1. How many treatments are required to get the desired outcome? According to published studies, individuals with chronic (long-term) conditions will require approximately 24 visits to see long-term physiological changes.
2. How likely am I to find relief from my pain? A person with persistent back or neck pain has a 91 percent probability of receiving full or very considerable pain relief, according to a recently published research study by Dr. Timothy Burkhart of Hill DT Solutions. Many individuals are able to avoid having to have surgery.
3. How much is this going to cost me? For one location, the program costs around $3,300, and for two areas, it costs around $4,600. There are payment plans available.
4. What are the various components of an effective decompression program? Each component is necessary because they all work together to create the best potential outcome during the healing process. It’s critical not to pick and choose, but to complete all of them.
- Decompression 24 sessions is the recommended dosage for long-term treatment, according to study. Decompression costs $50 each session for one area and $25 per session for the second.
- Chiropractic adjustments for the technique we utilize, 12-24 sessions is usually the best dosage.
- For chronic pain, MLS laser therapy (24 sessions) is indicated. For one area, MLS is $50 a session, and for a second area, it is $25 per session.
- Rehab – we utilize the BackSys ($50) to strengthen the lower back for low back issues. We utilize the Cox Isotonic Neck device ($35) to strengthen the neck muscles for neck issues. To complement the progress we accomplish in the clinic, it’s critical that you do your rehab activities at home.
- Foot Levelers orthotics ($275) have been demonstrated to reduce low back pain by 35% and are recommended for all individuals with low back discomfort. Exclusively Yours custom pillows ($120) are recommended for all cervical decompression patients and provide enough nightly support.
- Supplementation with nutrients – we utilize Disc Discovery, which has the nutrients that spinal discs require for repair and regeneration. This must be taken throughout the program. The cost is $23 a bottle, with three bottles utilized over the course of the three-month program.
When taken as a whole, this comprehensive care package produces the finest results.
5. Will the relief I experience be long-lasting? According to published research, more than half of patients were able to remain pain-free or close to pain-free for up to four years after therapy finished.
6. How does this compare to regular traction therapy? In a nutshell, no. Decompression therapy causes real decompression in the spine, which means it lowers disc pressure to a negative level. Traditional traction or inversion therapy allows the spine to extend, which is useful, but it does not reduce disc pressure sufficiently to achieve a negative amount. Decompression therapy provided good to outstanding relief in 86 percent of patients with herniated discs and 75 percent of patients with facet syndrome in a head-to-head trial. In patients with herniated discs, traction therapy had no great results, and only 50% of patients with facet syndrome had good to excellent results.
7. What disorders are treated with spinal decompression? Facet syndrome, failed spine surgery, or failure to respond to traditional chiropractic, physical therapy, steroid injections, or pain medication. Degenerated discs, herniated discs, bulging discs, facet syndrome, failed spine surgery, or failure to respond to traditional chiropractic, physical therapy, steroid injections, or pain medication.
8. Why isn’t this service provided by other chiropractors and physical therapists in our area? Many chiropractors and physical therapists are hesitant to handle patients with complicated back pain. And most people in our area lack Dr. Kyle’s additional training and qualifications. Decompression therapy is a specialist treatment for these conditions. The decompression therapy table is an expensive piece of equipment, and some doctors may be hesitant to purchase one.
9. Why isn’t decompression therapy covered by my insurance? Some components of your chiropractic care, such as chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic therapies, and rehab exercises, may be reimbursed by insurance. Insurance does not cover postural supports, supplements, the MLS laser, or decompression therapy. Decompression is a relatively new technology, and some new treatment choices take time for insurance to pay. Decompression therapy has also been demonstrated to be helpful, and it works so well that practically everyone with neck or back discomfort would try it if insurance covered it. For insurance firms, this would be unprofitable.
Is spinal decompression covered under insurance?
- For patients who do not have health insurance, spinal decompression normally costs $20 to $200 per visit, with 20 to 35 treatments totaling $400 to $5,000. The Kansas City Spine Decompression Center, for example, charges $20 per session for a total of $400; the Mitchell Back and Neck Pain Chiropractic Clinic in Oklahoma charges $65 per session for a total of no more than $1500. A normal treatment at the Kerrville Spine Center in Texas costs around $3,000. The cost is determined by the geographic region and the type of spinal decompression machine utilized at the facility; some machines are significantly more expensive than others, and thus the per-session cost might be significantly greater.
