What causes sciatica and how can IDD Therapy treatment help?

What is sciatica?

The term sciatica is used to describe the inflammation and/or compression of the sciatic nerve - the longest nerve in the body which runs from the back of the pelvis through the buttocks and down both legs to the feet.

Nowadays clinicians tend to refer to sciatica as radicular pain - a shooting or grinding pain which radiates from the lower back down the length of the sciatic nerve.  Sometimes the pain can be accompanied by numbness and/or weakness in the legs and feet which is known as radiculopathy.

Sciatica can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition with sufferers finding it difficult to walk, sleep and go about their normal daily activities.

The good news is that most acute (short-term) episodes of sciatica can generally be resolved within a few weeks with over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs - alongside the continuation of normal daily activities.  However, if sciatica becomes a long-term problem (for more than six weeks) sufferers need to seek medical advice from a specialist, making sure they receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Sciatica is commonly associated with a bulging or herniated disc.  A bulging disc is when the whole or part of the disc bulges outside of its normal space between the vertebrae.  A herniated disc is when the inner nucleus of the disc actually ruptures out of its casing.  Both conditions - which are sometimes commonly referred to as a ‘slipped’ disc - can cause compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.  Other causes of sciatica include spinal stenosis (narrowing of the nerve passages in the spine), a spinal injury or infection, or a growth or tumour within the spine.

Sometimes other conditions can mimic the symptoms of sciatica but they are not related to direct compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve.  Somatic pain in the lumbar spine can produce referred pain in the nerve endings within the discs, facet joints or sacroiliac joints.   As somatic pain is not caused by compression of nerve roots, there is usually no accompanying numbness or weakness.  It tends to centre over the buttock area and upper thigh but can extend to the foot.

Sciatic symptoms are also associated with Piriformis Syndrome.  When the piriformis muscle (located deep in the hip/buttock) becomes tight or inflamed, it can cause irritation of the sciatic nerve.  Sufferers may feel numbness in the buttocks and pain when climbing up or down stairs and while sitting.  Piriformis Syndrome can be treated with strengthening and muscle balancing exercises, deep massage and/or dry needling into the muscles.

Sciatica caused by a herniated or bulging disc

The spine has 24 individual bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other.  Discs are the protective pads of connective tissue dividing them - the ‘shock absorbers’ which protect the spine when we run or jump.

Without realising it, we cause small weaknesses in our spine every day with prolonged sitting or standing in certain positions - at workstations or hunched over the ironing board for example.  If too much pressure is put on a disc, a weakness may develop and it’s possible for the whole or part of the disc to bulge out of its normal position or even rupture and the gel inside to bulge outwards - rather like a jam doughnut being squeezed!

The damaged disc can put pressure on or cause irritation to the spinal nerves or a single nerve root - most commonly the sciatic nerve.  Evidence suggests that the inner gel-like substance of the disc can cause an inflammatory response in sciatic nerve roots or compression of the nerve.  Sometimes it can be a combination of the two which is causing the sciatic pain. 

In rare instances, the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord can become compressed. Known as Cauda Equina (see below), this can result in urinary and/or bowel incontinence and is a medical emergency which may require immediate surgery.     

What treatments can help with sciatica?

For most people, their sciatic episode will be acute (short-term) and they will recover naturally whilst going about their normal daily activities.

However, chronic (long-term) sciatica usually requires a combination of anti-inflammatory medicine, self-help techniques and physical therapy - which can include the targeted disc treatment IDD Therapy.

If patients have exhausted non-invasive treatments and are still in pain, they may need to consider invasive procedures such as steroid injections or surgery.

Painkillers

Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen are usually prescribed for sciatic pain.  For patients with asthma, high blood pressure, liver disease, heart disease or stomach and digestive disorders, GPs may suggest Paracetamol as an alternative.

If symptoms are severe, your GP may prescribe a mild opiate-based painkiller such as Codeine or a muscle relaxant such as Diazepam.

Exercise and lifestyle changes

Sciatica exercises - consisting of stretching and core-strengthening in order to support the spine - can reduce pain and provide conditioning to prevent future recurrences. 

Some patients may need to make lifestyle changes to avoid activities or situations which might put undue stress on the lower back and offset a bout of sciatica.

Awkward working positions such as those where the 'trunk' is twisted or hand is above the shoulder; heavy lifting; playing golf; excessive driving and walking (for more than 1 hour at a time) are all linked with sciatica.

