Commonly Asked Questions

What does Decompression do?
Answer: Lumbar Decompression Therapy (LDT) is a closed (non-surgical) reduction decompression procedure designed to unload the discs and joints that produce pressure on sensitive nerve fibers.  This gentle, safe, and effective procedure focuses on specific lesions diagnosed as the source of pain.

Is the Lordex Procedure safe?
Answer: Yes.  By any standard of measurement, LDT is safe.  To expand on that, the safety of anything is determined by its relative safety to its alternative.  For example, is driving safer than flying?  Is riding a bus safer than a train?  Thousands of back pain sufferers are undergoing surgery every year, and millions more are taking pain medications to deal with their symptoms.  Make no mistake about it, besides covering up the symptoms and ignoring the underlying cause of back pain, thousands of people will die this year due to medically prescribed drugs and surgery.   LDT is not only safer and less expensive than drugs and surgery, it is has a higher success rate.  With this technology today, there is no reason not to try LDT before resorting to surgery.

What is the Strength Restoration Therapy?
Answer: STR or Strength Restoration Therapy is a low back stabilization process achieved through specific exercises that target the muscles that support the spine.  Because herniated discs are generally thought to be a result of mechanical instability and disuse atrophy, STR is a vital component to restore muscle support.  This procedure is often the "missing ingredient" in other decompression systems, and is why we chose the Lordex equipment over all the other similar machines for our office.

Is the Program for Everyone?
Answer: No.  Patients experiencing low back pain caused by fractures, tumors, infection, or metabolic disease processes are not candidates for the program.  Careful screening determines your course of treatment and whether or not you are a candidate.  While some people have conditions that exceed the limits of any procedure, the current literature suggests that 90 to 92% of patients with herniated discs, degenerative joint disease, sciatica, facet syndrome, and bulging discs are candidates for this program.

What is the Typical Cost for Undergoing the Procedure?
Answer: Because every patient has a unique treatment plan, the cost will vary.  Be assured of these facts: 1) The cost is a small fraction of the cost of surgery 2) There is NO CHARGE for a consultation to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure  3) Affordable, zero-percent payment plans are available to most patients, and 4) Virtually every insurance plan covers this procedure.

For answers to your health questions, write to us at  drrich1@optonline.net