New Member hello - question about "functional disc rehydration" therapy while under traction

[Taylor4532]

Hello it is my first post here. I have read several interesting threads on this site recently. I have degenerated discs in the lower three lumbar levels and one in the neck. I haven't had any surgeries yet. I have tried most of the conservative methods including traction while laying on a table with a machine similar to a DX9000. I did that for a few months and I am not sure it did anything. I came across a website from the Illinois Back Insitute where the guy, a Dr. Jeff, claims to have a "new" method to help rehydrate and regenerate the discs.

www.illinoisbackpain.com

From what I can tell and talking with them briefly on the phone it looks like they have you do exercises while under traction. I.e. walking on a treadmill, using an exercise ball, etc.. They claim it is different than just lying static on an inversion table or a horizontal table in that the patient is actually moving while under traction. When I read up on the DX9000 and other decompression machines I founds that the brochures also talked about rehydrating the discs.
I am wondering if anyone has heard of this Illinois Back Institute or what they think of the method and if there are any other sites around the country (US) doing this type of therapy while under traction.

[dlhvac]

im a new member also ive had pldd twice the second time because i did not listen to the doctor choi and went back to work doing hvac work and blew out my back in two discs had four discs done the first time
im interested in the stem cell rehydration for one disc l5-s1 this is half height and i havent heard about the hylauronic acid injections before this web site also the stem cell and ha injections anyone have any input

by the way pldd worked great no nmore fentanyl and morphine pills thank GOD took 10 days to detox

doug

[Justin]

Hello it is my first post here. I have read several interesting threads on this site recently. I have degenerated discs in the lower three lumbar levels and one in the neck. I haven't had any surgeries yet. I have tried most of the conservative methods including traction while laying on a table with a machine similar to a DX9000. I did that for a few months and I am not sure it did anything. I came across a website from the Illinois Back Insitute where the guy, a Dr. Jeff, claims to have a "new" method to help rehydrate and regenerate the discs.

www.illinoisbackpain.com

From what I can tell and talking with them briefly on the phone it looks like they have you do exercises while under traction. I.e. walking on a treadmill, using an exercise ball, etc.. They claim it is different than just lying static on an inversion table or a horizontal table in that the patient is actually moving while under traction. When I read up on the DX9000 and other decompression machines I founds that the brochures also talked about rehydrating the discs.
I am wondering if anyone has heard of this Illinois Back Institute or what they think of the method and if there are any other sites around the country (US) doing this type of therapy while under traction.

Hi Taylor,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

In regard to the "Dr. Jeff" website, it looks like it's a few Family Medicine physicians and a couple chiropractors. If there is a "new" way to rehydrate your discs, I'm sure the interventional spine physicians would be doing it now...not the Family Medicine physicians.

From just a brief look at their website, it looks like another website trying to spin a "new, breakthrough" way to treat the spine...many of these latest / greatest / new techniques can be found on Chiropractic websites. Remember, a Chiropractor is not a medical doctor, even though their name implies they are ("Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine"). Investigate those who are treating you, as everyone now wants to be called "doctor" (there are now "Doctors of Physical Therapy," "Doctor of Nurse Practitioner," etc.).

This "functional" traction seems like another sales tactic to put it kindly.

Anyway, my personal opinion is that traction can help, but it is very short-lived and will not provide any long-lasting effects. Traction devices are easy money makers for a lot of clinics, but offer very little to the patient. My 2 cents is you are better off spending that money on a nice massage.

Remember, the above is just my opinion. However, I've seen countless patients that have been burned by the "latest and greatest next best thing" while seeking relief for their chronic pain.

BTW: I just checked and Dr. Jeff is a Chiropractor, not a physician (MD or DO).

[dlhvac]

IM INTERESTED IN THE STEM CELL WITH HACID INJECTIONS THIS SOUNDS VERY PROMISING IS ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH THIS
IVE HAD PLDD WORKED GREAT BUT L5-S1 DESSICATED NEED TO FIX THIS TO RETURN TO FULL FUNCTION ANY HELP OUT THERE

[Taylor4532]

Hi Taylor,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

In regard to the "Dr. Jeff" website, it looks like it's a few Family Medicine physicians and a couple chiropractors. If there is a "new" way to rehydrate your discs, I'm sure the interventional spine physicians would be doing it now...not the Family Medicine physicians.

From just a brief look at their website, it looks like another website trying to spin a "new, breakthrough" way to treat the spine...many of these latest / greatest / new techniques can be found on Chiropractic websites. Remember, a Chiropractor is not a medical doctor, even though their name implies they are ("Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine"). Investigate those who are treating you, as everyone now wants to be called "doctor" (there are now "Doctors of Physical Therapy," "Doctor of Nurse Practitioner," etc.).

This "functional" traction seems like another sales tactic to put it kindly.

Anyway, my personal opinion is that traction can help, but it is very short-lived and will not provide any long-lasting effects. Traction devices are easy money makers for a lot of clinics, but offer very little to the patient. My 2 cents is you are better off spending that money on a nice massage.

Remember, the above is just my opinion. However, I've seen countless patients that have been burned by the "latest and greatest next best thing" while seeking relief for their chronic pain.

BTW: I just checked and Dr. Jeff is a Chiropractor, not a physician (MD or DO).

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the response and insight. I figured at first that their method might be something slightly different since I originally found out about it from a April 15 2011 press release on an industry medical website that I frequently check.

Chicago Doctor Illinois Back Institute</b> Develops New Non-Surgical Procedure - News, Search Jobs, Events

Perhaps these chiropractors somehow made their own press release as more of an advertisment. Too bad they don't put up several before and after MRIs or fund a clinical trial for their method. I think these practices usually don't want to put up the time or money to do that though.

[Justin]

Hi Justin,

Thanks for the response and insight. I figured at first that their method might be something slightly different since I originally found out about it from a April 15 2011 press release on an industry medical website that I frequently check.

Chicago Doctor Illinois Back Institute</b> Develops New Non-Surgical Procedure - News, Search Jobs, Events

Perhaps these chiropractors somehow made their own press release as more of an advertisment. Too bad they don't put up several before and after MRIs or fund a clinical trial for their method. I think these practices usually don't want to put up the time or money to do that though.

Hey Taylor, it was probably a "press release" that they released themselves. There are various companies that one can pay to create and distrubute a press release.