The following VAX-D testimonials are from patients from all walks of life. All of these are real cases. They represent a few of the life changing stories of those who have lived with chronic back pain. Some of them were treated in our office and some were treated in other offices throughout the US. 

As we commemorate our first fifteen years of providing VAX-D treatment, we can now celebrate a proud history, and commitment to the patients for whom we care and for those whose lives we have forever changed. Our goal is to help promote excellent healthcare throughout life with respect, dignity and compassion for all of those who suffer with chronic pain.

VAX-D truly offers new hope for the millions of people who suffer from low back pain everyday.

What better recommendation can you receive than from physicians who are also patients?

Lance Castellana, MD
Rockland SpineCare 

 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 received 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, I 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 reviewed the literature on this. After reviewing these articles, 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 still pain free and my 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 underutilized procedure, which more physician should know about. 

In those patient’s with chronic low back pain with the diagnoses 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 on to more invasive treatments. In fact, I would feel almost unethical not sending a patient to VAX-D prior to an invasive surgical procedure if they were a candidate for VAX-D and had failed other conservative treatments.

Sincerely, 

LANCE CASTELLANA, M.D. [Family Practice]

Robert Channey, M.D.
Assistant Surgeon General of the United States Health and Human Services

I had a back problem in 1977. We found that the discs had deteriorated at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 area. In July of 1993, I ended up with excruciating pain in my back, and this time all of the way down the left leg to my toes. It wasn't until the latter part of September in 1993 that I found a program on TV about VAX-D. It looked like the thing, but I was suspicious. I called the office and made an appointment for the next day. At that time they did an extended exam on myself and recommended that I have an MRI. The MRI showed deterioration at the L4-L and L5--S1 areas. They recommended that I start on VAX-D and stay on it for 15 straight days, missing my weekends at the beach and on the boat.

I said, well it's worth a try, so I started. I was there one Saturday morning and was talking to another gentleman who was also a physician, and I said I thought this was doing well for my back but I was doubtful about the sciatic pain in my left leg. He was of the same opinion but we were going to continue on anyway. On the 27th of September, being my birthday, my family (which I have a large one) , took me for a seafood dinner down by the bay. All the way down and all the way back I could not get any relief from the aches in my back and particularly in my left leg.

I continued on with treatment and after the fifteenth session I only had a slight twinge occasionally. Since that day on, I am completely free of the pain in my back and my left leg. I jog the same as I used to, as I did last evening, not a very long one, down to the park and back. I cut the lawn, I'm back without any pain at all, and I've got to say that VAX-D was the thing that did it for me.

Robert Channey, M.D.
Assistant Surgeon General

July 2002

This letter will be short and to the point.   My name is Jack Dodge, M.D. and I run Mitchell Urgent Care in Mitchell, South Dakota. 

Brief history -- I was born and raised in Sioux Falls, graduated from USD (1980) and USD Medical School in 1984.  I interned at McKennan Hospital from 1984 - 1985 and worked in emergency medicine in Arizona and California from 1985 - 1995 and in Mitchell from 1995 - 1998.  I have spent the last 3 years in urgent/acute care. 

As many of you in town know me, I'm very active in athletics and sports medicine.   For the last 7 years I have been burdened with increasing back pain to the point of eliminating some sports and only sleeping 5 hours before being awakened with severe back pain.   

A lumbar spine x-ray in 1995 verified the L5-S1 narrowing.  Then last winter, I herniated L4-5 while lifting my 200 lb. father off a port-o-potty and suffered the typical sciatica pain down my left buttock and leg.  I couldn't even play golf in Arizona!  An MRI showed a large herniated  disc at L4-5 with an annular tear.  

lt also confirmed a severe degeneration of the L5-S1 disc.  As we all know, back surgery should be the patient's very last option.  Health care costs and complications are reason enough.  We have some great surgeons and back specialists in Sioux Falls, and I never hesitate to refer patients to them .  Before, we had limited options for acute and chronic back pain - pain meds, injections, physical therapy and chiropractors -- all which basically treat symptoms, not the underlying problems.   Well we have a solution at VAX-D (vertebral axial decompression).   I did the full treatment - 30 sessions - and I am virtually pain free, I'm golfing, running and most importantly, sleeping 7 full hours with no back pain.  This procedure works.  I believe in it so much that I'm now the medical director here.  I'm salaried, so no matter how busy we are, I'm paid the same.   Financial gain is not my number one goal, helping people with severe back pain is, The greatest majority of patients seen here in the past 30 months have had similar results, post surgical patients included.