- For patients with insurance, average out-of-pocket fees are a proportion of the overall treatment cost, usually between 10% and 50%, or as much as $2,000.
- Each spinal decompression therapy lasts between 30 and 60 minutes. A pelvic harness is used to stabilize the lumbar spine while the patient is lying on a computer-controlled spinal decompression machine. To alleviate pressure between the discs, the machine makes minor modifications to the back position.
- Before beginning spinal decompression treatment, some chiropractors like to view an MRI of the back. Find out how much an MRI costs.
- Some chiropractors provide discounts or special offers that are only available for a short time. Carney Chiropractic Care in New York, for example, occasionally offers a free spinal decompression trial.
- Spinal decompression is a service provided by several chiropractors. The American Chiropractic Association has a state-by-state chiropractor locator.
- Some patients are not ideal candidates for spinal decompression, such as those who are pregnant, have certain forms of cancer, osteoporosis, or have had lumbar fusion surgery.
Why is spinal decompression so expensive?
The majority of patients have no significant adverse effects. For the first week or two when the body adjusts to being stretched and decompressed, the most typically reported adverse effect of this therapy is a dull, achy discomfort. The muscles are stretched in a lengthening direction that the body is not used to during spinal decompression.
- It’s possible that lasting relief won’t come until the entire therapy is done, which might take four to six weeks.
- Spinal decompression therapy can be pricey due to the high cost of the equipment, and most insurance companies do not cover the cost of this therapy in most countries.
- This therapy program has been deemed overly time-consuming because the procedure may necessitate up to four weekly sessions.
- It is possible that it will not be effective in resolving the root cause. Some cases have been documented in which the discomfort went away for a while before reappearing.
The system incorporates emergency stop switches for both the patient and the operator to eliminate any discomfort. If the patient experiences any increase in pain or discomfort throughout the therapy, these switches will immediately stop the treatment.
Aside from the sessions, the Spinal Decompression Therapy Program entails helping the patient through a variety of other pain-relieving techniques, allowing the patient to go on the path to a pain-free life much more quickly. Dietary supplements (multivitamins), increased water intake, and healthy activity are among the most prevalent.
Spinal Decompression Therapy is generally thought to be safe and comfortable. So much so that most patients doze off during the treatment.
Does Medicare pay for spinal decompression therapy?
If a person has active back pain, Medicare will cover chiropractic manipulation of the spine to help them manage it. The program only pays for chiropractic care that corrects a problem; it does not pay for spinal manipulations as maintenance or preventive care.
Although certain chiropractic treatments are covered by Medicare, massage therapy and X-rays are not. If a chiropractor provides or recommends any of these services, the patient should inquire about the costs, as they will be responsible for paying for the therapy. Medicare, on the other hand, will cover the cost of an X-ray performed by a physician. This may imply that a chiropractor recommendation is medically necessary.
Spinal Decompression costs vary depending on the severity of the condition and the area being treated. Most patients will see results after 20 treatment sessions spread out over a six-week period, costing between $1500.00 and $2000.00. Depending on the specific policy, insurance may cover a percentage of these costs. Difficult situations can be more expensive since they demand more office visits. It’s worth noting that the overall out-of-pocket expenditures of spinal decompression are typically much lower than the deductibles and co-insurance payments connected with surgery. Our staff will be pleased to discuss payment options with you, including savings for pre-paid treatment sessions.
Our clients frequently inquire about the cost of spinal decompression and whether it is appropriate for their circumstances. Dr. Sands is ready to perform an assessment and determine the cost of spinal decompression for you, as well as devise a strategy that is tailored to your specific needs and insurance coverage. Our objective at Sands Chiropractic in Pompano Beach, Florida, is to provide you with accurate information so that you can consider your spinal surgery alternatives.
How much is a DRX9000?
