VAX-D and MEDX treatments for chronic back pain

I do not suggest that the VAX-D and MEDX devices have no worth. I advocate searching out treatment that is most valuable for your condition. My argument is that these devices have not established themselves in the scientific literature as either necessary or helpful in the rehabilitation of chronic back pain.

Before I continue, I must suggest that most treatments for chronic back pain (outside meds) haven't been established in the scientific literature. I am optimistic that qualified professionals are your best source of information and treatment.

VAX-D:
The 1994 study of Ramos and Martin (1) looked at only 5 patients and concluded that intradiscal pressure decreased during the treatment period. No conclusions are made on the effects of the treatment on chronic back pain.
The 1998 Gose and colleagues study (2)was an uncontrolled case series of 778 patients. It reports improvements in pain, mobility and activity in the majority of patients. But the study had no control group, patient selection and identification was not identified, and methods of data collection was not presented. Conclusions are not drawn on the effects of VAX-D vs. any other intervention.
Nothing in these studies can suggest that VAX-D works better than anything or no other thing you might try.

MEDX:
The Bronfort G. et al study showed that an exercise regimine as could be provided by the MEDX device is more beneficial than spinal manipulation alone. It does not conclude that the MEDX device is requisite in establishing the exercise regimine. Several other references listed in support of MEDX appear rather to be in support of flexion-extension lumbar rehabilitation. I am confident that conclusions aren't drawn in these articles supporting the MEDX exercise device over any other means of spinal rehabilitation.

There can be much done to improve and treat chronic back pain. Paying extra to be strapped to a rack (VAX-D) or for a fancy exercise device (MEDX) doesn't appear to be money well-spent. Candidly, I've seen them used more of an excuse for a therapist to do more (and charge more) while actually doing less.

1. Ramos G, Martin W. Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg. 1994 Sep;81(3):350-3. PMID: 8057141 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
2. Gose EE, Naguszewski WK, Naguszewski RK. Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome> study. Neurol Res. 1998 Apr;20(3):186-90. PMID: 9583577 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
3. Bronfort G, Evans R, Nelson B, Aker PD, Goldsmith CH, Vernon H. A randomized clinical trial of exercise and spinal manipulation for patients with chronic neck pain. Spine. 2001 Apr 1;26(7):788-97; discussion 798-9. PMID: 11295901 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]