Computerized VAX-D’s powerful vacuum unmatched for taming spinal pain

Ever since he was a teen, Brian Hinkley has wanted to help people. As an adult, he got his wish. He became a patient services liaison for a hospital’s behavioral health center. 

“I help people who are hurting and broken,” acknowledges Brian, 47. “Mine is one of the first faces the patients see when they come in. They’re in a psychiatric crisis, so they’re extremely emotional. 

“Our center’s treatment program is very structured. Patients attend groups throughout the day. They also engage in activities that stimulate their mind and their senses, which gets their mind off their crises. 

“And for me, there’s no greater feeling than the one I get when I’ve successfully seen someone through their problems and they’re no longer depressed, suicidal or in crisis. I don’t think there’s any greater endeavor than helping somebody change their forever. 

“And that’s what I get to do. My favorite word is encourage because it literally means to put courage into people. I get to encourage and help people, and I love it. This work is more than a job for me. It’s a calling.” 

Once a month, Brian puts on his instructor hat. He and a co-worker teach other hospital employees how to handle difficult situations with patients who are highly emotional and “acting out.” 

“We teach non-violent crisis prevention intervention, or CPI,” Brian elaborates. “We give the staff all the tools they need to successfully deescalate a situation and keep patients safe at all times.” 

 Last October, a situation outside of work endangered Brian and his girlfriend. 

“We had driven to Lakewood Ranch, which is about five or six miles from my house, to a pizza buffet,” Brian recounts. “On our way home, we were driving through an intersection that’s only a couple of blocks from my house. 

“The next thing I know, there’s a car right in front of us. It flew through a red light and hit us head-on. It was very scary. Seven airbags exploded, and in my head I thought, This is it. I’m going to die.” 

Brian and his girlfriend survived that crash, but Brian suffered a neck injury that began to affect him almost immediately and soon became chronic. 

“It was like my neck took the entire impact of the crash,” Brian laments. “There was constant stiffness in my neck. I couldn’t turn it freely to the left or right. It was locked up. When I looked over my shoulder to see my blind spot while driving, I’d feel extreme pain in my neck. It was definitely a nine or 10 on a scale of one to 10. I was constantly popping pain pills, especially to sleep at night. The pain was unbearable. 

 “Then I remembered my ex-wife telling me about VAX-D^® therapy and how successful it is at relieving back and neck pain.” 

His ex-wife previously worked for Craig S. Aderholdt, DC, the founder of Back Pain Institute of West Florida and one of the few providers in the country to offer VAX-D, or vertebral axial decompression, a patented, FDA-approved technique for alleviating spinal disc pressure. 

“I knew I had to do something to get rid of my neck pain because medication wasn’t going to do it,” Brian says. “It was either surgery or VAX-D, and to me the solution was simple. VAX-D therapy was what I needed.” 

So, he made an appointment with Dr. Aderholdt. 

Powerful Vacuum 

During their initial meeting, the doctor ordered an MRI that revealed a herniated disc and several bulging discs in Brian’s cervical spine. 

Those disc issues were causing Brian “a great deal of pain,” according to Dr. Aderholdt, who recommended VAX-D therapy to treat the problem. 

“Chiropractic adjustments alone can relieve the pain for many patients,” Dr. Aderholdt asserts. “However, for select people with conditions such as sciatica or herniated, bulging or degenerated discs, VAX-D therapy has proven extremely successful.” 

Dr. Aderholdt emphasizes that VAX-D is not a traction device. It works differently and achieves substantially better results in patients with low back and neck pain. It also helps with numbness, tingling and pain that radiates down the arms and legs. 

During a typical session, the patient relaxes on a comfortable, computer-controlled table, and is secured by a pelvic belt or patented cervical collar, depending on the area being treated. 

Carefully specified tension and pressure changes guide the use of VAX-D, allowing the therapist to focus decompression at the levels of dysfunction. The computer program enables the table to make subtle but targeted movements that create a powerful vacuum within the disc space. This vacuum gently draws the disc back to its proper orientation, pulling in nutrient-rich spinal fluid and stimulating repair cells that effectively mend the disc. 

“No other treatment can create such a powerful vacuum,” Dr. Aderholdt contends. “There are imitators, but VAX-D’s vacuum effect is the most powerful. That is what makes VAX-D such a valuable tool for pain relief. Further, VAX-D doesn’t allow the muscles to contract the way other machines can. In fact, it is the only nonsurgical treatment that has been clinically proven to reduce disc pressure to negative levels. 

“In my opinion, VAX-D is one of the most effective nonsurgical medical treatments for low back pain, neck pain and sciatica. This innovative technology is one more tool I can offer patients as we work toward relieving pain and maintaining the health of the lumbar and cervical spine.” 

Studies show that VAX-D has been effective in treating more than 88 percent of patients, Dr. Aderholdt professes. Many patients report a significant reduction in their back or neck pain after only a few treatments. Dr. Aderholdt stresses, however, that actual healing takes longer because repositioning bulging or herniated discs requires a full series of sessions. 

“Some patients think they will get relief after a handful of sessions and they can just quit, but that’s not the case,” he maintains. “Patients must follow through with all of the required treatments to get the full benefit.” 

Another advantage of VAX-D is that it can eliminate the need for surgery. 

“Many patients with severe back or neck pain, including Brian, want to avoid surgery, and that is something VAX-D allows them to do,” Dr. Aderholdt notes. “With surgery, there is the potential for serious complications, including bleeding and infection. Because VAX-D is noninvasive, those complications are avoided.” 

“Like a Miracle” 

Brian is about halfway through his VAX-D protocol. Like many patients, he noticed a significant decrease in his pain early in his therapy. 

“After the third week, or the ninth treatment, I looked at Dr. Aderholdt and his staff and said, I can’t believe how good I feel. This is like a miracle,” Brian enthuses. “My pain now is a three or four, and it’s continuing to get better. It’s night and day compared to how I felt when I first came to see Dr. Aderholdt. 

“And thankfully, I don’t have to take painkillers anymore. In fact, within the second week of going to Back Pain Institute of West Florida, I stopped taking pain medication. And I’m sleeping better than I was before starting this treatment.” 

Brian heard good things about Dr. Aderholdt from his ex-wife. Then he experienced the pain specialist’s expertise and compassion firsthand. 

“Dr. Aderholdt is fabulous. I give him five stars,” Brian raves. “He has a real gift. He’s a man of honesty and integrity. He treats everybody the way you want yourself or your family members to be treated. He gives it his all and goes above and beyond to make sure you’re OK. He’s passionate about what he does, and he’s in this to heal people. 

“Just like me working in a behavioral health clinic, Dr. Aderholdt is called to do this work. It’s refreshing to meet a doctor who really is concerned about helping people. I highly recommend him, and I would recommend VAX-D therapy to anybody in pain.” ■ 

BY PATTI DIPANFILO
Florida Health Care News
patti.dipanfilo@ifoundmydoctor.com