Despite the fact that other spinal decompression brands have not been subjected to the same level of regulatory scrutiny, many chiropractors who use the devices make similar claims of success, citing studies that have been rejected by insurance companies and Medicare as being less than scientifically sound.
Most of the research on the DRX9000 cited on Excite Medical’s website by doctors affiliated with major universities claim encouraging results such as reduced pain and improved functionality. To confirm the device’s worth, all eight studies recommend for further rigorous scientific research, such as randomly allocating patients to groups receiving treatment or a placebo. According to one of the studies’ authors, he has even asked that Excite remove his studies from its website in a cease-and-desist letter, claiming that Excite has no rights to his intellectual property. (Musallam did not respond to the cease-and-desist order.)
Insurance companies frequently refuse to cover the expense of spinal decompression treatment which, according to Excite Medical, costs around $3,500 for a complete course of sessions on the DRX9000 since there is no proof that it works. It’s also not covered by Medicare.
Spinal decompression is described as “experimental” and “investigational” by Aetna in its policy bulletin.
What is the success rate of spinal decompression?
Studies on spinal decompression have shown a success rate of 71-90 percent, with one research claiming rapid symptom relief in 86 percent of the subjects.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Back Pain, Neck Pain, and Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a cutting-edge computer-assisted technique for treating the symptoms of herniated, bulging, degenerative, and slipping discs in the low back and neck. Spinal decompression has been around for more than ten years and is FDA-approved. More than ten effective research studies on spinal decompression have been completed, and more than 5,000 clinics in the United States and Canada are now offering spinal decompression treatments. Every day, more clinics are offering spinal decompression as a non-surgical option for patients with herniated, bulging, degenerative, or slipping discs. Even after physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, pain medicines, and shots have failed, most patients benefit from spinal decompression in 4 to 6 weeks.
The FDA has given its approval. The technology of spinal decompression is used to alleviate symptoms of back discomfort caused by:
Decompression is performed by creating a negative pressure inside the spinal discs by using a specific mix of force, angle in degree of pull, and variable time. This pressure reversal creates a vacuum inside the disc, allowing bulging discs and extruded disc material to be drawn back into position, relieving pressure on pinched or irritated nerves. Nutrients, oxygen, and fluids are pulled into the disc to produce a rejuvenated environment conducive to healing for both herniated and degenerative discs, according to spinal experts. Your spinal decompression specialist will create a treatment plan tailored to your personal needs depending on your body weight, tolerance, intensity, and duration of symptoms. This ensures the greatest and most long-lasting outcomes.
You will be pleasantly fitted with a harness at the start of each session to promote optimal decompression of the low back or neck. You will sense a gradual lengthening of your spine during a spinal decompression treatment as your discs are gradually decompressed and relieved of pressure. The procedure is both safe and soothing. While some patients with severely injured discs have reported minor discomfort during the first few therapy sessions, this usually fades after a few visits. A patient safety switch adds an added layer of protection by allowing you to stop at any time if you become uncomfortable. Each treatment session is about 30 minutes long.
A typical spinal decompression treatment plan includes 1220 sessions spread out over four to six weeks. Some ailments necessitate fewer visits, while others necessitate more. During the first few treatment sessions, many patients notice alleviation from their pain and other symptoms, and most patients report remarkable pain relief after completing their prescribed treatment regimen.
When chiropractic, physical therapy, and traction have failed, why would spinal decompression work?
Traction, physical therapy, inversion tables, and manipulation have all been demonstrated to lower disc pressures to as low as 40 mm Hg, but only spinal decompression has been proved to produce negative pressures within the spine. During the treatment session, spinal decompression causes negative pressures as low as -110 mm Hg3 within the damaged disc, according to clinical evidence. Pulls on the spine normally cause sensory receptors in the back to tighten the muscles that surround the vertebrae and discs to protect them from injury, a system known as the proprioceptor response in the body. Muscle guarding and spasms are common symptoms of this condition. By progressively tugging on the spine and relaxing the back over an extended period of time, Spinal Decompression bypasses this response, allowing the discs to be relocated without stress and without triggering muscular guarding and spasms. To achieve the best results, patients should be treated on a high-quality spinal decompression table by a physician with years of experience, rather than a counterfeit spinal decompression table.
