kaplang
07-02-2007, 04:33 PM
I have certainly done my reading on these and many posts over the last 2 weeks trying to decide on spending the $4,200.00 on treatment that is so uncertain.
I have read some blogs that have had very positive results and many that clearly state they believe it is a scam and does not work.
It seems that the majority of people are seeking treatment for herniated discs they have. My situation is a little different.
I have a small disk protrusion in my c3,c4 (cervical spine) which is bottom of neck, top of back. I have had 2 MRI s which have shown no change over 9 months. 4 months of physical therapy, 3 rounds of FACET injections, 3 epidoral shots, acupuncture, chiropractic, along with many pain medications I am currently on.
They tell me it really is not surgical and not terrible, but I live in pain everyday and am not able to do the things I want to or am used to.
There are no bulging or herniated disks in back or neck, unlike many others problems I have read about on this and other sites.
I have met with one chiropractor who said "I qualify for drx 9000" although I would like to see how many do not qualify. The charge was $4200.00 for 20+ treatments.
sorry for mispells but had to write quickly. Back hurts and at work!!!
With not having the herniated or bulging disks, I am wondering if anyone has tried this with perhaps similar problems that I have. It seems that many of the comments state it helps quite a bit but once you have a bulging or herniated disk , surgery is the only real solution.
But perhaps with a mild condition (all though I don t consider it mild) maybe the long term affects will be greater?
Any advice from others who did not have herniated or bulging disks like me?
Also, if the machine truly does what they claim it will do, why wouldn't Hospitals, PT's and insurance have it or cover it?
I have read some blogs that have had very positive results and many that clearly state they believe it is a scam and does not work.
It seems that the majority of people are seeking treatment for herniated discs they have. My situation is a little different.
I have a small disk protrusion in my c3,c4 (cervical spine) which is bottom of neck, top of back. I have had 2 MRI s which have shown no change over 9 months. 4 months of physical therapy, 3 rounds of FACET injections, 3 epidoral shots, acupuncture, chiropractic, along with many pain medications I am currently on.
They tell me it really is not surgical and not terrible, but I live in pain everyday and am not able to do the things I want to or am used to.
There are no bulging or herniated disks in back or neck, unlike many others problems I have read about on this and other sites.
I have met with one chiropractor who said "I qualify for drx 9000" although I would like to see how many do not qualify. The charge was $4200.00 for 20+ treatments.
sorry for mispells but had to write quickly. Back hurts and at work!!!
With not having the herniated or bulging disks, I am wondering if anyone has tried this with perhaps similar problems that I have. It seems that many of the comments state it helps quite a bit but once you have a bulging or herniated disk , surgery is the only real solution.
But perhaps with a mild condition (all though I don t consider it mild) maybe the long term affects will be greater?
Any advice from others who did not have herniated or bulging disks like me?
Also, if the machine truly does what they claim it will do, why wouldn't Hospitals, PT's and insurance have it or cover it?
Sponsor
Justoneofus
07-03-2007, 01:03 AM
Hi. You are obviously extremely concerned about this program. When this occurs, I am of the opinion to not engage in it until such time you have a comfort with whatever you do.
It's very expensive and if you have the cash to expend.. it "might" help you "feel" better. If that is what you are trying to achieve.. then again, maybe it's worth the expense. Personally, I've been through it, and it's like going to a mechanical back spa! Umm, made my overall spine feel better, as it gave me a workout each time I was there. But this machine does not "heal" anything. And even continuing the exercises post treatment.. eventually I was back to my old self again in time.
I think you would be hard pressed to find a spine surgeon give this program any merits at all. I have not.
Just some more thoughts to help you. Good luck on your choice.
It's very expensive and if you have the cash to expend.. it "might" help you "feel" better. If that is what you are trying to achieve.. then again, maybe it's worth the expense. Personally, I've been through it, and it's like going to a mechanical back spa! Umm, made my overall spine feel better, as it gave me a workout each time I was there. But this machine does not "heal" anything. And even continuing the exercises post treatment.. eventually I was back to my old self again in time.
