QuestionI have read your previous postings on the DRX9000 and I am confused. I have a friend who received great results with this device and she has recommended it to me. After researching it further I have found that recent studies demonstrate that this device is better than traditional traction. Could you explain why you feel they are the same? Is there a study proving this?
AnswerDear Vanessa,
The first thing to consider is that just because your friend got good results with the DRX 9000, it doesn't mean that you will. She may have had degenerative disk disease, and you may have a herniated disk which are vastly different conditions. However, all patients are different, even if they have the same diagnosis. Our bodies all respond differently to therapeutic measures.
Having said that, many people do get great results with the intermittent directional traction applied from the DRX 9000, but others get great results with the Vax-D, Spine Force, Accuspina, Spine Med, Lordex, Chatanooga DTS, Spinal Aid and others. There are many different machines out on the market, and amazingly, they all claim to be the best...GO Figure! Many claim to have individual research to show how effective their machine is. But you must consider who is sponsoring that research...they are. Not to mention that one or two studies with favorable clinical results does not mean that the machine is highly effective. This is no different than a drug company paying for research that shows how effective their drug is: think about how many FDA approved drugs that have been on the market only to get recalled because they caused birth defects, heart attacks, and even death. My point here is that you have to take all the claims with a grain of salt.
All of the "intervertebral decompression" machines are based on the same technology and basically all do the same thing with subtle differences. I am not saying that the technology isn't good or useful, just make sure that you do your homework and don't pay too much for the care. The best results come from clinics that know how to utilize the machine the best, and incorporate the best rehab...no matter what device is utilized. I have to admit that I actually like the technology, but I would never purchase a DRX 9000. I would buy the chatanooga unit, and I am actually in the process right now.
Buyer beware: These machines cost anywhere from $10,000.00 (chatanooga) to $150,000.00 dollars for the doctor to purchase...most are over $100,000.00. Then the doctor has to market the machine to get patients for it. So think about the average house payment on a $150,000.00 house, at 7%, for a 30 year mortgage, (around $1000.00 per month-now quadruple that payment...banks and finance companies do not lease equipment like this for more than 7 years. Now add in marketing costs and you are looking at $5000-$6000 monthly payments, and that does not factor in increased electricity, staff training, square footage for the unit etc... So many doctors are charging $5000 to $6000 for a 24 visit block of care on one of these machines. They just have to make that money back to pay their expenses, and that is before they make any profit.
Bottom line: I wouldn't pay more than $3000.00 tops and that should include all rehab as well. Just for comparison, I currently use a Cox Flexion Table in my practice to treat my hard cases that do not respond to spinal adjustments alone, and it works great. The table cost me $7500.00 and I charge patients the same amount that they would pay for a normal visit (spinal adjustment). For an entire rehab based care unit with a complete examination, x-rays, spinal adjustments, cox flexion, rehab exercises, and acute care it runs a bit more than $2200.00.
Vanessa, just make sure that you understand the diagnosis given, understand why DRX 9000 would be utilized, and look at all of your options first. If you still want to go through the program then go for it, but make sure that you aren't paying too much for it. Hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net