How long would it take for me to see results if I have spinal decompression therapy?
We’ve discovered that the overall success rate is roughly 80% based on 6 years of spinal decompression experience and thousands of patients treated. Given that the majority of our patients have “tried everything else” with minimal or no relief, have at least a 6/10 mVAS pain level, and have been in pain for more than 6 weeks, we believe this success rate to be quite good. Within the first week, about 20% of patients will get pain reduction. Within 23 weeks, about 40% of patients will notice a considerable improvement. The remaining 20% will see significant improvement in 46 weeks. Only about 20% of people will get no or only minor alleviation. A patient’s condition will almost never deteriorate.
Spinal decompression therapy may be appropriate for the following conditions. Always check with a spinal decompression specialist to discover if you’re a candidate for the procedure. The following people are good candidates for spinal decompression therapy:
The following conditions may make a patient ineligible for spinal decompression therapy. Always check with a spinal decompression specialist to discover if you’re a candidate for the procedure. The following individuals may not be eligible for spinal decompression therapy:
- Spondylolisthesis in grades 3 and 4 (Grade 1 or Grade 2 spondylolisthesis are treatable)
If you have any questions about the problems listed above, or if you think you might benefit from spinal decompression therapy, talk to your doctor.
The majority of patients have no significant adverse effects. For the first week or two, the most typical side effect is a dull, achy stiffness while the body adjusts to being stretched and decompressed. Decompression of the spine extends muscles in a lengthening direction, which the body is not accustomed to. Patients may suffer a dull, achy discomfort as a result of this, which they frequently characterize as “It feels like I’ve just completed a long-awaited workout.” Patients rarely experience an increase in the discomfort they were experiencing when they first came in.
Patients with acute, severe disc herniations may feel discomfort for a week or two until the herniation retracts, relieving pressure on the nerves. Patients with acute disc herniation are more likely to experience discomfort “As an acute disc herniation can be unpredictable, patients may have “up and down” alleviation from their pain for the first two weeks. Regardless of the mild soreness experienced in the first week or two, by the end of the second week, most patients have received 50% or more pain alleviation.
Spinal Decompression Therapy is generally thought to be safe and comfortable. Both the patient and the operator have emergency stop buttons on the system. If a patient perceives any increase in pain or discomfort during treatment, these switches promptly stop the treatment, preventing most injuries.
For patients who have had spinal surgery, Spinal Decompression treatment is often not contra-indicated (withheld due to the risk of injury to the patient). Even after a failed back surgery, many individuals have found improvement using Spinal Decompression. Patients who have had a failed laminectomy or microdiscectomy may still benefit from spinal decompression. The success rate of spinal decompression decreases if a patient has had more than three laminectomies. Patients who have had surgical fusion with rods, screws, or other types of hardware may not be eligible for spinal decompression. Always check with a spinal decompression specialist to discover if you’re a candidate for the procedure.
Is non surgical spinal decompression safe?
With a few exceptions, spinal decompression therapy is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for treating chronic back pain. During a session, you may feel a small stretch in your muscles, which most patients say feels wonderful, but spinal decompression therapy should not cause any pain.
Is chiropractic covered by insurance?
Yes, chiropractor treatments are covered by supplemental coverage under private health insurance. If your health insurance coverage covers chiropractor visits with a benefit (a cash value), the amount you can claim for these appointments is limited by your policy’s limit (e.g. $30 per visit).
Only extras-only health insurance policies, not hospital policies, cover these procedures. Chiropractic coverage is prevalent in extras-only policies, however not all policies provide a benefit for these services. Make sure you read your insurance brochure to understand what is and isn’t covered, as well as any limitations.
How do you bill for spinal decompression?
This service is designated by the code S9090 – Vertebral axial decompression, per session. Some insurance companies will cover this service, while others will not. It’s also worth noting that some payers may accept 97012 as a decompression code. The easiest method to address this is to verify the payer’s policy before billing 97012. There have been reports of providers having to return money for invoicing 97012 because the payer didn’t allow it for that service.
Because coverage varies so much, there’s no replacement for checking each payer’s policy to be sure you’re reporting the service correctly.