Thus far, ten research studies have been completed on VAX-D. Eight have been published in juried medical journals and a ninth soon will be. This is considerably more research than has been published on the efficacy of any other non-surgical spinal decompression procedure.

While each study listed here examines a different aspect of the VAX-D procedure, the conclusions are all in agreement: VAX-D is a valid, consistently effective, safe, cost-effective treatment protocol – and a clear alternative to surgery.

1. “Efficacy of VAX-D on Chronic Low Back Pain: Study of a Dosage Regimen,” Gustavos Ramos, MD, Dept of Neurosurgery and Radiology, Rio Grande Regional Hospital, McAllen, Texas, accepted for publication, Journal of Neurological Research, Vol 26, April 2004.

   Conclusion: “VAX-D should be utilized in all patients who are poor surgical candidates and before surgery is undertaken except in the emergent conditions.”

2. “VAX-D Reduces Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain – 4 Year Study,” Robert Odell, MD and Daniel Boudreau, DO, Anesthesiology News,” Vol 29, No 3, March 2003.

   Conclusion: ”Of the 23 patients who responded [to the study questionnaire], 52% had a pain level of zero, 91% were able to resume their normal daily activities, and 87% were either working or were retired without having back pain as the cause for retirement” – “and there were no complications with this treatment.”

3. “A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study of VAX-D and TENS for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain,” Eugene Sherry, MD, Senior Lecturer in Orthopedics, Sydney University, Peter Kitchner, MD, and Russell Smart, Journal of Neurological Research, Vol 23, No 7, October 2001.

   Conclusion: “The results of this prospective study demonstrate that VAX-D can achieve a statistically significant improvement in pain and functional outcome for patients suffering from disc-related chronic low back pain.”

4. “Dermatomal Somatosensory Evoked Potential Demonstration of Nerve Root Decompression After VAX-D Therapy,” William K. Naguszewski, MD, Robert K. Naguszewski, MD and Earl E. Gose, Ph d, Journal of Neurological Research, Vol 23, No 7, October 2001.

   Conclusion: “VAX-D therapy, however, addresses both primary and secondary causes of low back and referred pain. We thus submit that VAX-D therapy should be considered first, before the patient undergoes a surgical procedure which permanently alters the anatomy and function of the affected lumbar spine segment.”

5. “Vertebral Axial Decompression Therapy for Pain Associated with Herniated or Degenerated Discs or Facet Syndrome: An outcome study,” Earl E. Gose, Ph d, William K. Naguszewski, MD and Robert K. Naguszewski, MD, Journal of Neurological Research, Vol 20, No 3, April 1998.

   Conclusion: “VAX-D by its unique design may more precisely address the physiology of persistent low back pain than other conventional therapies. We consider it to be a front line treatment for degenerative spondylosis, facet syndrome, disc disease, and non-surgical lumbar radiculopathy.”

6. An Overview of Vertebral Axial Decompression,” Frank Tilaro, MD, Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol 5, No. 1, January 1998.

   Conclusion: “VAX-D therapy addresses the biochemical aspects of discogenic and achieves its objective through decompression. It should be utilized in patients with low back pain with or without radiculopathy who have failed conventional therapy (physiotherapy and chiropractic), and should be utilized prior to addressing surgery.”

7. “The Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression On Sensory Nerve Dysfunction in Patients with Low Back Pain and Radiculopathy,” Frank Tilaro, MD and Dennis Muskovich, MD, Canadian Journal of Clinical Medicine, Vol 6, No 1, January 1998

   Conclusion: “Fourteen of twenty-two peripheral nerves (64%) showing abnormal dysfunction secondary to compressive radiculopathy returned to normal function after therapeutic course of VAX-D therapy. The data from this study implies that VAX-D therapy is capable of influencing sensory nerve dysfunction associated with a compressive radiculopathy.”

8. “Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression on Intradiscal Pressure,” Gustavo Ramos, MD and William Martin, MD, Journal of Neurosurgery, 81:350-353, Sept. 1994.

   Conclusion: “. . . it is possible to lower pressure in the nucleus pulposis of herniated discs below 0mm Hg when distraction tension is applied according to the protocol described for vertebral axial decompression therapy.”

9. “Medical Technologies Group Special Report on VAX-D,” MTG News, Vol 4, No 8, August 1995. [MTG is a medical review group that examines medical procedures, drugs and treatment protocols and makes recommendations to insurance companies.]

   Conclusion: “Coupled with modern imaging technology that recorded modifications in the extent of herniated discs with VAX-D therapy, no other non-interventional means of treating low back pain, mechanical or otherwise, has shown such promise. MTG recommends the FDA approved VAX-D therapy for those patients who meet patient selection criteria.”

10. “An Industry-Based, Retrospective, Cost Analysis of Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D) -vs- Surgery for Lumbar Disc Disease: 10 Case Studies,” David Duncan, MD and Don Keenan, Ph d (Sinclair Oil Corporation Study, Tulsa Oklahoma). Publication Pending.

    Conclusion: The average cost to industry for a patient’s VAX-D treatments alone is $3,500-4,500 as compared to an average cost of $12,000-65,000 for surgery alone (depending on surgical procedure performed).

Complete texts of all studies can be found at www.vaxd.com.
Copies are available at:

American Back Center
122 South Michigan Avenue -- Suite 1560
Chicago, IL 60603
312-939-4121