Alex Maracio, MD, MBA, Stanford University
Senil J. Panchal, MD, COPE Foundation, Florida Pain Management
Charlotte Richmond, PhD, Nema Research, Biomedical Research & Education Foundation
Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Jr., MD, Johns Hopkins University & Nema Research

Objective

• Conduct retrospective chart audit to assess outcomes of a random sample of outpatients treated with motorized spinal decompression via the DRX900™ for chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks.

Methods

• Data from charts of 100 audits cared for in 2004-2006 at four clinics. One hospital based and three free-standing, were abstracted using a standardized data collection form.
• Protected health information was accessed in accordance with the HIPPA privacy rule. Workman’s compensation patients were excluded.
• DRX sessions (28-30 minutes each) were for 8 weeks (mean) with 4-5 sessions the first week tapering to one session/wk (mean treatments = 23).
• Treatment protocol included instruction on lumbar stretching exercises and ice or muscle stimulation after DRX sessions.
• Pain, analgesic use, and activities of daily living were assessed pre and post treatment.

Results

• Subjects (62% female, 94% white, mean age 55, 55% employed) had mean pain score 5.99 on a 0 to 10 scale (0=no pain  10=worst pain) at time of initial presentation that decreased to 0.87 after last DRX treatment. NSAID (41% of patients) and opoid (24% of the patients) use decreased (<5%) after treatment.

Conclusion

• Overall, patients’ pain improved after DRX treatment, requiring fewer analgesics, with better function. Practice variability exists in how clinics use the DRX9000™.

>To read the full report, click here to download the PDF.

Dr. Ram Parikh, D.C. Butler PA Chiropractor, has helped thousands of patients in his chiropractic clinic.  He treats: back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, discs, sciatica, whiplash along with other spine related issues. Dr. Ram, D.C. specializes in Spinal Decompression and DRX protocol, but always works with a patient to discover the root of their pain and prescribes the best course of treatment accordingly.  Dr. Ram Parikh, D.C. is located at 227. South Chestnut Street in Butler PA, call 724- 431-4444 or visit our contact page.

Alex Maracio, MD, MBA, Stanford University
Senil J. Panchal, MD, COPE Foundation, Florida Pain Management
Charlotte Richmond, PhD, Nema Research, Biomedical Research & Education Foundation
Joseph V. Pergolizzi, Jr., MD, Johns Hopkins University & Nema Research

Objective

• Conduct retrospective chart audit to assess outcomes of a random sample of outpatients treated with motorized spinal decompression via the DRX9000™ for chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks.

Methods

• Data from charts of 100 audits cared for in 2004-2006 at four clinics, one hospital-based and three free-standing, were abstracted using a standardized data collection form.
• Protected health information was accessed in accordance with HIPPA privacy rule. Workman’s compensation patients were excluded.
• DRX sessions (28-30 minutes each) were for 8 weeks (mean) with 4-5 sessions the first week tapering to one session/wk (mean treatments = 23)
• Treatment protocol included instruction on lumbar stretching exercises and ice or muscle stimulation after the DRX sessions.
• Pain, analgesic use, and activities of daily living were assessed pre and post treatment.

Results

• Subjects (62% female, 94% white, mean age 55, 53% employed) had  mean pain score 5.99 on a 0 to 10 scale (0=No pain  10=Worst pain) at time of initial presentation that decreased 0.87 after last DRX treatment. NSAID (41% of patients) and opioid (24% of patients) use decreased (<5%) after treatment.
• Patients reported a mean 90% improvement in back pain, and better function as measured by activities of daily living. On a 0 to 10 scale (0=Not satisfied  10=Very satisfied) patients rated the DRX9000™ an 8.98 (Fig. 11).
• No patients required more invasive therapies (e.g., surgery)

Conclusion

• Chronic LBP improves after treatment
• Require fewer analgesics after treatment
• Achieve better function after treatment
• No patients contracted required surgery
• Practice variability exists in how clinics add adjunct therapies to DRX
• difficult to assess placebo or spontaneous recovery versus DRX without control group
• Randomized clinical trials are needed to measure efficacy of motorized spinal decompression
• Prospective trials with long-term assessment needed

>To read the full report, click here to download the PDF.

Dr. Ram Parikh, D.C. Butler PA Chiropractor, has helped thousands of patients in his chiropractic clinic.  He treats: back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, discs, sciatica, whiplash along with other spine related issues.  Dr. Ram, D.C. specializes in Spinal Decompression and DRX protocol, but always works with a patient to discover the root of their pain and prescribes the best course of treatment accordingly.  Dr. Ram Parikh, D.C. is located at 227. South Chestnut Street in Butler PA, call 724- 431-4444 or visit our contact page.