Dr. Su Liu
Rockland Spine care
Pacesetter park
Route 202
Pomona, NY  10970

Re:      Pre and Post - VAX-D therapy :   Patient  XXXXX

Dear Dr. Lui;

     I have compared the MRI examination of the lumbar spine, which was obtained on September 28, 1999 with the patient's follow-up MRI examination of the lumbosacral spine, which was obtained on April 13, 2002.   The difference is dramatic and remarkable.

    On the initial exam from 1999, there was a posterior disc herniation at the L5/S1 level, which measured approximately 1.2 cm in the greatest diameter. The herniated disc was seen extending into the spinal canal and deforming the ventral aspect of the thecal sac.

    The follow-up examination on April 13, 2002 showed no evidence whatsoever of a herniated disc or any deformity of the thecal sac.  The L5/S1 intervertebral disc appeared normal in marked contrast to the appearance of the L5/S1 disc three (3) years earlier.   This case is probably the most dramatic non-surgical herniated disc improvement I have ever seen on a lumbosacral spine MRI examination.

 Sincerely,

Allan B. Rubin, M.D.

For a number of years, working as a Physiatrist (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation) I have experienced a great disappointment in treating patients with Back Pain. Neither of available treatment methods were helpful except surgery in selected cases.

Patients with Degenerative Disc disease, Disc Herniation, Disc Bulging and Posterior Facet Syndrome usually have "ON" & "OFF" Pain pattern that eventually become constant with radicular symptoms, disabling the Patient.

Since September of 1996 We at SOMA Medical Center are using Comprehensive VAX-D treatment that has showed to be very effective alternative to surgery.

The outcomes, the effectiveness of Comprehensive VAX-D treatment by measuring: pain, activities level, return to work- before treatment and 3-mo after treatment is about 75-80%. VAX-D works by creating a local environment where the disc is healed and the herniation dramatically decreased in size. This was proofed by repeated MRI on several patients.

Comprehensive VAX-D treatment is effective in cases where surgery failed specifically after Laminectomy. Chronic Patients respond to treatment very well but require more treatment sessions.

As mentioned above, the indications for VAX-D treatment are Acute and Chronic Lower Back Pain related to Degenerative Disc Disease, Disc Herniation and Bulging, Posterior Facet Arthropathy, regardless of previous treatment received, except surgical hardware instrumentation. There are several contraindications that should be discussed with a medical doctor who is a provider for VAX-D.

EDWARD A. FERRIS, M.D.
Medical Director
SOMA Medical Center
St. Louis, Missouri 

For the last two years this office has been rendering care to patients suffering from intervertebral disc herniations, ruptures and degeneration using the VAX-D equipment. This technology is far superior to any other traditional techniques and procedures with better results than many surgeries.

It is a genuine pleasure to recommend this non-surgical treatment for the relief of these nerve compressing conditions.

Many thanks for your help. I only wish more people know about VAX-D.

MATTHEW J. BRITTON, M.D.
Medical Director
Norcross Medical Associates
Norcross, Georgia
 

In my experience working with patients at the American Back Center in Chicago since December 1994, VAX-D has been approximately 75% successful in relieving sciatica pain in MRI confirmed herniated discs with nerve root compression which correlates precisely with the patient's symptoms and his/her neurological findings.

Due to medical-economic reality, post VAX-D treatment MRI scans on these patients were not done. However, I can state on clinical grounds that nerve root compression is relieved by VAX-D in at least 75% of the patients we have treated with that pathology.

GREGORY I. SHENK, M.D.
Consultant Physician, American Back Center--Chicago
 

Since my first VAX-D table in 1993 produced such outstanding results and the demand has been so great among patients, I have expanded with several more tables and have treated over several hundred patients with all sorts of lumbar disc related problems.

