It is difficult to find someone who has not struggled with back pain at some point in their life. For some, it gets better in a few days, but for others, it becomes a lifelong problem. So, you may be someone who has suffered from back pain despite taking medication, undergoing various therapies, and perhaps even undergoing surgery. So, today, let's talk about the latest treatment for this, which does not require surgery.
Why is back pain so common? What do we usually do?
Simply put, our lifestyle has a big impact on this. Back pain can occur for many reasons, such as sitting in one place all day, lifting weights incorrectly, and lack of exercise. This condition is very common among us in Sri Lanka.
What do we usually do when we have back pain? We see a doctor, take painkillers, use muscle relaxants, get some rest, and go to physical therapy. While some people get relief from these things, for many this only provides temporary relief. The pain comes back. When the condition is severe, sometimes surgery is even necessary. But even after surgery, there is no 100% guarantee that the pain will go away completely. So it is at times like these that new treatments like VAX-D are being discussed.
What is VAX-D? How does it work?
VAX-D is an acronym for vertebral axial decompression . It's actually a specially designed therapeutic table-like device. It does a very simple thing: it reduces pressure on the intervertebral discs between the vertebrae in your spine.
Imagine, our spine is like a stack of biscuits. There is something like jelly between those biscuits. That jelly-like part is what we call `discs`. When we work incorrectly, when we lift weights, these `discs` can bulge, protrude, and press on the nerves. That's when unbearable pain occurs.
The VAX-D device gently and controlledly stretches the spine, allowing the compressed discs to recover. When this pressure is reduced, nutrients and oxygen can flow more easily into the disc, speeding up the healing process. This is not surgery, and there is no need for anesthesia.
Is this treatment really effective? What is the medical opinion?
Here's the important thing. There are different opinions about this treatment. Some studies have shown that it is very effective. For example, in one study of 778 patients, 71%, or seven out of ten, had significant pain relief.
However, some doctors and specialists are still skeptical about this, mainly because there have not been enough large-scale, randomized clinical trials to prove the effectiveness of this treatment.
Some specialists point out that "about 70% of people with back pain will recover over time, regardless of what treatment you use or not. So a 70% success rate is not surprising."
Because of this, even many insurance companies are still reluctant to pay for this treatment. Let's look at these different opinions in the table below.
| Opinion in favor of VAX-D treatment | Skeptical opinion about VAX-D treatment |
|---|---|
| No surgery required and no anesthesia required. | Not enough, extensive research has been done to prove success. |
| Having shown a success rate of over 70% in studies. | Similar to traditional traction treatment, but more expensive. |
| It can provide relief even to patients who have failed other treatments. | Not yet covered by many insurance companies. |
So who is this suitable for?
VAX-D treatment is usually recommended for people with the following conditions:
- Herniated discs : This means that the `disc` we mentioned earlier has protruded.
- Degenerated discs: Pain that occurs when the discs wear down with age.
- Sciatica: Pain caused by a herniated disc that impinges on the sciatic nerve, which runs down the leg.
- Back pain that persists after surgery.
However, this treatment is not suitable for pregnant women, those with severe osteoporosis, those with spinal implants, and those with certain cancers .
How does the treatment work?
This is a very simple process.
1. All you have to do is lie down on that special table, completely clothed .
2. A special belt (pelvic harness) is worn around your waist.
3. As the table slowly separates into two parts using a computer system, tension is applied to your spine through the belt.
4. Do this for a while, then relax your back again. Do this several times.
5. The entire process takes about 30 minutes. It is generally recommended to do this treatment about 20 times daily.
If you feel uncomfortable during this treatment, you can stop it at any time. There are two special handles for that. So there is nothing to be afraid of.
After treatment, doctors advise avoiding lifting more than 50 pounds, bending over, or kneeling on the floor for several weeks.
Take-Home Message
- Back pain is very common. While many people find relief from conventional treatments, some do not find long-term relief.
- VAX-D is a new treatment that relieves pain by reducing pressure on the spinal discs without surgery.
- Although some studies have shown that this treatment is effective, there are still differing opinions within the medical community about it. So don't consider this a "miracle cure."
- Some patients who have failed all other treatments may find relief from VAX-D.
- Most importantly: Before choosing any treatment, talk to your doctor about it and decide what is best for your condition. Don't try anything without medical advice.
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