2. Abstract
Effective non-surgical decompression of the nerve root has not been available to this date. The vertebral axial decompression (VAX-D) therapeutic table has demonstrated an ability to significantly reduce intradiscal pressure to a negative 150mm Hg., allowing for disc decompression. The purpose of this study was to determine if VAX-D therapy could externally decompress the nerve root. Patients with radiculopathy and abnormal sensory function determined by the Current Perception Threshold (CPT) Neurometer who had received VAX-D therapy were retrospectively studied. CPT readings on 22 peripheral nerves were taken before and after VAX-D therapy. Only patients with initial abnormal CPT readings, symptoms of sciatica, positive SLR, and positive imaging studies were reported on. The results after therapy were as follows: 14/22 nerves (64%) returned to normal function, 6/22 (27%) improved, 1/22 (4.5%) had no improvement and 1/22 (4.5%) showed deterioration.