I think you would be hard pressed to find a spine surgeon give this program any merits at all. I have not.
Just some more thoughts to help you. Good luck on your choice.
julyg
07-06-2007, 10:36 AM
I was in same situation as you. I spent the 4 grand and was absolutely no better. In fact I had a Mri 3 weeks after the sessions and my pain mgmt dr said I had further dehydration in 2 discs! I beleive the DRX 9000 made things worse.
A lot of health plans now cover it although mine did not.
I think you should know that the manufacturer of the machine pays for most of the marketing costs for the chiro's and that is why you see so many ads and "testimonials".
I met one man who had it done, thought it was great however 6months later had to have the surgery anyway.
Ck out my previous post "stupid therapies I have tried"
July
A lot of health plans now cover it although mine did not.
I think you should know that the manufacturer of the machine pays for most of the marketing costs for the chiro's and that is why you see so many ads and "testimonials".
I met one man who had it done, thought it was great however 6months later had to have the surgery anyway.
Ck out my previous post "stupid therapies I have tried"
July
kaplang
07-12-2007, 03:38 PM
I agree with you in regards to the sales tactics and training that so called "Doctors" are using. I requested info from 4 places across the state of Michigan. After receiving the 1st set of information with the "1x $240.00 fee waived" information, then 2-3 weeks later, even if I met with them I got 4 packets stating "2nd chance". Doctors are not salespeople or marketing people, they are supposed to assist in healing process. I dont like that they are trying to sell. However as a salesperson I understand when they were sold on the $125-150k machine, that they were told since not covered by insurance, they will teach Doc s how to market.
I expressed this to my chiropractor and even spit out some of my sales and business numbers of if he truly signed 11 new clients a month for $4200 and did approx $500k per year in cash sales. Then if he told all of us he has had a 85% success ratio with his clients, why not GUARENTEE that if does not work for you a FULL REFUND! In that case if 15% of patients it does not work, he will give back around $65k. At the end of the year he will be up $335k. That is enough to pay for brand new machine, rent, labor and sitll have a $100k left over him himself. Then every patient in year 2 would be almost pure profit, making him after expenses taking home an additional $300,000/year. Why not buy 5 machines.
Needless to say he wasn t quite sure how to respond and said that is not how he does business and when I questioned him on the so called "10 new patients for DRX 9000" he couldnt confirm that it was even close to that number.
I dont expect them to sell, they need to focus on healing and the money will come from good work and referrals.
He did work out a pay 1/2 and try 1-12 sessions to see if any improvment and I can make the decision to continue or not.
I have heard many positive stories on DRX 9000, but many more dissapointments. But for me it seems to be one of the last resorts I can try since my surgeon has told me he doesn't believe that the surgeory may correct my problem.
If only I could hit the LOTTO I wouldnt have to think about it but try without thought. But I haven't yet, so I will go buy my ticket, keep working and probably pay the $2100.00 and see if it does anything for me or if I will be the next post that states "RIP OFF".
I expressed this to my chiropractor and even spit out some of my sales and business numbers of if he truly signed 11 new clients a month for $4200 and did approx $500k per year in cash sales. Then if he told all of us he has had a 85% success ratio with his clients, why not GUARENTEE that if does not work for you a FULL REFUND! In that case if 15% of patients it does not work, he will give back around $65k. At the end of the year he will be up $335k. That is enough to pay for brand new machine, rent, labor and sitll have a $100k left over him himself. Then every patient in year 2 would be almost pure profit, making him after expenses taking home an additional $300,000/year. Why not buy 5 machines.
Needless to say he wasn t quite sure how to respond and said that is not how he does business and when I questioned him on the so called "10 new patients for DRX 9000" he couldnt confirm that it was even close to that number.
I dont expect them to sell, they need to focus on healing and the money will come from good work and referrals.
He did work out a pay 1/2 and try 1-12 sessions to see if any improvment and I can make the decision to continue or not.
I have heard many positive stories on DRX 9000, but many more dissapointments. But for me it seems to be one of the last resorts I can try since my surgeon has told me he doesn't believe that the surgeory may correct my problem.