You can call me anytime with questions or concerns at 331-5757.  Thank you for your time, 

Jack I. Dodge, M.D.

Richard Goulding, M.D.
Otolaryngology
Palm Bay, Florida

I thought I'd overdone one of my workouts, and that the pain would eventually work itself through. When I reached to pick up my laptop computer and an excruciating pain shot down my leg, I knew that I hadn't simply overworked my muscles; something was definitely wrong. I figured I had four options, I could do nothing, and learn to live with the pain, I could have epidural injections, but one of my friends went that route and ended up with a cerebral spinal fluid leak. I could schedule surgery and run the risk of further complications from scar tissue. I know people who've had surgery and they say they never came back 100%. Or, I could have VAX-D.

VAX-D is a medical decompression technique that creates a powerful vacuum inside the discs of the lumbar spine. Precise measurements of tension and pressure guide the specific use of VAX-D and allow the specially trained therapist to target decompression to the specific level of spinal dysfunction. The negative pressure of the vacuum draws the herniated disc back into its proper orientation, draws nutrient-rich spinal fluid into the disc, and stimulates repair cells, effectively mending the disc.

My wife had a herniated disc that was treated with VAX-D and following her regimen she was completely cured, and I wanted to know if it was the right procedure for me. I was in such pain that I was literally crawling across the floor. I'd have done almost anything to gain some relief, but if I could be treated with VAX-D, that was my first choice. It is important to get a good diagnostic assessment before selecting a remedy because medical science is developing more options for the patient than ever before. By understanding a patient's condition thoroughly, we increase the chances of avoiding surgery, and today, approximately ninety-five percent of back pain sufferers can be treated non-surgically.

I know it sounds impossible, but I could feel VAX-D working. I had relief from my pain for several hours after my first treatment, and that's what I find so impressive about it. Nothing is completely risk-free, but this is close, and all more invasive options were just that - invasive. Not to try VAX-D first to relieve pain like mine just didn't make sense to me. The result was 100% relief from my pain with this treatment. I think it's awesome.

Dennis Brown
Vice President, Interstate Battery Systems of America, Inc.

I had undergone a surgical laminectomy in 1992. Between 1992 and 1997 I had a recurrence of back problems on the right side. In December of 1997 I began to have back and leg pain on my right side and then my left side as well. The clinical evaluation of my pain along with an evaluation of the MRI indicated that a bulging disc might be the cause of the problem. A fusion surgery would be the next surgical option if a serious program of weight loss and back strengthening exercises was unsuccessful. I lost over 30 lbs. I religiously did my back exercises. Some time in August I felt something shift in my back and within 24 hours was barely able to walk. We tried an epidural injection directly into the disc with absolutely no benefit. At this point surgery was scheduled for late November. I learned about the VAX-D treatment. I asked my surgeon about this type of treatment, and he was not very hopeful about the chances that the procedure would be effective. To make matters worse, the procedure was not covered by my insurance because of the 'experimental nature of the procedure'.

At the point in time that I started VAX-D treatments I could hardly walk. After completing 20 treatments I felt that I was somewhat better, but not to the point of canceling my surgery. The doctor recommended an additional five treatments. Since November I have noticed that my back has improved dramatically. I began to play golf again in March of this year and at this point play about twice per week without any problems. Also, I have been off of medications since November. Any pain that I have experienced since the completion of VAX-D has not required medications of either a prescription or over the counter variety to help me cope.

I am convinced that VAX-D worked exactly the way that they said it would. The process promotes healing of the damaged disc.I urge you to consider this treatment as an alternative to the more risky and invasive alternative of surgery.