How does IDD Therapy help sciatica patients?

Bridging the gap between hands-on physical therapy and invasive procedures, the IDD Therapy programme offers a non-invasive targeted disc treatment for patients with sciatica or symptoms indicating a disc herniation or bulge.  

Safe and gentle pulling forces are used to distract (draw apart) and mobilise specific spinal segments where discs are damaged or herniated, removing pressure and irritation from targeted discs and trapped nerves.

Patients receive a structured programme of regular IDD Therapy sessions, allowing the body to adapt to treatment whilst progressively relieving pain and improving mobility.  For long-term sufferers, a series of treatments is needed to achieve long-lasting therapeutic changes.

Distracting and mobilising the disc(s) in this way is particularly relevant given the sometimes indistinct origins of sciatica: opening up the disc space promotes the flow of nutrients and oxygen, assisting the dilution of any inflammatory toxins which may be causing irritation to the sciatic nerve whilst also relieving pressure from it.

IDD Therapy Case Study 1 – Margaret (65), retired nurse from Hereford.

  “I’d suffered with lower back pain on and off for a couple of years but after a knee replacement operation in 2011, it got much worse and I also began to get a grinding sciatic pain in my leg when I’d been sitting for too long or walking for any length of time.

I ended up needing a stick and I found it very difficult to do my normal daily activities and even simple things like dressing myself and standing at the sink to wash the dishes were a problem.

My clinician, Mark Roughley (Leominster Osteopaths) recommended a programme of IDD Therapy to treat the two disc bulges in my spine.  He continually assessed my progress during the programme and suggested gentle exercises to do at home to compliment the treatment. 

At the end of the programme, I was virtually pain-free and able to enjoy my usual daily activities including walking with my friends - something I’d really missed.  I’d definitely recommend IDD Therapy - it’s given me back my life!"

IDD Therapy Case Study 2 – Scott (38), scaffolder from Chingford

“Last year my episodes of sciatica became severe and sometimes my leg would actually go numb when I stood for too long.

 I was in so much pain I could hardly walk and was only sleeping for a couple of hours a night.  I needed to take painkillers every day but even with regular medication, the pain was too much for me to bear - and I’m a big strong bloke! 

My doctor sent me for some osteopathy and acupuncture sessions but they didn’t help and an operation was the last thing I needed - being self-employed, I couldn’t afford the time off work for a start!"

After a review of Scott’s recent MRI scan, Dan Smith (Sports and Spinal Physio) confirmed a large disc bulge and he decided that Scott was an ideal candidate for the IDD Therapy programme.

"I finished my treatment programme in Spring of last year and I’m feeling fantastic; my pain has drastically reduced and I’m able to walk, drive and sleep properly.  I still have to take care of my back and avoid heavy lifting but this is nothing compared to the debilitation I suffered before my treatment.

It’s really not an exaggeration to say that IDD Therapy has changed my life completely.  Without it I’d still be in agony on a four month waiting list for a back operation…”  

A clinician’s view

Sheffield Physiotherapy’s John Wood treats his chronic sciatica patients with IDD Therapy.  He says:

“With the IDD programme we can help to change a patient’s outlook, setting them the realistic goal of becoming pain-free and being able to get back to their normal daily activities.  Specific exercises are tailored to the progressive stages of treatment, developing the patient’s confidence in movement as both safe and constructive to their recovery.”

Research shows that IDD Therapy patients with a herniated disc - most of whom suffered sciatic radiation - showed a good to excellent improvement in 86% of cases.¹  A follow-up study revealed continued pain reduction in IDD Therapy patients one year after treatment.²

When non-invasive treatments aren’t working

In some cases a patient’s sciatica can be so debilitating that they are not able to begin a physical therapy programme.  There will also be patients who have tried non-invasive methods without success.  In these situations their GP may feel that steroid injections or even surgery should be considered.

Epidural steroid injections

Epidural steroid injections dispense medication directly to the inflamed area around the sciatic nerve. Although the effects tend to be temporary (providing pain relief for as little as one week up to a year) an epidural steroid injection can provide relief for a short term sciatic episode or for enough time to allow a patient to progress with a non-invasive treatment plan such as IDD Therapy.

When would surgery be considered?     

With the exception of emergency surgery in cases of Cauda Equina (see below), infection or cancer, surgical procedures are typically considered when the patient has exhausted non-surgical options and remains in pain and is unable to go about their normal daily activities.

