TREATMENT PROTOCOL FOR SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY
At The Halton Spinal Decompression Centre, we try to provide treatment options that meet your needs for back pain relief, accommodates your schedule, and finances. Patients have three treatment options to choose from.
For optimum results – a full 20 treatment sessions is recommended.
- Each patient participates in 20 treatment sessions, Monday to Friday (five days), for four weeks, or four days per week for five weeks. If you travel for work, and are occasionally away, we will work with your schedule, and you will still receive 20 treatments sessions, as close together as possible.
- Patients are recommended to restrict some activities during treatment and afterwards for 1-4 weeks. There are exceptions to this recommendation. If you participate in an activity like going to the gym, and you find that it does not increase your back pain or cervical spine pain, we would likely allow you to continue on a modified basis. Some activities such as heavy lifting, or prolonged sitting or bending, are not recommended during the treatment process.
- The daily treatment procedure is supervised by a Registered Physiotherapist and involves a review of patient status, heat, Spinal Decompression Therapy, and modalities to reduce pain.
- If you are having difficulty progressing with Spinal Decompression Therapy, and the physiotherapist feels you require some hands on manual therapy treatment, this will be provided to you during your treatment.
- If you are showing good improvement, an exercise program (usually given to you at the end of 20 treatment sessions) will be started with you early.
- If you are progressing, but slowly, you can decide with your physiotherapist to continue Spinal Decompression Therapy for another 5-10 sessions. Occasionally, more difficult cases require 25-30 treatment sessions for maximal improvement.
- The total time for treatment each session is approximately one hour.
Treatment on a more occasional basis
- If you feel that you cannot commit to 20 sessions, 4-5 days per week, or that it would be a financial burden, and you still would like to try Spinal Decompression Therapy, you can commit to one treatment at a time. This will allow you to monitor your cervical spine or back pain relief. You can decide with your physiotherapist how many treatments you would like to participate in.
- If you have previously participated in Spinal Decompression Therapy at our facility, or at another facility, and have done something to re-aggravate your back pain or cervical spine pain, you may want to have just a few Spinal Decompression Therapy sessions, to get you back on track. We would be happy to provide this service.
Half Sessions
- If you feel that your back pain or cervical spine pain is quite irritable or sensitive, or that financially you can only commit to half sessions, we can provide you with 15 minute spinal decompression treatment sessions, with heat to start for 10 minutes, and ice to finish. You can decide with the aide of your physiotherapist how many treatment sessions you would like to attend.
Our treatment protocol for cervical spine or back pain relief
Prior to starting treatment, patients must complete the following:
- Attend a detailed assessment to ensure they are a candidate for decompression (This assessment is complimentary).
- Have had a recent X-ray and preferably (but not required) an MRI or CT Scan report available to review prior to starting treatment. We require the paper copy of the report, NOT the actual films or computer disc. This is to ensure that you have no contra-indications, and are safe to proceed with Spinal Decompression Therapy.
Follow Up Care
- After completion of 20 treatment sessions, you will attend a follow up visit at the clinic one week after the 4 week protocol is completed.
- You may also receive a follow up phone call, or survey by mail, within the year, to allow us to continually evaluate treatment effectiveness of spinal decompression therapy.
On the final visit, the following is completed:
- A reassessment to evaluate mobility/flexibility, muscle imbalance, strength and stability for return to normal activities.
- A review of patient goals for return to work, leisure, and sports.
- A basic exercise program and education on how to care for your low back.
- Patients may decide to perform the recommended exercise and stretching program at home independently and ease back into regular activity on their own.
- Patients may want more individualized post spinal decompression care, so can also opt to work with their physiotherapist or an on-site trainer once or twice a week for up to 4-6 weeks. The physiotherapist or trainer will be able to provide further assistance with any preparation or specific training for return to work, sport or home life.
Coverage and Payment
You may be eligible for coverage through one of the following:
- Extended health insurance through your workplace
- A registered physiotherapist is caring for you at the Halton Spinal Decompression Centre, so check your physiotherapy coverage – Spinal Decompression Therapy is invoiced as a physiotherapy service.
- Motor vehicle insurance –you are welcome to speak to your adjustor regarding Spinal Decompression Therapy, and come for an assessment. Your physiotherapist will then fill out the proper paperwork and submit this to your motor vehicle insurance company for approval.
- WSIB – to date, WSIB has not covered Spinal Decompression Therapy, however, their policies are always being adjusted, so if you like, call and speak to your adjudicator to discuss coverage for Spinal Decompression Therapy.
- Long Term Disability – Some Long term disability consultants will recommend Spinal Decompression Therapy, so call and speak to your consultant regarding treatment.
Fees and Payments
Spinal Decompression Therapy at the Halton Spinal Decompression Centre is a private service and is not funded by OHIP. Patients may pay for services privately using cash, cheque, interact, Mastercard, or Visa.
If you are accessing your extended health benefits for physiotherapy services, ask our staff if your insurance company allows direct billing, and if they do, we would be happy to arrange that for you.
Option One
20 treatment sessions (3-5 days per week) – $150.00 per session. Payment is expected at the end of every week.
Option Two
Occasional treatment sessions: $150.00 per treatment. Payment is expected at the end of every treatment session.
Option Three
Half Sessions: $75.00 per 15 minute Spinal Decompression Therapy Session. Payment is expected at the end of every treatment session.
Option Four
Post Spinal Decompression Care: $62.00 per session (regular physiotherapy visit). Payment is expected at the end of every two week invoicing period.