If only I could hit the LOTTO I wouldnt have to think about it but try without thought. But I haven't yet, so I will go buy my ticket, keep working and probably pay the $2100.00 and see if it does anything for me or if I will be the next post that states "RIP OFF".
julyg
07-12-2007, 10:04 PM
Before you try it,think hard and look at my post again regarding my MRI. The time between MRIs was 9 months.
I know where you are coming from though I was in so much pain and would not do the narcotics so I tried everything.
Why don't you call the MFG of the DRX 9000 and see how hulpful and pleasent they are (really really rude folks).
When you really look at the facts, the DRX9000 machine was not even the machine used in the medical protocol where supposedly they found a basis for pain relief. Ck out FDA site. Again the DRX9000 just has a great marketing program.
I got more relief out of me moist heat electric heating pad!
I know where you are coming from though I was in so much pain and would not do the narcotics so I tried everything.
Why don't you call the MFG of the DRX 9000 and see how hulpful and pleasent they are (really really rude folks).
When you really look at the facts, the DRX9000 machine was not even the machine used in the medical protocol where supposedly they found a basis for pain relief. Ck out FDA site. Again the DRX9000 just has a great marketing program.
I got more relief out of me moist heat electric heating pad!
neckpatient
07-13-2007, 03:31 AM
Hi, I am not expert on this, never tried it and never would. Basically you are paying off their equipment. If it were so great, they would have millions of patients and wouldn't have to charge so much in my opinion.
If you tried PT and if that PT included traction and it did not help, I think you could expect that this contraption wouldn't help either.
If you are really miserable, I would seek another opinion on if you are a surgical candidate. Sometimes what looks to be mild on the MRI can be life changing for the person. Get a dr. that listens. Many people that do surgery, still end up with some left over chronic pain and continue on pain meds for life. So if you are in a managed state on meds, you might want to avoid surgery.
If you tried PT and if that PT included traction and it did not help, I think you could expect that this contraption wouldn't help either.
If you are really miserable, I would seek another opinion on if you are a surgical candidate. Sometimes what looks to be mild on the MRI can be life changing for the person. Get a dr. that listens. Many people that do surgery, still end up with some left over chronic pain and continue on pain meds for life. So if you are in a managed state on meds, you might want to avoid surgery.
kaplang
07-17-2007, 02:15 PM
You certainly make a great point (or 2). Hard to believe that if traction didn't help at all in PT office, why would even a more "sophisticated" traction machine help at all.
It amazes me everyday how many 2nd and 3rd letters I get which are all the same marketing materials from different doctors come in the mail. They certainly sold the Doctors on how to market, since all of them are doing the same exact thing.
I did meet with a surgeon today and was told that it is not surgical. Well typically that is great news but also I kind of hoped when all else failed that they would have believed this may have fixed problem.
Pain meds certainly help but not completly stop pain and discomfort. I have told my pain doctor that I really don't want to be on narcotics the rest of my life (unless I choose what they are (joking)). But the come back with millions of people take different drugs everyday for many things that can help stop pain.
My Doctor now wants me to try getting Botox injections. Believes over time it may help.
As crazy as it sounds out of pure desperation, I believe I will try the DRX 9000 just in a small chance it will work it may be worth it.
I appreciate your response and advice!
It amazes me everyday how many 2nd and 3rd letters I get which are all the same marketing materials from different doctors come in the mail. They certainly sold the Doctors on how to market, since all of them are doing the same exact thing.
I did meet with a surgeon today and was told that it is not surgical. Well typically that is great news but also I kind of hoped when all else failed that they would have believed this may have fixed problem.
Pain meds certainly help but not completly stop pain and discomfort. I have told my pain doctor that I really don't want to be on narcotics the rest of my life (unless I choose what they are (joking)). But the come back with millions of people take different drugs everyday for many things that can help stop pain.
My Doctor now wants me to try getting Botox injections. Believes over time it may help.
As crazy as it sounds out of pure desperation, I believe I will try the DRX 9000 just in a small chance it will work it may be worth it.
I appreciate your response and advice!