Since spinal surgery carries the risk of infection, failure and a low risk that the spinal nerves will be damaged during surgery, surgeons ensure that the patient is aware of all non-surgical options as well as the relative risks and benefits of surgery.

When sciatica becomes an emergency

In exceptional cases, sciatic pain presents itself alongside other more serious symptoms such as urinary or bowel incontinence and/or loss of sensation in the inner thighs, buttocks, back of legs.

These symptoms could be a sign of Cauda Equina Syndrome, a relatively rare but serious condition involving loss of function of the nerve roots in the lumbar vertebral canal at the foot of the spinal cord.

Caused by trauma, tumor, infection or herniated disc/spinal stenosis, it is a medical emergency which may require urgent surgical intervention.

References 

1   Shealy CN and Borgmeyer V. Decompression, Reduction and Stabilization of the Lumbar Spine:  A Cost- Effective Treatment for Lumbosacral Pain.  AJPM 1997. 7(2):63-65

2   C. Norman Shealy, MD, PhD, Nirman Koladia, MD, and Merrill M. Wesemann, Long term effect analysis of IDD Therapy in low back pain. American Journal of Pain Management  Vol. 15 No. 3 July 2005

  

To see more IDD Therapy patient testimonials and to find out the location of your nearest IDD Therapy Disc Clinic go to www.iddtherapy.co.uk

IDD Therapy: A Back Pain Expert's Best Friend

Osteopath Robert Shanks is the co-founding Clinical Director of Spine Plus, group of multi-disciplinary clinics in London (Harley Street) and Essex.

Robert’s area of special interest is low back pain, neck pain and sciatica associated with chronic disc conditions.  He is an advocate of innovation in spinal care and uses IDD Therapy spinal decompression to treat his chronic disc patients.

Here, Robert explains why IDD Therapy is establishing an invaluable role in conservative spinal care. 

I first became interested in mechanical spinal distraction in 2002; I started using a home-made cervical traction device based on pioneering osteopath, Alan Stoddard’s model 

featured in a book from the 1950's!  Yes, it sounds a bit Wallace & Gromit but it did the job more effectively than using my hands alone.  I then started using portable traction beds which featured a manual pump allowing for intermittent sustained traction.

The object of these devices was of course, to distract the spine in order to take some pressure off the disc(s) and any impinged nerves.  We used it as part of a standard 30 minute treatment session.  

Developments in spinal decompression have come a long way since those primitive traction devices.  Indeed, traction per se created a divide among clinicians in its heyday: there were those like myself who found the tool a useful addition to manual therapy and there were others who saw too many shortcomings for it to be fully effective.  

One of the key limitations of traditional traction was the imprecise nature in which the treatment was applied; for example, the traction force was aimed non-specifically at the entire vertebrae and not at the particular segment we were trying to treat.

Moreover, as the linear ‘pull’ was unnatural to the body, it could actually cause muscles to spasm, leading to an increase in pressure and pain!  This meant that in order to ensure relative comfort for a patient, the treatment tended to be administered in short bursts of 10 to 15 minutes with a low traction force - which proved ineffective for many chronic conditions.

Around 2008 I began hearing about Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy, a non-surgical spinal decompression treatment which appeared to address the failings of traction quite systematically.  These sophisticated IDD treatment machines were developed in the US in the late Nineties by a team of engineers and clinicians whose aim was to mechanically decompress the disc by improving upon traditional traction methods.

The team produced an FDA cleared class II decompression machine which, with computer-controlled forces directed at precise angles, was shown to distract targeted segments of the spine, e.g. L4/L5 from between 5 and 7mm in a longitudinal plain - which had significant therapeutic implications. 

With modifications along the way and advances in technology, the SDS SPINA - as it later became known - included a unique oscillation feature capable of mobilising the joint at the point of maximum distraction - in much the same way as manual therapists mobilise other joints - but which given the strength of the spine, is difficult to do with the hands alone.

Moreover, because the device used a gently progressing pulling force (sinusoidal waveform) which mimicked the natural contraction mechanism of a muscle, the muscle remained relaxed and lengthened throughout the slow and consistent stretch without going into spasm - meaning patients could enjoy the necessary higher pulling forces for longer, whilst remaining completely relaxed.

 

I read all of the clinical research papers on IDD Therapy but I was more interested to see the treatment in action and hear the experiences of clinicians in the UK who were already using it as part of a specialised rehabilitation programme for their herniated disc patients.