I have found VAX-D to directly and measurably, through objective signs, relieve spinal nerve compression signs and symptoms and patients with diminished reflexes and strength resolve directly after treatment. Patients with decreased sensation, or "pins and needles" sensation, have reported return of sensation to the lower extremity, sometimes after several months of numbness. My best results have been achieved with patients having neurologic symptoms with documentation by MRI of nerve root impingement. Around 80-90% of those patients have resolved and the other 10% have gone on to surgery. Let me stress that all of these patients have had several types of conservative treatments with no relief or options except surgery. Patients have asked about getting repeat MRI's out of curiosity. There was one case in particular where I had a post-MRI that showed a reduction in the herniation six months apart, but the first MRI was five months before my treatment. It is a shame that pre- and post-MRI's cost more than the treatment itself.

As I stated, I have treated a variety of lumbar conditions including spondylolisthesis, arachnoiditis, facet arthoropy and post-surgical patients with recurrence at both the same and different levels. Results after surgery depending on the number and types of surgery. Fusions are difficult whereas a failed single laminectomy responds almost always. My most difficult cases have been chronic low back pain without neurologic Symptoms and on specific MRI's

VAX-D relieves nerve compression symptoms even when other non-invasive treatments have failed, and usually can help even when back surgery has failed.

TIMOTHY EXARHOS, M.D.
Plantation, Florida
 

I am the owner of a clinic that performs the Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D) treatment for lower back pain. I have been utilizing this procedure in treating patients with intractable low back pain for approximately nine months. The success with this procedure includes allowing patients to return to a normal life style, to discontinue pain medication, to reduce the cost of their medical care and to avoid more painful treatment such as surgery and injections.

In summary, I highly recommend this procedure for treatment of severe lower back pain. It is the logical course of treatment to help avoid severe back pain that many of my patients experience daily.

WILLIAM C. McGARITY, JR., M.D.
Internal Medicine
Decatur, Georgia

Lance Castellana, D.D. (Family Practice)
Twin County Medical Associates PC.
328 Columbia St. Hudson. NY 12554

Phone: (513) 826-5527 Fax: (518) 828-2532

Date 10/5/2000

Rockland SpineCare
Pacesetter Park Route 202
Pomona~ New York 10970

  I wanted to bring you up to date on how I have been doing since I received VAX-D at Rockland Spine Care. In addition, I would like to outline my case which you may use as you see fit for any patients considering VAX-D or for physicians who are considering sending patients for VAX-D.

  I initially began to have low back pain and left leg pain at the end of January 2000 which I believe occurred after lifting some heavy suitcases. The back pain and leg pain became progressively worse over the next month. I had numerous visits to the local Emergency Rooms.  I had an MRI, which revealed three very herniated discs. Over the next three weeks, the pain became worse and I had to lay down on the floor in between patients to try and ease the pain. The pain became so excruciating, I had to go to the emergency room and receive an injection. After no relief, I was admitted and placed on IV medication.  Physical Therapy was started in the hospital and I continued as an outpatient. Although the pain improved slightly, I was unable to sleep through the night, having to get up every two hours because of the pain. At the end of April, 1 knew I would be unable to go back to work and had exhausted all conservative treatments. Physical Therapy and the epidural steroid injection did not seem to be helping me at that point. I felt that my only alternative would be surgery. I began to feel some leg weakness and had difficulty rising from a kneeling position.  I then became aware of     VAX-D and after reviewing the literature, I was convinced that the research was good and theory behind it made eminent sense. My neurosurgeon and neurologist agreed. 

After three VAX-D treatments, I was able to sleep through the night without any pain. At this point, I am pain free arid strength in the left leg is near normal. I essentially feel the same as I did before I sustained the back Injury. Had I not gone through VAX-D. I am quite sure that I would have needed surgery which certainly would have been a more involved surgery given the fact that I had three very lateral herniated discs. 

