I'm the new kid on the block, but I've been reading a lot of your posts on this forum and I'm so thankful to have found it! I chose "quick reply" hope that the right one. My story in a nutshell....

Long standing history of lower back pain
Surgery in 1994 for fractured disc... successful for the most part
Many MRI's, most recent within the last year
Belonged to an HMO and was more or less told to live with it... given pain pills which I hate. Presently taking Ultram 50mg three times a day
Quite HMO 1-1-07 and got local doctor... saw him today. He doesn't like pain pills, even Ultram. Said it IS a narcotic, even though I was told it is not when HMO put me on it
New doctor (Dr. Parker) said he likes to help people with low back problems and he is confident my bulging discs can be helped
PREVIOUSLY (last week) went to see a chiropractor, Dr. Baldwin, re DRX 9000 after seeing TV spot. Of course I got the same schpeel many of you report. Told I will need 30 treatments including massage and some chiro adjustments. I have never believed in chiro as I worked for 35 years as an RN, but the TV spot intrigued me. So... was told it would cost $9000!!! Told my husband will have to be with me for the review of my "5 bulging discs (according to their review of my MRI report) and to sign up for the payment of treatments. Dr. I saw at the free consultation said they can finance it through some company which I forgot the name right now and the payments would be around 200 a month. He also wanted to do the required physical that day with a cost of around $200. It took him less than 5 minutes! The technician did another scan of my spine with the little gizmo right before the mini exam... and I mean mini. We re scheduled to go for the meeting when I sign on the dotted line to pay the $9000 this coming Wed. After reading this forum and the various posts, I'm thinking I better get out while the getting is good. But the patients there told me how much it was helping them. I want so desperately to get rid of this debilitating pain and be able to ride my bike and work out like I was. The hip pain that radiates down my leg is the worse part. Can't sleep on my R side, hurts to lay on back. So I get up and sleep in my recliner with a heating pad. Thanks for letting me ramble on here. I sure am open for suggestions. Is this DRX basically a money making business that may give a bit of help but it won't be lasting???? Doesn't $9000 sound way out of line? Should I just stick with my new doctor? I really liked his manor and I've worked with many doctors over the years as an RN, so I think I am a pretty good judge of that... at least I hope so.

Hi. $9000 sounds absolutely way out of line. Please be careful before you sign anything.

I know you indicated that you don't care for chiropractors but let me assure you, a certain chiropractor/neurologist by the name of Dr. Theirl (in NYC) has literally saved my husband's life. My husband went to him weighing over 267 lbs, had severe Peripheral Neuropathy, wore a Fentanyl pain patch, and couldn't even bend his legs, was stiff as a board and well, fast forward 3 years later, he no longer is on any pain meds (he was off the patch after starting with Dr. Theirl in about 3 months), he weighs about 197, he goes to the gym 3 to 4 times a week, he eats healthy, (he had a stent put in in January), and yesterday at the gym, his primary care physician Dr. Fred told Alan, "I want to speak to your Dr. Theirl, I have a lot of back patients".

So before you rush out to this DRX and pay $9000, if you live near NYC, why not go and see Dr. Theirl. His website is Functionalrestoration.com

He helps a lot of people and most of all, he helped my Alan. He's a different man today. I credit Dr. Theirl first for helping him with the PN and Dr. Fred for getting him to go to the gym and acting like Rocky Balboa.

Good luck,
Melody

I live a long ways from NYC... I live in Washington State! I appreciate your advise. Did Dr. Theirl use the DRX 9000 machine for Alen? Do you know an average cost for it in other places? I guess I shouldn't have said I don't like chiropractors like that. I worked so long in the more traditional setting and heard a lot of horror stories. But people don't come in and tell you the good ones like you did.

I wanted to say HI and Welcome to - Pink Buzz Bomb.

I have a very good chiropractor.
He does use low level laser, ultrasound, IF stimulation {similar to a TENS but better} & Nimmo {a triggerpoint/deep tissue type treatment}. He uses the Gonstead technique and is very precise and gentle when he does any adjustments and he also adjusts the C1/C2.
{called Upper cervical adjustment}
- some of the chiro sites have many listings and specialties and list the additional classes a DC has taken.
here's one -
http://www.chiroweb.com/locator/

But definitely don't sign up for the DRX machine or those treatments.

