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IDD Therapy: Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Herniated Discs?

Low back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal disorders globally, often leading to invasive procedures like surgery or steroid injections. As an alternative, IDD Therapy (Intervertebral Differential Dynamics Therapy) has emerged as an innovative, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment specifically designed for herniated discs, prolapsed discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica.

Developed in the late 1990s, IDD Therapy addresses the limitations of traditional traction and manual therapies. Unlike conventional methods, the Accu-Spina device used in IDD Therapy targets individual lumbar segments with precise distraction forces, aiding in decompression of the affected disc. By incorporating primary and secondary oscillatory waveforms, IDD Therapy also engages neuromuscular components, potentially enhancing recovery (Shealy, 2009).

 

Methodology: IDD Therapy Clinical Observational Study

 

In this IDD Therapy observational study, 24 patients underwent non-surgical IDD spinal decompression treatment over 20 sessions within a six-week period. The therapy protocol involved:

  • Distraction force starting at half the patient’s body weight minus 20 lbs, gradually increasing to half body weight plus 20 lbs.
  • Specific angle targeting the most symptomatic disc level for focused decompression.

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Chronic low back pain lasting over 1 year
  • MRI-confirmed herniated disc, prolapsed disc bulge, degenerative disc disease, or foraminal stenosis with radicular pain
  • Failed previous treatments (physiotherapy, chiropractic, osteopathy, facet joint injections)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Osteoporosis, severe scoliosis, spinal hardware, unresolved fractures
  • Severe canal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or unstable spinal defects
  • Pregnancy or pacemaker presence

 

Results: Outcomes of IDD Therapy for Pain and Disability Index

Pain Reduction:

  • Pre-treatment median pain score: 6/10
  • Post-treatment median pain score: 1/10
  • Statistically significant improvement (p = 0.0000054)
  • 83% reduction in pain scores

Oswestry Disability Index (ODI):

  • 65% of patients completing IDD Therapy experienced a clinically significant decrease in disability
  • Even incomplete treatment courses showed a positive trend in ODI reduction

 

Discussion: Is IDD Therapy Effective for Herniated and Prolapsed Discs?

These findings suggest IDD Therapy is highly effective in reducing both pain and disability associated with chronic disc-related low back pain. Results are comparable to other clinical studies:

  • Schimmel et al. (2009): Significant reduction in VAS pain scores and ODI
  • Shealy (2005): 65% pain reduction with long-term effectiveness at 1 year post-treatment
  • Schaufele & Newsome (2011): IDD Therapy matched outcomes of intensive lumbar stabilisation physiotherapy

 

Conclusion: Is IDD Therapy the Best Non-Surgical Solution?

For patients with herniated discs, prolapsed discs, degenerative disc disease, and other lumbar spine issues unresponsive to conventional care, IDD Therapy offers a non-invasive, clinically validated alternative to surgery. With substantial reductions in pain and disability scores, IDD Therapy stands out as one of the best non-surgical treatments for disc-related spinal conditions.

 

Further Information:

Watch our detailed IDD Therapy video to learn more about this revolutionary spinal decompression treatment.

 

References (Selected):

  • Cholewicki J. et al. (2009). Manual Therapy.
  • Schimmel J. et al. (2009). European Spine Journal.
  • Shealy CN. (2005). Practical Pain Management.
  • Schaufele MK & Newsome N. (2011). Phys Med Rehab Kuror.

“Contact us today to learn more about IDD Therapy or to book a free phone assessment to see if you are eligible for treatment” 

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