As a physician who has experienced this ordeal of having three herniated discs and the severe pain associated with it and given the fact that it had essentially incapacitated me, I was very grateful to find this FDA approved procedure.  It is quite clear to me that this is a very under utilized procedure, which more physicians should know about.

In those patient’s with chronic low back pain with the diagnosis of extruded herniations, multiple herniations, single herniations, degenerative disc disease and facet joint syndrome, who are candidates for VAX-D and have no contraindications, I would certainly advocate this treatment before moving onto more invasive treatments.  In fact. I would feel almost unethical not sending a patient to VAX-D prior to an invasive surgical procedure if he/she was a candidate for VAX-D and had failed other conservative treatments.

Sincerely,

Lance Castellana M.D. (Family Practice)

Earnest A. Reiner, M.D.
5104 Poe Avenue
Tampa, FL 33629-7257

I am an 80-year-old practicing internist in Tampa Florida and believe the following summary of my personal history and medical report might be of interest to others suffering from similar problems.

Because of left leg pains and bilateral symptoms of pseudo-claudication, it was necessary to have spinal surgery in December 1985. Severe spinal stenosis and herniated disc were noted at the L3-L4 level at that time. Good results were obtained and I remained essentially symptom free until January 1996. At that time, left back and leg pain were noted abruptly. Symptoms were relieved somewhat after bed rest and steroids. An MRI taken at the time revealed a diffuse area of stenosis of the canal from the L2-L3 to the L5-S1 levels. These were most severe at the L2-L3 level where there was a component of a herniated disc. Other than persistent left lateral
foot numbness and moderate back discomfort on standing, I was able to continue all medical activities and also engage in doubles tennis which is one sport I particularly enjoy even with some discomfort.

In June 1999, after a brief trip requiring heavy baggage handling,
extremely severe right-sided pain developed. This was aggravated by weight
bearing.


All studies were again repeated and the following findings noted.

At L1-L2 there was a mild disc bulge. At L2-L3 there was a left ventral defect with compression of the nerve roots. At L3-L4 there was a slight ventral subluxation of the L3 on L45 with ventral flattening of the thecal sac and right postero-lateral extrinsic compression of the thecal sac noted.

This appeared to be due to large marginal osteophytes and perhaps disc protrusion in the right foramina. At L4-L5 there was ventral and right, more that left, ventrolateral compression by the disc disease and osteophytic spurs. At L5-S1 there was ventral indentation associated
with a narrowed disc space.

Because of the findings of these multi-level disc herniations and bony stenosis, and because of the persistence of right sciatic pain, it was felt that a combined procedure was necessary. A wide decompressive laminectomy followed by spinal fusion at multiple levels was scheduled to
be done by a neurosurgeon /spinal surgeon.

In the interim period while awaiting surgery, routine physical therapy was carried out with no change in symptoms. I donated blood in anticipation of the surgery.

On evening in a state of frustration and depression, I turned on my computer. I searched out "lumbar stenosis" and the first article that stuck my attention was " an alternate to back surgery". This was an article describing " Vertebral Axial Decompression" ( VAX-D).

By what must be considered divine intervention, I dialed the 800 number listed with the article. I spoke at the time to Dr. Frank Tilaro, the medical director of VAX-D Medical Technologies. We spoke of my problems and although we agreed I was faced with serious complications that could effect the level of response he suggested in my case it would be certainly worth considering VAX-D before resorting to surgery. Although the by-line on the article was Utah I found that Dr. Tilaro was speaking to me from the VAX-D head office in Palm Harbor Florida only 28 miles from my home. I made arrangements to see him the next day at which time arrangements were made for me to receive VAX-D treatments in Palm Harbor.

I made 28 daily trips, each day five days a week, to the office where I received the VAX-D treatment. Each treatment session lasted about 30 to 45 minutes. By the fifteenth session my progress was sufficient that I cancelled the surgery. After 28 treatments, that is within six weeks, I was pain free.

