New York City Chiropractor uses the exclusive DRX 9000
www.drshoshany.com
I am sure by now anyone that is in the market for Spinal decompression treatment or someone with a herniated disc has gotten a "free report" these are usually ran in local papers. In my opinion they are low class and very cheesy!
I practice in Manhattan and patients are sophisticated and classy. When they get the 5 pages free report it is insulting their intelligence!
Below I am attaching a recent press release by the Oregon State board of examiners.
I am glad that I never used the free report or ever told patients that NASA invented this technique! Doctors that utulize this technique are going to feel the pain from the state boards.
DRX 9000 is a exellent decompression machine the results are fantastic, but it was NOT invented by NASA and it is not endorsed by them.
If you are in the Metro New York city area and are looking for a reputable Doctor of Chiropractic that provides ethical spinal decompression treatment visit my site at www.drshoshany.com or our new partner site
www.herniateddisccenter.com
Oregon Chiropractic Board Issues Press
Release on:
"NASA Medical
Breakthrough"
Advertising Claim
X)regon
Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 150
covcmor Salem, Oregon 97302-6311
(503)378-5816
FAX (503) 362-1260
E-mail: OreEon.obce^state.or.us
Web: egov.oregQn.flov/OBCE
Press Release For Immediate Release
November 17, 2006
Chiropractic Board Questions
"NASA Medical Breakthrough" Advertising Claims
The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners (OBCE) is questioning "NASA Medical
Breakthrough" advertising claims promoting use of spinal decompression devices and requesting
information,* A typical claim is that an "Accidental Discovery by NASA m Outer Space Quickly
and Easily Solves 86% of Back Pain.., Astronauts that left with back pain would come back
•without it. So NASA did what they are good at...they investigated this new phenomenon."
Another version reads as followss
"NASA was the first to investigate the effects of spinal decompression on vertebral discs,
NASA found during the anti-gravity state of the space travel mission, astronauts were
relieved of back pain, NASA found disc height was increased during a space mission.
Scientists started looking at "decompression" as a way to help chronic back pain
sufferers and the results were overwhelmingly positive in many patients. "
Information obtained by the OBCE casts doubt on the validity of these advertising
claims. One study published m Psychosomatic Medicine in 2001 states, "Back Pain is one of the
most frequently occurring medical problems during space flight It has been reported by 68% of
astronauts."1 Another 2001 article in the same journal states, "astronauts grow taller in space,
and stretching of the spinal nerve roots can lead to back pain,"2 A 2004 article in Aviation Space
Environmental Medicine states, "Lengthening of the vertebral column and associated lumbar
back pain experienced by astronauts is common in microgravity,"3 A paper titled "Advanced
Trauma Life Support for the Injured Astronaut" states. "... back pain is common upon return to
gravity and may confound physical examination of a possible spine injury,"4
The OBCE notes that nowhere in the various "Free Reports" that are provided by some
chiropractors using this marketing plan is there documentation of any NASA studies or reports.
The Board has written to Axiom Worldwide Inc. in Tampa Florida, vendor of the DRX 9000
device, asking for information which supports these claims. Axiom packages the "Free Report"
marketing plan along with their units. Axiom has not responded to this request.
The OBCE has also asked Western States Chiropractic College and the Foundation for
Chiropractic Research and Education if there is any support for these claims. The QBCE is
requesting anv information either supportive or non-supportive as regards any "NASA Medical
Breakthrough" and spinal decompression.
Oregon law states chiropractors may not "use any advertising making untruthful,
improper, misleading or deceptive statements," (ORS 684.100 (l)(j)) The OBCE's policy is that
advertising statements must be supported by credible eviden.ce which must be available for
review upon request.
Previously the OBCE has informed chiropractors that the 86% success rate claim violates
the administrative rule which prohibits any advertising which "contains statistical or other
assertions of predicted rates of success of treatment,,." (OAR 811 -015-0045)
According to OBCE Executive Director Dave McTeague, "The Board is concerned about
high pressure marketing to potential patients using questionable claims.