Sincerely,
Dennis Brown

Claudia McBean
Spring Valley, NY

Dear Dr. Schwartz:

As I write this letter and think back over the last 6 months, I am amazed at the changes in my life.  Prior to beginning treatment in your office for VAX-D and chiropractic care, I had been experiencing significant pain due to a herniated disc since October 2000.  At that time, the pain I experienced was so excruciating, that I was not able to walk from my bedroom to my kitchen each morning without doubling over in pain.  As a result, I was constantly taking muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications to relieve the pain.  Even so, I was still having difficulty walking, sitting, bending and most importantly, caring for my two year old son. 

After meeting with you, I reviewed the options available and decided to sign up for VAX-D.  Although VAX-D required a commitment of daily visits, I was determined to pursue that option versus the recommendation of back surgery from a surgeon.  To my surprise, within my first three visits on VAX-D, I felt a slight decrease in the pain symptoms!  Over the following 5 weeks, I was relieved to feel a significant reduction in the horrendous pain I had been living with for so long.  VAX-D WORKS!

In follow-up to my VAX-D, the chiropractic care you've provided has continued to help me to return to most of my everyday functions.  With the additional educational discussions and workshops you've provided, I've gained a tremendous amount of knowledge on how to better care for my back and overall health.  In closing, I'd like to thank you and your staff for the care and support you've provided, as it has been instrumental in keeping me focused and optimistic throughout my recovery. 

Sincerely,

Claudia McBean

Chris Doebler
Garnerville, NY

Dear Dr. Schwartz:

I am going to do my best to not make this sound like an advertisement or a commercial, because it is nothing more than a sincere, heartfelt thank you.  Five months ago, I would not even had been able to sit at my desk to compose this letter.  Five months ago, I didn't  think that I'd been able to sit down or do anything constructive ever again.  Due to a minor fall after getting off of a treadmill, my life had been turned upside-down.  A herniated disc in my lumbar spine had put pressure on some of the nerves that supply my left leg and this pressure had, in turn, generated the most excruciating pain that I had ever felt in my entire life.  This sharp and constant pain began at the top of my left buttock and continued all of the way down to the middle of my left calf.  My words thus far have done no justice to describe this awful pain.  I can only give you an idea of what it felt like by stating that if a combination of fire and razor blades had been tunneling up and down my leg day in and day out, it wouldn't have been any less comfortable. 

As I mentioned, sitting wasn't an option because it only put additional pressure on the nerves, thereby increasing the level of pain.  Lying on my back created the same response, especially on a cushioned surface.  Standing sometimes lessened the pain to the extent that it was just very intense.  Therefore I was reduced to lying prone on the living room floor with only a pillow to lean on.  Do not let me give you the impression that this offered any degree of comfort.  I assure you it did not.  But it was the best position I could find.  So there I lay for weeks on end.  My days consisted of calling out sick from work and popping anti-inflammatory pills and muscle relaxants, all to no avail.  My only solace was the two or three hours of sleep that Ambien would offer me each night.  I was literally at my wits end.  I even considered getting a series of intravenous drugs that was supposed to relieve the pain.  Luckily you advised me that the drug in question actually disintegrated the bulging disc material and that the consequences could be crippling. 

All in all, I tried stretching, walking, medical doctors, pain killers, and even deep tissue massage.  Nothing helped.  Although VAX-D required a large commitment, both financially and time-wise, it was time to put my faith into healing from within.  By my third session, I had already begun to feel reduction in pain.  By the end of the second week, I was doing everyday things that I hadn't done in months, such as driving and sitting for a few minutes without too much discomfort.  By the end of the treatment, I literally felt like a new person.  Two months have passed since then and I am finally getting back into a regular exercise program which I expect will help to keep my spine more stabilized.  I experience little or no pain each day and I would have spent twice the amount of time and money if I had known that I would get these results.  Thank you for giving me my life back."

Most Sincerely,
Chris Doebler

Kathe Currie
Telephone Company Worker
Buena Park, California

My name Is Kathe Currie. I am a 48-year old telephone company worker. I have suffered with low back pain for about the last 5 years. I am not sure what initially brought on the problem, but over the last few years I have been treated by a chiropractor that only gave me temporary relief. The pain always returned.