The clinicians I spoke to viewed IDD Therapy as a structured programme with patients having a series of regular treatments spread over a number of weeks, allowing time for the body to adapt to treatment whilst progressively improving spine function.

Sessions begin by ‘warming up’ the affected area with infrared heat to allow for a deeper and more comfortable distraction on the machine.  Once the angle and force is set, the 25 minutes of cyclic distraction begins and the targeted segment is exposed to a pulling force equal to half the patient's body weight and more and importantly,the joint is fully distracted for 13 of those minutes.   

Pulling forces are gradually increased over the course of the programme as the body becomes conditioned to the treatment. Cold therapy is applied immediately after treatment to help prevent any temporary soreness caused by muscles being worked in a new way. Corrective exercise is introduced gradually as the programme progresses to help achieve lasting success.

I tried the treatment for myself; I could really feel the differences which I’d heard and read about.  I decided to introduce IDD Therapy at one of my clinics in April 2011.

In the last three years, between my Essex and London clinics my colleagues and I have treated approximately 500 hundred patients with IDD Therapy. These have tended to be patients with herniated or prolapsed discs whose symptoms had prevailed despite standard manual treatments.  Many of this number had been reliant upon daily painkillers to help manage their pain.

The clinical outcomes have been impressive: I would say that 70-80% of these patients have made good to excellent improvement with IDD Therapy.  Although I have used IDD Therapy to treat acute pain, most candidates have been in pain for several months, having tried manual treatments and/or injections without success.  For these patients, a programme of treatments is necessary to achieve long-lasting therapeutic changes.

A typical patient is 63 year old Rita Edwards who achieved an exceptional outcome with IDD Therapy after suffering for four years with an L1/2 disc bulge which surgeons would not operate on.  She had undergone countless manual treatments, facet joint injections and epidural injections without any lasting improvement.  After a series of IDD treatments she became pain and spasm-free and was able to return to work and carry out her daily household chores again.

When patients first come to me, some are in so much pain that they are physically and emotionally exhausted and fearful of making the slightest movement.  Over the course of the IDD programme, we can help to change their outlook and expectations, setting them the realistic goal of becoming pain-free and being able to get back to their normal daily activities.

We track all patients with research tools such as the Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analogue Scale and other objective outcomes measures.

IDD Therapy is an invaluable treatment tool to me.  It's finally enabled me to offer something meaningful for disc patients which in my experience, is preferable to surgery and more therapeutic than epidurals, nerve root blocks and facet joint injections.  We've been able to treat several lumbar-surgery candidates; I know of patients who have been booked in for an operation and have tried IDD as a last resort and are now pain-free and active again.

It’s hard to find a negative side to the treatment: an IDD session takes longer than a standard 30 minute manual treatment but we can't cut elements of the session without having a detrimental effect on our treatment goals.  With IDD as a treatment tool alongside manual therapy, we are seeing more patients at our clinics and as our experience grows, we're better able to predict how to progress patients who of course, all have individual needs.

Naturally, there are some patients who don't respond to treatment but generally speaking, my patients have had very good outcomes and from a personal perspective, it’s hugely satisfying to know that we've been able to do more for them.

 Robert Shanks, Director, Spine Plus  (www.SpinePlus.co.uk)

Herniated Disc Treatment in Herefordshire - Local back pain expert talks about IDD Therapy spinal decompression

Leominster Osteopaths has been providing IDD Therapy treatment for herniated discs and sciatica for four years.

The second clinic in the UK and the first in Herefordshire to make IDD Therapy available, the clinic has treated patients with some very difficult back pain and neck pain conditions.

Here clinic director Mark Roughley talks about IDD Therapy at his clinic in the heart of Leominster, Herefordshire.

Stephen Small of Steadfast Clinics is pictured here with Leominster Osteopaths Clinic  Director Mark Roughley.

For more information about back pain and neck pain treatment with IDD Therapy at Leominster Osteopaths, visit www.leominsterosteopaths.co.uk or for more information generally about IDD Therapy visit www.iddtherapy.co.uk

Herniated Disc Treatment Video - IDD Therapy at SpinePlus Clinics London

With clinics in London and Essex, SpinePlus was amongst the first in the UK to provide IDD Therapy spinal decompression.

Now with two locations having the latest SDS SPINA machines, the team have produced a fly on the wall style video to let back pain sufferers see exactly what is involved when they have IDD Therapy treatment.




For more information visit the SpinePlus website at www.spineplus.co.uk  or call 0845 6492979.

