WHAT
IS VAX-D®?
Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D®) is a non-surgical
procedure developed for the treatment of painful and disabling
low back disorders caused by disc herniations (subligamentous
and extruded), degenerative disc disease, sciatica and posterior
facet arthrosis.
VAX-D® is designed to relieve pressure on structures that
cause low back pain. The VAX-D® procedure relieves the
pressure by achieving decompression of intervertebral discs
and facet joints scientifically managed by a programmable
logic controller.
BENEFITS OF VAX-D®
The effectiveness of the VAX-D® Treatment has been the
subject of published clinical studies which highlight the
following benefits achieved in the majority of patients:
- Relief of acute or chronic (long term) low back pain
and/or associated leg pain or numbness, generally within
1 month
- Successful in over 70% of patients *
- Early return to work
- Non-invasive and safe
- No patient hospitalization
* Earl E. Gose, William K. Naguszewski and Robert K. Naguszewski, "Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated
with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: An
outcome study" University of Illinois at Chicago, published
in The Journal of Neurological Research, Volume 20, April
1998
HOW IS VAX-D® TREATMENT APPLIED?
Patients with low back pain are first examined and then evaluated
in accordance with the indications for VAX-D® Treatment.
Patient medical histories, X-rays and CT/MRI scans are carefully
reviewed to determine whether the individual patient qualifies
for the procedure. If a patient qualifies for VAX-D® Treatment,
an individual treatment plan (usually consisting of 20 treatment
sessions) is developed to meet their specific needs. Each
session is carefully monitored and reviewed in order to maximize
the potential benefits to the patient.
Each session begins by fitting the patient with a patented
pelvic harness designed to achieve optimal decompression of
the lumbar spine. The patient lies fully dressed on the VAX-D®
device and is properly positioned by a certified VAX-D®
technician to maximize comfort and safety. The controls and
settings are adjusted in accordance with the individual patient's
treatment plan, and the procedure commences. The VAX-D® device then applies precisely controlled tension along the
axis of the spinal column to distract the vertebral segments
and posterior facets of the lumbar spine and decompress the
intervertebral discs. Each distraction cycle, lasting 60 seconds,
is followed by a relaxation cycle of similar duration.
Each session, which consists of 15 continuous cycles of distraction/relaxation,
takes about 30 minutes. The fully automated process of VAX-D® treatment is managed by a programmable logic controller located
in
the computer programmed console that is continuously monitored
by the technician. A continuous chart recording is made of
the parameters achieved during each and every cycle. The chart
recording is printed to form a permanent record for the patient's
chart and is available for review by the treating physician.
 
The MRI picture which follows shows a severe herniated and
extruded lumbar disc. A radiologist and surgeon, being unfamiliar
with and having had no previous experience with VAX-D®,
both stated that surgery was the only solution available.
However the patient, not wanting to undergo surgery, elected
to be treated with VAX-D®. After VAX-D®, the MRI demonstrated
significant improvement, the patient was pain free and returned
to normal activities.
 
WHO INVENTED VAX-D®?
The VAX-D® Medical Device and the procedure were developed
by Allan E. Dyer, Ph.D., M.D. A former Deputy Minister of
Health in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Dyer is licensed by the College
of Physicians and Surgeons in Ontario, the National Board
of Examiners USA, and the College of Pharmacy in Ontario.
Dr. Dyer also pioneered and published the research leading
to the development of the transthoracic heart defibrillator
while completing his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in
Ontario, Canada.
Dr. Dyer himself suffered a herniated disc. After conventional
therapy failed, Dr. Dyer formulated the theories that lead
to the design and development of VAX-D®. After spending
more that 6 years in research and development of the treatment
and device, Dr. Dyer introduced VAX-D® in 1991. Today
there are over 140 VAX-D® units operating throughout the
United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia. The number
of patients being treated today by VAX-D® exceeds 1,000
per month.
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