My doctor sent me for an MRI, which revealed a 9mm herniated disc at the L4-L5 area, and a pinched sciatic nerve. The pain in my legs was constant. The doctor told me that the only relief would be surgery and sent me to an orthopedic surgeon.

Then a friend told be about the VAX-D treatment center in Tustin California. I decided to begin treatment on January 2, 2001. After only 4 or 5 treatments I began to feel much better. The pain in my legs was gone for the first time in 6 months.

I have now had 24 treatments and am happy to say that I am totally pain free. I highly recommend anyone with similar conditions to at least try VAX-D. It has definitely worked for me. I am grateful to have found a non-surgical remedy for my condition.

Sincerely,
Kathe Currie

Sara Draper
P.T. Physical Therapist
Dallas, Texas

There are not words adequate to express my appreciation and gratitude for the kindness, encouragement and support shown me during my 6 weeks of treatments, not to mention the pain relief and benefits of the VAX-D treatments. I consider these treatments/therapy a Miracle drug with a capital M. My primary care doctor and the surgeon to whom she sent me both recommended surgery and saw that as the only way to go.

I am a physical therapist with 37 years of clinical practice and have seen my share of failed back surgeries and opted to search out and try all alternatives before submitting to surgery. By the grace of God, I learned about, the far too little known, VAX-D treatments.

My pain level was at a 10+ and I was taking maximum doses of prescription strength pain medication. I virtually crawled into the VAX-D Center in the hope of even minimal relief. I drove ~75 miles round trip daily for 6 weeks in order to receive the treatments. Neither the drive nor the treatments were comfortable at first but well worth the final results. I have done the recommended exercises and followed all the lifting restrictions faithfully and will continue to do so; being a therapist myself I realize the importance of maintenance and realize the potential for re-injury as I return to work at this time.

My pain now at the end of 6 weeks of treatment with VAX-D is generally at 0; occasionally at 0.5 to 1 and I only occasionally need as much as 1 extra-strength Tylenol. You can imagine how grateful I am to have avoided surgery and be able to get on with my life.

I have and will continue to sing the praises and recommend this treatment to as many people as possible as I know others can benefit from this therapy as it hopefully become more widely known.

Sara Draper

John Flynn
Real CPA
Phoenix

I have degenerative disc disease. I have three herniated discs in my lower back. I was diagnosed after an MRI about a year ago. I had back pain for several years that was getting progressively worse. The diagnosis only confirmed what I suspected. I had chiropractic care for a while, but that became less effective as my discs degenerated. I tried physical therapy. That also helped for a while, but then became less effective. I had shots in my lower back, but they were ineffective.

I consulted with a neurosurgeon's assistant, but my condition was not bad enough to warrant the risks associated with surgery. It was bad enough to cause daily pain, however. The pain was at its worst after I had played a round of golf. The twisting and bending motion of the golf swing puts tremendous pressure on the lower back.

Two chiropractors, two physical therapists and one M.D. had suggested that I should stop playing golf. That was not an option for me as the game is one of my strong passions in life. I was determined to continue to work toward finding relief from my back pain and continuing to enjoy playing golf. I researched degenerative disc disease on the Internet and VAX-D Medical Centers' web site came up in my search engine. It looked interesting.

The concept of the treatment is logical - discs compress with degenerative disc disease, so decompressing the discs should provide relief. I made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon and asked him about VAX-D Medical Centers. He had not heard of it. He said he wasn't sure if it would help, but thought that it could not harm me. I have a friend who is a neurosurgeon. He had also not heard of VAX-D, but as a favor to me, did a little reading and told me the same thing - it may not help, but it couldn't hurt.

I had 25 treatments over the course of two months. I took 12 treatments before I noticed any improvement, but my condition improved steadily after that. After the 25th treatment, I felt better than I had in years!

Sincerely,
John Flynn

Robin Linck
Real Estate Sales
Cave Creek, Arizona

The pain that I was enduring was the most excruciating I have ever known. I could not stand or walk, and there was absolutely no relief! I could not enjoy my family or play with my kids and I was faced with a very successful real estate career coming to an end.

