IDD Therapy Spinal Decompression Treatment

How Does IDD Therapy Work?

IDD therapy distracts (pulls apart) targeted areas of the spine. This takes the pressure off an injured or bulging disc, allowing it to heal. When the area of the spine is decompressed it relieves pain caused by muscle spasm and frees nerves and discs that have become trapped and irritated.

IDD therapy promotes the movement and absorption of fluids and nutrients within the disc. These fluids and nutrients are essential for disc health. It also stretches stiff muscles and ligaments, so that mobility and flexibility can be restored to the spine.

How IDD Therapy Can Reduce Pain

IDD Therapy targets the root cause of your pain through a process that gently separates the vertebrae, reducing pressure on the discs and promoting an optimal healing environment. Here’s how it works:

• Decompression of Spinal Structures: By carefully pulling apart specific spinal segments, IDD Therapy alleviates pressure on bulging or herniated discs, facilitating natural healing processes.
• Enhanced Fluid Movement: The therapy encourages the movement of fluids and nutrients within the disc itself, vital for disc health and recovery.
• Improved Flexibility and Mobility: Stretching tight muscles and ligaments, IDD Therapy restores spinal flexibility, enabling you to return to your daily activities without the shadow of pain.

What Does IDD Therapy Involve?

IDD Therapy is delivered by the Accu-SPINA range of FDA-cleared Class II medical devices. These new machines use sophisticated computer software to apply controlled pulling forces at measured angles in a precise and safe manner to a patient who remains fully clothed, comfortable and relaxed on the treatment bed.

Ergonomic harnesses connect the patient to the Accu-SPINA machine and taking into account the patient’s weight and condition, a distraction force (stretch) is applied to targeted segments of the spine. Pulling forces are gradually increased over the course of treatments as the body becomes conditioned to the treatment. All aspects of IDD Therapy are recorded by the Accu-SPINA machine.

In addition to treatment on the Accu-SPINA machine, patients begin with ten minutes of infrared heat applied to their lower back using new carbon fabric infrared pads worn against the body (Thermedic). These infrared pads help to relieve pain and increase blood flow in the target area. Warming muscles and ligaments help to make them more supple and this allows a deeper and more comfortable distraction on the machine.
Each treatment lasts for between 45 minutes and 1 hour and is priced at £80 IDD-Therapy may be classified under “Physiotherapy” for your health insurance. You may be able to receive full or partial compensation for your treatment costs. The treatment will typically be spread over 4-6 weeks, the number of sessions you need will be dependent on your condition.

Who is Suitable for IDD Therapy?

IDD is suitable for patients suffering from unresolved back pain, neck pain, leg pain (sciatica) or arm pain caused by spinal nerve root irritation. Most commonly, patients with bulging or herniated discs (‘slipped disc’), degenerative disc disease and chronic stiffness in the lower back are candidates for treatment.

In most cases, patients have had back pain for more than three months. They will have already had standard conservative treatments and feel that their unresolved back pain is continuing to impact negatively on their life. Patients may be taking pain medications and in the extreme, may be considering pain injections and/or surgery.