Just curious...every so often in my searches on the internet related to herniated disks and/or back pain I run across the websites plugging VAX-D treatments. It sounds interesting enough, but I'm just curious if anyone has tried it? And if it's so damn great, why don't doctors reccommend it or mention it??? It's approved in the States by the FDA, so why is it so hush-hush?? Anyone??

Can't help but I wish I could.. I would like to know what it is also..IF you figure it out hook me up with the info!

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-Alison
Go round the outside, round the outside!

Hi Hot song, VAX-D is no secret. You can do a search at the top of the page and just plug in VAX-D and you will find plenty of posts. It's just a fancy table that allows the chiro to allign and use traction. No big secret. It has helped with my SI joints but I have since learned to adjust myself. Welcome, Newmod4

Well yeah, I see it on the internet all the time, but I've never heard it mentioned outside of the internet. I'm wondering why doctors don't prescribe it or mention it to patients suffering with our types of problems, if it's really as good as these web sites I see claim it is.

Dear Hotsong,
I am currently in a 30 day vax-d treatment course. Had my 16th of 30 today. So far i am not very happy with it at all. Everybody at the center is encouraging me to stick it out. My pain level has increased considerably, before vax-d, I was able to at least lay down and be pain free, that has gone since about treatment 9. My back is screaming from the "stretching of the ligaments" plus my sciatica nerve pain has now migrated down to the toe level(it was before just going below the knee). The doc still thinks i am a perfect candidate and insists that 80% of his patients get 100% painfree after about 25 to 30 times, the other 20% supposedly are mainly people with previous back surgeries and scar tissue or weigh more than 300 pounds. During the 6 treatment weeks I am not allowed to do anything much except rest, rest and rest. Being an active person that can drive you crazy. I am still on my painkillers. I have tried a lot of other treatments before since I do not want the fusion surgery. If you can wait 3 more weeks I'll be able to give you more updated info on whether it's going to turn into success or not. --- so far on this board i have not received any answer from any other person going through vax-d. The medical side of your question is mds consider it a chiropractic "alternative" treatment and many of them despise chiropractic. You have to buy a rather expensive computerized table and go through some courses to offer vax-d. Many insurances do not cover the patient's cost or if, then only partially. And it is expensive!Also, from what i found out so far the only "medical" studies were done on cadavers.Not much pain level testing there! Most other data available are from vax-d centers and they can submit whatever they like. Still hoping, Anneliese

Dear Hotsong,
just one week and 5 vax-d treatments later and I am sciatica leg pain free- my butt and back still hurt and I am not able to do much walking etc. yet - but what a difference this has made for me. For the first time in months(years) I can roll over in my sleep and not wake up from pain! I have to admit i was the biggest critic after going through all other kinds of therapy and treatments (ultrasound, tens unit, cold packs, hot packs, neuro blockers, epidurals, massages, ball gymnastics, traction .....)but it seems to work for me. I guess it is not something that takes immediate effect, my first relief came after treatment 17 and did not last more than a day, but now it is definitely working. Will it last after 30 times? i do not know. Ther doc is going to put me on certain exercises and hot baths and maybe a once every two months vax-d maintenance treatment. Good luck to you.
Anneliese.

Wow, what a difference a week makes, huh? Good for you! I hope this is your answer.

I don't think I'm quite at the stage of seriously considering VAX-D, but I was just curious because I kept running across various web-sites touting it, and wondering why I've never heard anyone in *real life* talk about it, not like I hear regular chiropractic.

Keep me posted on your progress. If it works, and God forbid I get to that point one day, it may be worth considering instead of the alternative.

hotsong, did the vax-d and no success. Ended up having microendoscopic discectomy surgery on three lower levels of my lumbar discs. Feel much better now.

Hi All,
I have had sciatica pain for 6 months due to a herniated disc at L4/5. I have tried epidural shots, non-steroidal and steroidal meds, anitinflammatories, pain relievers, adjustments, massage with no relief. My orthopedic surgeon wants to due an discectomy. I asked him about the Vax-D. He said I could try it but didn't think it would work. (My hernation is too big to be decompressed back in the hole it came out of!!)

Well, I decided to try it anyway. I am currently in a Vax-D treatment which my insurance covers. I have to pay my co-pays which equals to $100 per week. I have just finished with visit 22 and no real relief to speak of. When I started I was in pretty good shape...sleepoing through the night and had minor pain daily. Unfortunatley, like another memeber, my pain came considerably worse after the 7th treatment. I am back to waking up each night as I roll over and use meds to help me sleep. Things have gotten a bit better but I am not back to the way I was before I started. My doctor and I have decided to stop treatment to see if my pain subsides. Now that I have read Annelise post I am thinking I should finish out my 30 treatments. UHG! Any advice??

Sorry so long, just wanted you to have ALL the info!
Tracey

I too have been attempting to locate anyone that has used Vax-D. The reason is that I injured my elbow and shoulder using the machine, which I ended up having two surgeries on my elbow and one on my shoulder. I did not see any improvement while on the machine, but that could be because I was pulled from it before I could finish the 20 week session. I also was informed that Vax-D is not for someone that has DDD, which I have. If anyone is interested in Vax-D, please do the research before you attempt.