My doctor suspected a ruptured disc and the MRI confirmed it. I was quickly referred to a neurosurgeon because of loss of reflex in my leg and concerns of permanent nerve damage. "No way out but surgery", I was told. "What are the risks?", I asked. "Typical surgical risks: Death, Coma, Paralysis and Infection!" came the reply.

I resigned myself to the risks if it meant an end to the pain. But at the 11th hour a nurse friend contacted us, having heard of a wonderful new treatment called VAX-D. I couldn't possibly have been more skeptical, but considering the alternative, I decided to aggressively do the therapy for 2 weeks . . .

It worked! No fooling, I am pain free and back to work. I am in a maintenance phase of the treatment and the wonderful therapists at VAX-D Medical Centers are assisting me in the exercises that I need to do to avoid this kind of injury in the future. Thank you, Lord, for VAX-D!

Sincerely,
Robin Linck

Linda Peterson
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Before VAX-D, I had spent six months in a back brace that I needed special clothes for. I had a lot of difficulty walking, because of my back pain, and as a result, I had to give up a lot of activities. I was told by my physician that the only option that I had to get rid of my back pain was surgery.

I then started VAX-D treatments at the VAX-D Center in Pittsburgh. I had twenty session for about a month, following all of their instructions religiously in order to get the best results of the procedure.

I am happy to say that it has been over a year since I completed VAX-D, and my back pain is still gone. I feel like a normal person again, as I can now walk my dog, get up after a train ride as well as out of bed every morning without any pain.

Even with these results, I remain realistic in that I know I am no longer 20 years old and cannot partake in everything that I once did. Nonetheless, VAX-D has taken away the fear that I once had of performing my everyday activities. Simply put, it gave me my life back!

Sincerely,
Linda Peterson

Jan Robinette
Palm Desert, California

Thank you for VAX-D. It enabled me to get my life back! Twice! I am now working with VAX-D patients after 10+ years of not being able to work.

In 1987 I herniated 2 discs. In 1989 I had a bi-level laminectomy and discectomy at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The first words I heard after the surgery were, "You will probably require more surgery". I had relief until mid 1991. Then the same symptomatology as pre-surgery returned. I was classified as "Failed Back Syndrome". In 1994 I was told that the only way I would ever get any relief was to have my lumbar area cleaned up to have a fusion with rods and screws.

I did not want another surgery as I am very much into alternative medicine. In October of 1995, I found VAX-D! I had 45 treatment session over 7 weeks. I was quote - "a challenge". I had remarkable results! I got the feeling back in my left leg and foot, and the back pain was gone. I was able to take classes to become a massage therapist. Because I live 130 miles from the VAX-D facility, and my insurance company failed to see the importance of my maintenance treatment sessions, I got to where I was homebound again because of the pain. I was back were I was. Not a good feeling or place to be - because I knew there was relief with VAX-D.

On September 10, 1997, I began VAX-D Therapy at a new VAX-D center nearby. Again, I had remarkable results at a much faster rate than the first series. My pinched nerve was released during the 12th session versus the 24th previously. In March, I began working at the VAX-D Clinic operating the VAX-D Table! I find it very rewarding to see other people experience relief from their pain and know they are able to enjoy life without surgery. It is my goal to help more people experience this same relief from pain. Thank you again. I am most grateful to have my life back !!!

Sincerely,
Jan Robinette

Dominic Scaglione
St. Louis Missouri

"The pain got so intense I had to go to the hospital," says Dominic Scaglione, a St. Louis resident and recent patient at the Back Pain Institute of St. Louis. "I had severe low back pain, pain shooting down my left leg and I had a difficult time walking because I couldn't control my left foot, the doctors called it foot drop."

Everyone has experienced pain in their lives. But when one's back and leg hurts, it can affect his or her entire body. This was the case with Dominic. Poor posture, lack of exercise and overexertion caused Dominic's condition.

"I had a herniation in my L4/L5 disc and a degenerated disc at L5/S1, "says Dominic. The MRI showed that the disc was pushing on my spinal cord and that caused the back pain and foot drop."

After Dominic's visit to the hospital, they wanted him to undergo surgery right away. His neurosurgeon told him he had one of the worst herniated disc cases he had ever seen and there was