SpinePlus IDD Therapy locations - Fitzroy Square London
                                                             Chigwell, Essex

For more details about IDD Therapy treatment, visit www.iddtherapy.co.uk 

Herniated Disc Treatment Helping Back Pain Sufferers in Croydon and Greater London - IDD Therapy

A leading osteopathic clinic in Croydon has been providing a new treatment for back pain and neck pain since the summer of 2013.

IDD Therapy is the non-surgical spinal decompression treatment which provides a targeted treatment to help unresolved conditions, notably where there is a disc-related condition such as a herniated disc (commonly referred to as a ‘slipped disc’) and sciatica. 

The Osteopathic Clinic of Physical Medicine in Croydon is led by clinic director Paul Morrissey.  Paul has pioneered new treatments in the UK and was amongst the first to introduce Shock Wave, as well as establishing a fully equipped pilates centre.

Paul is part of a network of UK IDD Therapy providers and says:

“For several years I watched with great interest the developments in IDD Therapy non-surgical spinal decompression.

After experiencing the treatment for myself and hearing the positive experiences of other UK clinicians and their patients, I was keen to introduce the IDD Therapy programme at our clinic.

IDD Therapy helps patients suffering with persistent back or neck pain who are not making improvement with manual therapy alone. There is no such thing as a cure-all for back pain, but the IDD Therapy treatment programme offers real opportunities for patients who need something more their pain.”

Whether you have simple back pain or a complex condition, with Paul and his dedicated team, patients can be assured of being in safe hands.  For more details visit www.osteopathclinic.co.uk/idd-therapy or to check your suitability for treatment call Croydon 020 8662 1155.

For more information about IDD Therapy treatment in general, visit www.iddtherapy.co.uk .

How do herniated discs occur and what are the best treatment options?

“Ouch….I’ve slipped a disc!” 

Low back pain affects over 80% of the population at some point in their lives and it’s the second most popular reason for visiting the GP after the common cold. It comes in many guises but a herniated or ‘slipped’ disc is one of the easiest things to succumb to and is one of the most difficult types of back pain to relieve. 

This article examines the ways in which herniated discs can occur and explains the treatment options available to help patients get back to their usual daily activities.

Contrary to popular belief, slipped discs are not just common to people who do manual work involving heavy lifting: many office-based workers succumb to disc problems as a result of sitting in one position for too long, putting pressure on the disc walls so that they weaken over time.

The spine is made up of 24 individual bones called vertebrae which are stacked on top of each . Discs are the protective circular pads of connective tissue in between - the ‘padding’ which acts as shock absorbers, protecting the spine when we run or jump.

We cause small weaknesses in our spine all day long with prolonged sitting or standing in certain positions, for example at workstations or hunched over the ironing board.

The intervertebral discs are unlike other parts of the body in the sense that they have a limited nerve supply.

Very often we are not aware of the discs being under strain until the accumulation of months or years of stress has reached a point where small tears form in the outer disc wall. These tears can result in several months of nagging discomfort.

As a defence-mechanism against further damage, the body will often react to this situation with muscle spasm or at the very least, ‘muscle guarding’ which is when the long muscles of the spine tighten up. This causes compression of the discs and a lack of mobility in the spine. 

If this situation prevails, the tears can very often become worse and allow the inner jelly like part of the disc – the nucleus – to herniate outwards. This is referred to as a herniated, bulging or ‘slipped’ disc.

Disc problems can also cause pain in other areas of the body, the most common of which is sciatica, a grinding pain which travels down the length of the leg.  Sciatica can be caused by the bulging part of the disc squashes the nerve root next to the disc or when chemicals from a prolapsed disc irritate the nerve endings.  

Neck pain, headaches or numbness in the foot can also be a sign of a damaged disc. So, what are your options for treatment?

Your first port of call should always be a good osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor who will have experience in treating disc-related problems. With this type of manual therapy in most cases you should see a marked improvement in your condition in 6-8 weeks.

At the same time, if you are in so much pain that you can’t sleep then your GP can prescribe you painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory medicines which can be taken alongside physical treatment.

If you see no real sign of improvement after eight weeks of manual therapy, it would be advisable to get an MRI scan of your spine to confirm the possible causes of your pain and the location (level) of the spine affected.

If a disc problem is identified, a programme of treatment including IDD Therapy non-surgical spinal decompression may be recommended.

IDD Therapy is a computer-controlled mechanical treatment used by clinicians to gently and safely relieve pressure on specific discs, alleviate muscle spasm and increase mobility in the spine.
 
