | | | | Electrical Nerve Stimulation) unit. TENS is a small unit |
| Back Pain using the mechanized Spinal Decompression | | | | which can be worn during therapy. This FDA approved |
| machine. One study recently appeared in May 2007 in | | | | treatment for back pain delivers low-volt electrical |
| Chiropractic and Osteopathy. It compared success | | | | current to the affected area through electrodes. Its |
| rates from the use of a non-surgical intermittent | | | | electrodes pierce the skin just deep enough to reach |
| mechanized traction machine with the use of TENS in | | | | nerve fibers, usually 1 to 2 inches. It activates the |
| relieving low back pain due to a herniated or bulging | | | | body's pain fighting mechanisms and may be used |
| disc. | | | | several hours a day. |
| First, to understand any study, you need a picture of | | | | The Study |
| the disorder and the chronic misery it causes. Back | | | | The object of the study was to compare the |
| pain due to an injury or accident is the leading | | | | effectiveness of the two treatment methods in |
| Workmen's Comp injury and the main reason for | | | | relieving pain and improving mobility in patients with a |
| disability in people under 45. The spinal column is made | | | | bulging or herniated disc. |
| up vertebrae stacked one on top of another. Between | | | | Subjects were recruited through newspaper |
| each vertebra is a tough, fibrous cushion, called an | | | | advertisements and had to meet several criteria for |
| intervertebral disc, which contains a jelly-like substance. | | | | inclusion in the testing: |
| These discs act as cushions absorbing shock and | | | | - Disc protrusion or herniation confirmed by MRI |
| allowing the spine to bend, twist and turn. Healthy discs | | | | (Magnetic Resonate Imaging) or CT scan |
| are thick, flexible and compress when pressure is put | | | | (Computerized Tomography) |
| upon them, like a sponge. | | | | - Low Back Pain for 3 months or more; could be |
| When there is an injury, the vertebra may shift out of | | | | associated with pain radiating to one or both legs. |
| alignment or compress the disc causing the disc to | | | | - Average duration of pain was 7.3 years |
| bulge or rupture, out the jelly like substance. This | | | | The study enrolled 44 patients; the average age was |
| herniated disc or bulging disc causes pressure on the | | | | 42 years. The group was initially divided into 2 groups |
| spinal nerves, resulting in pain, numbness, and may | | | | of 22 people each. |
| progress to decreased function in the affected arm or | | | | - Spinal Decompression treatments consisted of 30 |
| leg. | | | | minute sessions, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. This |
| It is also known as: | | | | was followed by once a week treatment for 4 |
| - a pinched nerve | | | | additional weeks. |
| - sciatica | | | | - The TENS Group received treatment with a TENS |
| - a blown out disc | | | | unit for 30 minutes daily for 20 days. This was |
| - a slipped disc | | | | followed by a weekly treatment for 4 additional |
| The protrusion of the disc or its core material not only | | | | weeks. |
| causes pressure on the spinal nerves, it compresses | | | | - Both groups were able to take anti-inflammatory and |
| blood vessels and interferes with circulation to the | | | | non-narcotic pain relievers. |
| area. Deprived of nutrients and oxygen, the disc | | | | The Results |
| cannot heal, and, over time, flattens, becoming stiff and | | | | The outcome was measured by the 10 centimeter |
| hard, just like a dry sponge. This condition develops into | | | | Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and a disability scale. |
| degenerative disc disease. | | | | The disability scale rated the subject's ability to |
| Standard treatment has included: | | | | perform their most affected activity on a 0 to 4 scale, |
| - Physical/chiropractic therapy | | | | with 4 being "could do an activity without limitation". |
| - epidural injections (an injection into the epidural space | | | | Success was defined as a 50% improvement in the |
| of the spinal cord) | | | | VAS, showing the degree of pain relief. Any decrease |
| - NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) | | | | in disability was given a positive rating. During the study, |
| - Hot or cold packs with massage | | | | 4 subjects dropped out, leaving 19 in the |
| - Electrical stimulation (TENS) | | | | Decompression Group and 21 in the TENS Group, a |
| - Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression | | | | total of 40 participants. |
| - Acupuncture | | | | Conclusions: |
| - Surgery - as a final resort | | | | Spinal Decompression: |
| A treatment method that is gaining support is | | | | - 13 out of 19 people (68.4%) showed improvement. |
| Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, in which some | | | | - The 6 months follow-up showed 7 out of 19 people |
| studies show a success rate of 71% to 90%. An FDA | | | | maintained their level of improvement |
| approved machine, using a computerized program | | | | TENS Treatment: |
| gently stretches the patient's spine, slowly drawing the | | | | - 0 out of 21 subjects showed any improvement... |
| vertebrae apart, relieving pressure on the disc, allowing | | | | Additional scientific studies are being planned or are |
| it to heal. | | | | underway now to demonstrate conclusively the |
| Testing of the machine continues and a recent study | | | | treatment effectiveness of Spinal Decompression |
| compares treatment results of Decompression | | | | Therapy. |