We see a lot of patients with spinal disc problems, either in the lower back or neck.
Many are in that difficult position where they have tried different forms of hands-on treatment and exercise but still find themselves struggling with their back pain. So what next?
Our IDD Therapy Disc Treatment service is here for patients who have a disc problem but who need something more for their back pain.
The common conditions we treat with IDD Therapy include slipped discs, herniated discs, degenerative discs and related conditions such as leg pain (sciatica) and nerve pain in the arms.
Targeted Disc Treatment
Targeted Disc TreatmentWe pride ourselves on our manual treatment skills but when it comes to long term disc problems, IDD Therapy helps to relieve pressure on the specific spinal segment causing the problem.
IDD Therapy is a treatment programme delivered using the Accu SPINA. The Accu SPINA allows us to apply computer-controlled pulling forces at precisely measured angles to gently distract (draw apart) and mobilise targeted spinal segments.
Distracting vertebral joints relieves pressure on the disc and any pinched or irritated nerves (a cause of sciatic pain) whilst promoting the movement and absorption of fluids and nutrients in the disc space. These fluids and nutrients are essential for disc health.
Whilst distracting the vertebrae IDD Therapy also works tight or stiff muscles and ligaments, helping to get more movement into the joints.
The body has a natural maintenance and healing mechanism. By progressively improving the mobility in a joint, these mechanisms can operate more effectively and help to relieve back pain.
As a patient, you will typically undergo a series of IDD Therapy treatments as a function of the nature and severity of your condition. Then as treatment progresses, we gradually introduce some gentle exercises as our goal for you is long term pain relief.
IDD Therapy is safe, gentle and non-invasive and there is no upper age limit to having treatment. You remain fully clothed and relaxed throughout treatment and some patients have even been known to go to sleep.
The Sports Injury Clinic is an approved IDD Therapy Disc Clinic serving Cambridgeshire and Essex.
To read more about IDD Therapy go to www.iddtherapy.co.uk
Read how Rory Sasse got his life back in just 6 weeks after life changing IDD Therapy treatment www.thesportsinjuryclinic.org/life-changing-spinal-technology-comes-to-newmarket
FAQ
FAQ How long is a treatment?
Each IDD treatment lasts for one hour. Sessions begin with 10 minutes of heat therapy using TherMedic to warm the tissues and get blood flow into the injured area. You then have IDD Therapy which lasts for 25 minutes on the SPINA machine. Afterwards we give you 10 minutes cold therapy. This is just to calm the treated area before you go home. You remain comfortable throughout.
How much is treatment?
Each session lasts for one hour and is billed as a one hour treatment. The price is £75 which is less than the price of two 30 minute treatments.
How many treatments will I need?
This is an important question and one which the team will discuss with you. It really does depend on the duration and severity of your condition. People with mild back pain may experience symptomatic relief within a few sessions, but for long term problems, most patients will need a course of treatment.
A typical course for chronic issues will be 10 sessions over a 4 to 5 week period. For patients with serious spine issues who are facing surgery, the original protocol is based around an intensive course of 20 treatments. There is of course no such thing as a cure all for back pain. If for any reason you are not responding to the treatment in the way we would like, then we will advise you accordingly and stop the treatment.
Why do I need a course of treatments?
When patients have back pain or neck pain for some time, spinal segments become stiff and immobile. The discs in the spine rely on movement for their hydration and nutrition. To undo the compression and immobility of an injured disc, IDD Therapy uses computer-controlled pulling forces to open the spinal segment and then mobilise it. To do this we have to use comparatively higher forces than can be achieved with manual therapy. And we need to progressively increase the pulling forces to achieve the goals.
So rather like exercising requires more than one session for the body to adapt and become fitter/stronger, addressing the causes of back pain means the body has to gently adapt to treatment. This simply cannot be achieved overnight or in just a couple of sessions, hence the requirement to have a course of treatment.
We would all like a simple solution but the reality is, chronic back pain takes time.
Should I bring an MRI?
If you have an MRI, bring one with you. The MRI helps us to confirm the spinal level we wish to treat and also the nature of the disc problem. That will help us get a picture of the protocol which will give us the best chance for success.
If you don’t have an MRI, we can discuss this with you and arrange one where appropriate.
Do I need to get undressed?
No, you remain fully clothed throughout. You can wear normal clothes, so long as they are comfortable. Ladies should wear trousers, leggings or loose fitting tracksuit.
Is IDD Therapy painful?
No. The treatment is intended to be comfortable. Whilst considerable pulling forces are used, they are delivered in a way that the body is comfortable. Much better than the traction machines of old. Many patients go to sleep because the treatment is relaxing. A by product of treatment is the release of endorphins so treatment feels good.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes. The treatment is safe with many patients going to sleep during treatment. The treatment progresses gently with the added reassurance that if at any time a patient does feel uncomfortable, the patient can press a treatment stop button. In this instance, the treatment stops smoothly.
Why does the bed tilt upright?
When IDD Therapy was developed, part of the design was to resolve problems associated with traditional traction ( a mechanical treatment). The patient steps on to the bed in an upright position without having to twist (and put pressure on the disc). However, the main purpose of the bed tilt is for when patients finish treatment. After the controlled treatment, the patient is brought upright slowly and gently so that they return to weight bearing progressively, without any twisting movements.
What about exercise?
We will guide you on which exercises are suitable. Initially we don’t want you to exercise because the body is getting used to the treatment, then there are some simple exercises. Nothing too strenuous and we don’t just send you on your way with a sheet of exercises!
Will a spinal injection help my pain?
Spinal injections are given to help ease inflammation, typically on the facet joints, which is a cause of pain. They are intended to create a window of pain relief for rehabilitation. An injection is not intended to address the problems of compression of discs or stiffness in the spine. Spinal injections in isolation are not a long term solution for most patients.
I have had surgery, can I still have IDD Therapy?
Patients who have had surgery can opt for IDD Therapy. The two criteria are that the surgery was carried out six months ago and that there are no implants in the spine. Talk to the team if you would like to discuss your spinal history.
How may treatments have been carried out in the UK?
In the past 5 years over 37,000 treatments have been carried out in the UK alone and IDD Therapy is the first choice non-invasive disc treatment when manual therapy is not working, in areas where it is available. There are over 1,000 clinics internationally providing IDD Therapy, including surgeons, physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors.
Want to know more?
You can make an appointment with one of our practitioners. If you call, just ask about a spine appointment and IDD. Our practitioners will assess your condition and give you a good understanding of whether IDD Therapy is suitable for you.
To book an appointment call us on 01638 389671
IDD Therapy treatment is one treatment tool we use and as part of your assessment we will advise you on the most applicable treatment for your individual needs.
We look forward to seeing you.
To read more about IDD Therapy, take a look at www.iddtherapy.co.uk
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