There are plenty of good chiros out there and advanced PT people too, that might be able to help for a lot less than 9k.
Or possibly a physiatrist that works closely with advanced PT people.

I did a search for Washington state - http://www.chiroweb.com/locator/sear...2&country=USA&

Some MDs don't want to accept that a DC might be able to help someone when the MD can't. It's just a "thing" that makes for a divide.
Personally I think we would all be in better shape if they would work together more often.

Oh - if you decide to try a DC- use the first visit/evaluation appt {sometimes they will discount this first one} to ask and get a feel for the DC to see if you will feel comfortable with them. Use it as an interview so to speak.

I've been signed up for this guys newsletter for quite awhile- here's his website- http://www.atlaschiro.com/roundy.htm

Hi Pink Buzz Bomb:

No, Dr. Theirl doesn't use the 95X machine. Or any machine similar to it. He does use a G5 machine. And he does adjustments on Alan's body that makes him want to dance when he gets home.

OH, Just finished watching 24. WHAT A SHOW!!!!

mel

Hello... As a Chiropractor whose patients have confidence in me, I must say that in the last 10 years I have only had 2 patients who were candidates for spinal decompression therapy (DRX9000).

For those 2 patients, it is probably the best option, but I also use Gonstead technique, and I find most patients are very statisfied with the care I give to them.

Don't know if this is still an active string, but if so, hopefully there will be an update about the woman's husband?
Cheers ~ SnowPetal

Hi, just got your email, letting me know you responded.

You have only found two people who qualified for the DRX, really??


Then how come all these chiropractors are using the machines and so many patients are paying BIG bucks for them.

Does this thing ever work.

My husband Alan, (the one with the bad neuropathy) has been helped by Dr. Theirl in New York City. He's a chiropractic neurologist.

However, Alan's neuro ordered a spinal tap last month. They found protein, which led her to a diagnosis of CIDP, Chronic Inflammatory Demylenating Polyneuropathy. It's rare and many neuro's really never see a case of it.

She ordered him IVIG, and he finished the first 5 rounds in the hospital last week. No ill effects except he's exhausted. We are following up on Monday and will find out about home infusions.

I am looking up Gonstead technique. That's a new one for me!!!!

Thank god for insurance. That's all I can say.

Good to hear from you!!!!
Melody

hey. L5S1, the usual.

not a doctor. im 30, did 20 treatments (mine was only 3K, 9 sounds like you could fly to calgary and get it done there for cheaper).

i went from 8/10 to 0/10 with the odd 4/10 flair up after working out and playing squash too muchh.

my email is ryanmitton@gmail.com

like many things in life, u will only get what you intend on getting.

i don't own a machine, and im not a doctor. worked like a charm....

Jarrett,

I totally and completely agree with you. I have been a "spiney" for a long time. Since there is stenosis and osteophytes there is NO WAY I would use traction. Forget the monies involved; it is a big scam in my opinion. Trust me, I have talked to my spinal PM a hundred times about conservative therapies like this; traction and even chiropractic and it is all hogwash. I was put in cervical traction once and it made me much worse. I thank God every day for the spinal group I eventually found. There are far better treatments for this than just traction. Think about the traction itself, just pulling on the lumbar spine. And when done, I can just visualize what it is doing or could do to the nerve roots. To me it is potentially dangerous and could potentially cause more problems than what is worth such as bowel and bladder issues. Sorry Melody, I don't mean to sound abrupt. But obviously Alan has two separate issues going on...the PN and the spinal disorders. I would NOT, NOT, NOT do the traction. I was just talking to a gal the other day that was doing lumbar traction and now she is much worse off. I simply wouldn't do it and I would find a good spinal PM, NS or OS. I know people are going to disagree with me. But considering Alan has stenosis and all kinds of spinal issues, I would not let anyone or anything manipulate my spine at all!

PainMD,

EXCELLENT point! Peripheral and central are two totally different beasts. AGAIN, two different and distinct processes!