I am most happy to say that now for the past 18 months, since completing my course of therapy, I have remained in remission, the numbness in my left foot has cleared and I am able to continue my medical duties as well as play, golf and tennis several times a week. I have had no recurrence ofproblems with my back to date, in spite of active participation in frequent sport activities.

I am the most grateful person on the face of the earth for having been directed to this non-surgical alternative to back pain treatment. It will be my legacy in life to bring this treatment to my hometown. It is inconceivable that this new and different manner of decompression of intervertebral discs and facet joints is not better known. It is most
difficult to understand, as a physician and patient, why this proven non-surgical treatment is not covered by all insurance carriers and Medicare but also is not routinely recommended prior to surgical intervention.

For my extremely severe multilevel lumbosacral pathology VAX-D was truly a lifesaver.

Earnest A. Reiner, M.D. 

Lance Castellana, M.D. (Family Practice)
Twin County Medical Associates PC.
328 Columbia St. Hudson. NY 12554
Phone: (513) 826-5527 Fax: (518) 828-2532
Date 1O/5/2000

Rockland SpineCare
Pacesetter Park Route 202
Pomona~ New York 10970

I wanted to bring you up to date on how I have been doing since I received VAX-D at Rockland Spine Care. In addition, I would like to outline my case which you may use as you see fit for any patients considering VAX-D or for physicians who are considering sending patients for VAX-D.

I initially began to have low back pain and left leg pain at the end of January 2000 which I believe occurred after lifting some heavy suitcases. The back pain and leg pain became progressively worse over the next month.

I had numerous visits to the local Emergency Rooms. I had an MRI, which revealed three very herniated discs. Over the next three weeks, the pain became worse and I had to lay down on the floor in between patients to try and ease the pain. The pain became so excruciating, I had to go to the emergency room and receive an injection. After no relief, I was admitted and placed on IV medication. Physical Therapy was started in the hospital and I continued as an outpatient. Although the pain improved slightly, I was unable to sleep through the night, having to get up every two hours because of the pain. At the end of April, 1 knew I would be unable to go back to
work and had exhausted all conservative treatments. Physical Therapy and the epidural steroid injection did not seem to be helping me at that point. I felt that my only alternative would be surgery. I began to feel some leg weakness and had difficulty rising from a kneeling position. 

I then became aware of VAX-D and after reviewing the literature, I was convinced that the
research was good and theory behind it made eminent sense. My neurosurgeon and neurologist agreed.

After three VAX-D treatments, I was able to sleep through the night without any pain. At this point, I am pain free arid strength in the left leg is near normal. I essentially feel the same as I did before I sustained the back Injury. Had I not gone through VAX-D. I am quite sure that I would have needed surgery which certainly would have been a more involved surgery given the fact that I had three very lateral herniated discs.

As a physician who has experienced this ordeal of having three herniated discs and the severe pain associated with it and given the fact that it had essentially incapacitated me, I was very grateful to find this FDA approved procedure. It is quite clear to me that this is a very under utilized procedure, which more physicians should know about.

In those patient's with chronic low back pain with the diagnosis of extruded herniations, multiple herniations, single herniations, degenerative disc disease and facet joint syndrome, who are candidates for VAX-D and have no contraindications, I would certainly advocate this treatment before moving onto more invasive treatments. In fact. I would feel almost unethical not sending a patient to VAX-D prior to an invasive surgical procedure if he/she was a candidate for VAX-D and had failed other conservative treatments.

Sincerely,


Lance Castellana M.D. (Family Practice)


If you tried medication, physical therapy, cortisone injections, epidural steroid injections, chiropractic, acupuncture, and /or traction and are stuck suffering with back pain, call Rockland SpineCare today to schedule a Free Introductory consultation at 845-354-INFO (4636) to determine If VAX-D is right for you. To learn more, visit our Internet site at www.vaxd.net.
Dr. Su Liu is a specialist in physical medicine.

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info@vaxd.net