The typical treatment protocol calls for twenty treatments over a six-week course of therapy.5
Add to that the financial pressures of purchasing a DRX 9000 type device (upwards of 65,000 to
$125,000, Used 2005 model on Ebay for $65,000) and there may be other motives for the
treatment program than optimal patient care."6
1. "Depression, Mood State, and Back Pain During Microgravity Simulated by Bed Rest,"
Styf, Hutchinson et al, Psychosomatic Medicine 63:862-864 (2001)
2. "Physical and Psychological Challenges of Space Travel: An Overview," Ziegler,
Psychosomatic Medicine 63:859-861 (2001)
3, "Back pain during 6 degrees head-down tilt approximates that during actual microgravity,"
Hutchinson, Watenpaugh, Converting Hargens; Aviation Space Environmental Medicine,
March 1995.
4. "Advanced Trauma Life Support for the Injured Astronaut," Third Edition, Cheatham.,
Department of Surgical Education, Orlando Regional Medical Center.
5. "Medical Treatment Protocol," DRX9000 Operator's Manual, Axiom Worldwide, Page 35.
6. "A popular machine to relieve back pain has the support of some doctors and patients, but
not Medicare and the insurance industry." Kris Hundley, St. Petersburg Florida Times, July
17,2006. httD://www.sDtimes.com/2006/07/17/Business/Insurers back off.shtml
7. Anesthesia & Pain Coder's Pink Sheet Special Investigative Report (December 2005)
http://www.uca.com/images/APPQ5l2 SpecialReport QQl.pdf
*The OBCE has made no conclusions about the efficacy of spinal decompression. The OBCE
takes issue with the advertising claims of these devices.
(30)
For more information., contact OBCE Dave McTeague, Executive Director
Oregon £ne. am
c
State chiropractic board warns of questionable ads for device
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The Oregonian
The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Is cracking down on ads that tout a spinal traction device as a
"NASA medical breakthrough," with seemingly no evidence to back that claim.
Chiropractors nationwide have been advertising the DRX 9000 device as a back-pain treatment that is
derived from space research and is 86 percent successful. In Oregon, between six and 12 chiropractors
have run these ads, estimated Dave MeTeague, the board's executive director.
The board issued a warning Friday saying it could find no NASA studies or reports about this device or a
similar one. In fact, several studies show that the low gravity in space lengthens astronauts' spines and
causes back pain. Board rules also prohibit advertising success rates.
"The board is concerned about high-pressure marketing to potential patients using questionable claims,"
the warning said,
McTeague said the warning covers only advertising. The board has not taken an official opinion on the
treatment itself.
- Andy Dworkin
I am sure by now anyone that is in the market for Spinal decompression treatment or someone with a herniated disc has gotten a "free report" these are usually ran in local papers. In my opinion they are low class and very cheesy!
I practice in Manhattan and patients are sophisticated and classy. When they get the 5 pages free report it is insulting their intelligence!
Below I am attaching a recent press release by the Oregon State board of examiners.
I am glad that I never used the free report or ever told patients that NASA invented this technique! Doctors that utulize this technique are going to feel the pain from the state boards.
DRX 9000 is a exellent decompression machine the results are fantastic, but it was NOT invented by NASA and it is not endorsed by them.
If you are in the Metro New York city area and are looking for a reputable Doctor of Chiropractic that provides ethical spinal decompression treatment visit my site at www.drshoshany.com or our new partner site
www.herniateddisccenter.com
Oregon Chiropractic Board Issues Press
Release on:
"NASA Medical
Breakthrough"
Advertising Claim
X)regon
Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
3218 Pringle Road SE, Suite 150
covcmor Salem, Oregon 97302-6311
(503)378-5816
FAX (503) 362-1260
E-mail: OreEon.obce^state.or.us
Web: egov.oregQn.flov/OBCE
Press Release For Immediate Release
November 17, 2006
Chiropractic Board Questions
"NASA Medical Breakthrough" Advertising Claims
The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners (OBCE) is questioning "NASA Medical
Breakthrough" advertising claims promoting use of spinal decompression devices and requesting
information,* A typical claim is that an "Accidental Discovery by NASA m Outer Space Quickly
and Easily Solves 86% of Back Pain.., Astronauts that left with back pain would come back
•without it. So NASA did what they are good at...they investigated this new phenomenon."
