Low back pain is one of the most significant health problems facing Canadians, according to Health Canada. So, with eight out of 10 Canadians having back pain at some time in their lives, it’s no wonder Dr. Akhavan, D.C., has people waiting to begin treatment with an innovative non-surgical lower back pain treatment.

“The people who walk to our office suffer from chronic debilitating pain caused by herniated or bulging disc, degenerative disc disease and sciatica,” states Dr. Akhavan. “Many come to us as last option as the vast majorities are stuck between surgery or suffering.” When they do come to him, most get better thanks to his FDA-approved spinal decompression technology.

A little less than a year ago, Dr. Akhavan brought on board an innovative spinal decompression machine — the DRX9000 — and today, much of his practice consists of the patients he once had to turn away.

 “I have experienced wonderful relief from my left sciatic pain and significant pain relief in my lower back,” says Doug Hughes of Surrey. “Thanks to the DRX9000 therapy, I am able to sleep most of the night with very little pain.” Rose Jones-Evans, also from Surrey, says, “My results have been excellent. The reduction of pain started after about three sessions and then it got better with each further session. I don’t have my right leg pain anymore. The fact that I can now socialize without that constant pain down into my leg makes me very happy.”

NASA was first to investigate the effects of space travel on inter-vertebral discs. It found that during the anti-gravity state of the mission, astronauts were relived of low back pain. It also found disc height was actually increased during a mission. This valuable information led to the development of the technology to reproduce the same effects here on earth.

“Decompressing the discs relieves pressure on the spinal nerves often caused by disc herniations, degenerative disc disease, sciatica or facet syndrome,” says Dr. Akhavan. The process using the DRX9000 equipment has been proven to relieve pain by enlarging disc space, reducing herniations, strengthening outer ligaments to help move herniated areas back into place, and reversing high intra-disc pressures through application of negative pressure. An independent study in 2004 by The Orthopedic and Technological Review reports DRX9000 reduces pain in 86 per cent of the patients with herniated discs and degenerative joint disease – without any side effects.

After being fitted with upper and lower harnesses, patients are slowly lowered to the horizontal position where they are lying on their backs with a leg support wedge that fits under their knees. During Spinal Decompression Therapy, the DRX system gently stabilizes the patient’s upper body while allowing for the lumbar spine’s decompression.

“The computer system adjusts the proper angle of distraction, and the air bladder system acts as a fulcrum to the angle of the pull, allowing us to target the specific disc that is causing the patient’s symptoms,” states Dr. Akhavan. A negative pressure is created inside the targeted disc which allows for increased blood, water and nutrient flow into the disc, making it thicker and healthier. Patients describe the treatment as a gentle, painless, intermittent pulling of their backs which can be so relaxing; many patients actually fall asleep during treatment.

Les Elton of North Vancouver reports, “Lying down on DRX9000 felt great, zero discomfort and the pain was immediately gone.” Before each treatment, heat therapy is applied to minimize muscle spasm and following each session, patients receive low intensity laser and interferential current therapies to help the tissues heal.

Patients typically undergo a series of treatment sessions over about six weeks, depending on their diagnosis. For some, relief comes immediately, often after they step off of the machine for the first time. Others report marked improvements further along in the treatment process. Dr. Akhavan notes that the average patient feels relief within about three weeks. With many applicants each month, Dr. Akhavan screens patients carefully to qualify those who will fit the 86 per cent success rate.

Those with spine cancer, severe osteoporosis, fractures, or too much instability in their backs would not qualify. The core strengthening and stabilization component of the therapy is the key to long-term success, according to Dr. Akhavan. “Once you remove the pressure from the disc, you need to go back and strengthen the core muscles to reduce chance of re-injury,” he explains. “The DRX9000 is a tool, not a cure all. It is a tool to help people get better without surgery.”
 
During the treatment program, patients are prescribed back-strengthening exercises and nutrition guidelines to support their care. Afterwards they are also encouraged to change their lifestyle and ergonomics or face a visit with the surgeon. “We encourage patients to explore where the problem came from in the first place,” says Dr. Akhavan. “The spine doesn’t tend to collapse on its own; it usually degenerates because of external and lifestyle circumstances.”

Dr. Akhavan offers the only FDA-approved spinal decompression device on the North Shore and urges anyone with disc-related low back pain to contact his office to see if they are a potential candidate for the spinal decompression.

For more information, contact Vancouver Spinal Decompression Center at 604-984-4601 or visit www.vanspinaldecompression.com

Copyright North Shore Magazine Issue Feb - Mar 07