As part of the IDD Therapy programme, patients undergo a course of core-strengthening exercise to help them maintain their healthy spine.

In a small number of cases, patients with severe disc damage/degeneration may require invasive treatments including injections and/or surgery. Also, in rare circumstances, the patient may require immediate surgery, for example, when the bowel and bladder function is affected.

There are different types of surgery for a herniated disc, the most common is the microdiscectomy where fragments of the disc may be cut away.

Another common type of spinal surgery is the lumbar fusion where the vertebrae surrounding a disc are fused together.

Thus, there are now several treatment options available to patients with herniated discs and indeed, a wider array of effective non-surgical options allowing more patients to avoid invasive procedures.

Robert Shanks BSc (Hons) Ost
Clinical Director
Spine Plus
Tel: 020 8501 0937
www.SpinePlus.co.uk
Spine Plus is a group of multidisciplinary clinics in London and Essex

For more details about IDD Therapy or to find your nearest IDD clinic, call Steadfast Clinics on 01279 602030 or visit www.SteadfastClinics.co.uk

Herniated Disc: Treatment options for a herniated disc, sometimes referred to as a ‘slipped’ disc

Are you one of the thousands of people in the UK whose Easter will be blighted by back pain or neck pain caused by a herniated disc ('slipped' disc)?  If so, read on for more details about herniated disc treatment ...

Everyone knows someone who suffers with their back.  After all, back pain is the second most popular reason for visiting the GP after the common cold.  

Back pain comes in many guises but a herniated, prolapsed or ‘slipped disc’ can result in intense pain and when unresolved, can be one of the most difficult types of back pain to relieve.

Slipped discs do not just happen to people who do manual work involving heavy lifting: a disc can become prolapsed simply by bending down to pick up a pen from the floor or by climbing the stairs to bed!

The spine is made up of 24 individual bones called vertebrae which are stacked on top of each other.  Discs are the protective circular pads of connective tissue in between – the ‘shock absorbers' which protect the spine when we run or jump.

We cause small weaknesses in our spine all day long such as prolonged sitting or standing in certain positions, for example at workstations or hunched over the ironing board.  If we then make a slightly awkward movement, it is possible to rupture the outer casing of the disc and the gel inside to bulge outwards – rather like a jam doughnut being squeezed!

Disc problems can also cause pain in other areas of the body, the most common of which is sciatica, a grinding pain which travels down the length of the leg.  Neck pain, headaches or numbness in the foot can also be a sign of a damaged disc.  So, what are your options for treatment?

Your first port of call should always be a good osteopath, chiropractor or physiotherapist who will have experience in disc-related problems.  With this type of manual therapy, you should see a marked improvement in you condition in 6-8 weeks.  At the same time, if you are in so much pain that you can’t sleep then your GP can prescribe you painkillers and/or anti-inflammatory medicines which can be taken alongside treatment.

If you are no better after 8 weeks of manual therapy, it can be advisable to get an MRI scan of your spine to confirm the nature of the injury or damage to the disc.

Before the stage of invasive treatments such as spinal injections, steroids or even surgery, IDD Therapy spinal decompression is used by clinicians of different backgrounds to provide targeted treatment for disc-related problems (as well as other chronic back pain and neck pain conditions).

Developed in the USA to address the shortcomings of traction, IDD Therapy involves the gentle ‘distraction’ (drawing apart) of specific spinal segments where discs are damaged or herniated (bulging).

The treatment uses computerised pulling forces to gently relieve pressure on the discs and any trapped nerves.  Whilst doing so it also works the muscles, helping to get more movement into the joints.  Coupled with rehabilitation exercises, IDD Therapy can offer lasting pain relief.

66 year old June from Sussex suffered for 20 years after injuring her back whilst lifting people in her job as a carer.  She says:

“This time last year I couldn’t do anything at home; gardening, swimming and even household chores such as ironing would cause me terrible pain which also brought on bad headaches.

IDD has been fantastic for me; I’m swimming and gardening again, going for walks with my husband and doing my usual daily chores with ease now.” 

If IDD Therapy is not a suitable option for your condition and your pain is signifcantly impacting on your life then you may need to talk to a surgeon or pain consultant.  Whatever your condition, it is always advisable to obtain a second opinion before you undertake certain procedures. 

For more details about IDD Therapy treatment and to get a patient information leaflet, visit www.IDDTherapy.eu