IDD Therapy Treatment is for herniated discs, slipped disc and sciatica. The physiotherapy & osteopathy team provide IDD Therapy for disc-related issues including back pain, neck pain and sciatica for patients in Gloucestershire.

When you need more than manual therapy for a herniated or bulging disc, we offer IDD Therapy.

 

A lot of patients come to see us with back pain and neck pain.  Nearly all the problems our patients come for help with can be resolved, often quite simply, with a variety of manual therapy and exercise techniques.

 

However, for some patients hands on treatment on its own is not enough to resolve the problem.  This is particularly the case with certain spinal disc issues like a bulging or herniated disc as well as sciatica and nerve pain in the arms.  

What is IDD Therapy?

 

IDD stands for Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy, or more simply IDD Therapy for short.   Developed in the USA in the late 1990s, IDD Therapy is a targeted treatment which relieves pressure on specific spinal discs and gently restores mobility.  We have an IDD Therapy machine (Accu SPINA) which patients lie on as part of the treatment.  It is computer controlled and perfectly comfortable.  

 

By decompressing (taking pressure off) an injured or bulging/herniated disc and stretching the soft tissues, we can improve mobility in the spine and allow the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate more efficiently.  In so doing, we aim to relieve pain caused by muscle spasm and alleviate nerve compression and irritation caused by bulging discs.

IDD Therapy with the Accu SPINA machine

 

As clinicians, we can treat most back and neck pain with manual therapies but for some conditions - particularly those which are disc-related - patients need something more to help their condition improve. 

 

Why choose IDD Therapy?

 

• Current treatment is not working

• Want to stop taking painkillers

• Seeking long-term pain relief

• Want to return to normal daily activities

 

Typical candidates for IDD Therapy are people who have back or neck pain and may have tried various other treatments without success.  They may be taking pain medication and may be considering invasive treatments such as injections or in extreme cases, surgery.

 

Stephen Haynes Clinic Owner & Osteopath

 

“We see a lot of spine issues at the clinic.  When it comes to certain disc-related problems which refuse to budge,

there is nothing more frustrating for a clinician than knowing what is causing a patient’s pain and not being able

to do that little bit more to help them on the road to recovery. 

 

IDD Therapy gives us that edge to do more than we can achieve with our hands alone as part of a programme of care.”

 

David Ede MSc BSc (Hons) Chartered Physiotherapist

 

“IDD Therapy gives physiotherapists a precise tool to help people with spinal disc problems which up to now, we have

tended to have to refer for pain management or even surgery.

 

In the past physios have used different mechanical tools, notably “traction” to try to alleviate back pain.  The big failing

with traction was that it was unable to precisely target and treat a specific injured spinal segment.  With IDD Therapy,

we can do that and this increases the scope of what we can for disc patients coming to see us.”  

 

If you are suffering with back pain, neck pain or sciatica, our combined osteopathy and physiotherapy team are here to

help you.  If you are interested to see whether IDD Therapy would be suitable for you, come and see us in a first instance

and we can take you through your options for treatment.

 

To book an assessment call the clinic on 01285 643080 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is treatment?

 

Each IDD treatment lasts for one hour. Sessions begin with 10 minutes of heat therapy using TherMedic to warm the tissues and get blood flow into the injured area. You then have IDD Therapy which lasts for 25 minutes on the SPINA machine. Afterwards we give you 10 minutes cold therapy.  This is just to calm the treated area before you go home. You remain comfortable throughout.

 

How much is treatment?

 

Each session lasts for one hour and is billed at £70.

 

How many treatments will I need?

 

This is an important question and one which the team will discuss with you. It really does depend on the duration and severity of your condition.  People with mild back pain may experience symptomatic relief within a few sessions, but for long term problems, most patients will need a course of treatment. 

 

A typical course will be 10 sessions over a 4 to 5 week period.  For patients with serious spine issues who are facing surgery, the original protocol is based around an intensive course of 20 treatments. 

 

Why do I need a course of treatments?

 

When patients have back pain or neck pain for some time, spinal segments become stiff and immobile. The discs in the spine rely on movement for their hydration and nutrition. To undo the compression and immobility of an injured disc, IDD Therapy uses computer-controlled pulling forces to open the spinal segment and then mobilise it. To do this we have to use comparatively higher forces than can't be achieved with manual therapy. And we need to progressively increase the pulling forces to achieve the goals.

 

So rather like exercising requires more than one session for the body to adapt and become fitter/stronger, addressing the causes of back pain means the body has to gently adapt to treatment.  This simply cannot be achieved overnight or in just a couple of sessions, hence the requirement to have a course of treatment.

 

We would all like a simple solution but the reality is, chronic back pain takes time.

 

Should I bring an MRI?

 

If you have an MRI, bring one with you.  The MRI helps us to confirm the spinal level we wish to treat and also the nature of the disc problem.  That will help us get a picture of the protocol which will give us the best chance for success. 

 

If you don’t have an MRI, we can discuss this with you and arrange one where appropriate.

 

Do I need to get undressed?

 

No, you remain fully clothed throughout. You can wear normal clothes, so long as they are comfortable.  Ladies should wear trousers, leggings or loose fitting tracksuit.  

 

Is IDD Therapy painful?

 

No. The treatment is intended to be comfortable. Whilst considerable pulling forces are used, they are delivered in a way that the body is comfortable.  Much better than the traction machines of old. Many patients go to sleep because the treatment is relaxing. A by product of treatment is the release of endorphins so treatment feels good.

 

What about exercise?

 

We will guide you on which exercises are suitable. Initially we don’t want you to exercise because the body is getting used to the treatment, then there are some simple exercises. Nothing too strenuous and we don’t just send you on your way with a sheet of exercises!

 

Will a spinal injection help my pain?

 

Spinal injections are given to help ease inflammation which is a cause of pain. They are intended to create a window for rehabilitation. An injection is not intended to address the problems of compression of discs or stiffness in the spine. Spinal injections are not a long term solution for most patients.

 

I have had surgery, can I still have IDD Therapy?

 

Patients who have had surgery can opt for IDD Therapy. The two criteria are that the surgery was carried out 6 months ago and that there are no implants in the spine. Talk to the team if you would like to discuss your spinal history. 

 

How may treatments have been carried out in the UK?

 

Between 2010 and 2015 over 37,000 treatments have been carried out in the UK alone and IDD Therapy is the first choice non-invasive disc treatment when manual therapy is not working, in areas where it is available. There are over 1,000 clinics internationally providing IDD Therapy, including surgeons, physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors.

 

Want to know more?

 

Make an appointment to see one of the Active Therapy Team.  We will assess your condition and give you a good understanding of whether IDD Therapy is suitable for you.  

 

To book an appointment call us 01285 643080

 

IDD Therapy treatment is one treatment tool we use and as part of your assessment we will advise you on the most applicable treatment for your individual needs.

 

We look forward to seeing you.

 

Get your life back on track with IDD Therapy.