Another version reads as followss
"NASA was the first to investigate the effects of spinal decompression on vertebral discs,
NASA found during the anti-gravity state of the space travel mission, astronauts were
relieved of back pain, NASA found disc height was increased during a space mission.
Scientists started looking at "decompression" as a way to help chronic back pain
sufferers and the results were overwhelmingly positive in many patients. "
Information obtained by the OBCE casts doubt on the validity of these advertising
claims. One study published m Psychosomatic Medicine in 2001 states, "Back Pain is one of the
most frequently occurring medical problems during space flight It has been reported by 68% of
astronauts."1 Another 2001 article in the same journal states, "astronauts grow taller in space,
and stretching of the spinal nerve roots can lead to back pain,"2 A 2004 article in Aviation Space
Environmental Medicine states, "Lengthening of the vertebral column and associated lumbar
back pain experienced by astronauts is common in microgravity,"3 A paper titled "Advanced
Trauma Life Support for the Injured Astronaut" states. "... back pain is common upon return to
gravity and may confound physical examination of a possible spine injury,"4
The OBCE notes that nowhere in the various "Free Reports" that are provided by some
chiropractors using this marketing plan is there documentation of any NASA studies or reports.
The Board has written to Axiom Worldwide Inc. in Tampa Florida, vendor of the DRX 9000
device, asking for information which supports these claims. Axiom packages the "Free Report"
marketing plan along with their units. Axiom has not responded to this request.
The OBCE has also asked Western States Chiropractic College and the Foundation for
Chiropractic Research and Education if there is any support for these claims. The QBCE is
requesting anv information either supportive or non-supportive as regards any "NASA Medical
Breakthrough" and spinal decompression.
Oregon law states chiropractors may not "use any advertising making untruthful,
improper, misleading or deceptive statements," (ORS 684.100 (l)(j)) The OBCE's policy is that
advertising statements must be supported by credible eviden.ce which must be available for
review upon request.
Previously the OBCE has informed chiropractors that the 86% success rate claim violates
the administrative rule which prohibits any advertising which "contains statistical or other
assertions of predicted rates of success of treatment,,." (OAR 811 -015-0045)
According to OBCE Executive Director Dave McTeague, "The Board is concerned about
high pressure marketing to potential patients using questionable claims.
The typical treatment protocol calls for twenty treatments over a six-week course of therapy.5
Add to that the financial pressures of purchasing a DRX 9000 type device (upwards of 65,000 to
$125,000, Used 2005 model on Ebay for $65,000) and there may be other motives for the
treatment program than optimal patient care."6
1. "Depression, Mood State, and Back Pain During Microgravity Simulated by Bed Rest,"
Styf, Hutchinson et al, Psychosomatic Medicine 63:862-864 (2001)
2. "Physical and Psychological Challenges of Space Travel: An Overview," Ziegler,
Psychosomatic Medicine 63:859-861 (2001)
3, "Back pain during 6 degrees head-down tilt approximates that during actual microgravity,"
Hutchinson, Watenpaugh, Converting Hargens; Aviation Space Environmental Medicine,
March 1995.
4. "Advanced Trauma Life Support for the Injured Astronaut," Third Edition, Cheatham.,
Department of Surgical Education, Orlando Regional Medical Center.
5. "Medical Treatment Protocol," DRX9000 Operator's Manual, Axiom Worldwide, Page 35.
6. "A popular machine to relieve back pain has the support of some doctors and patients, but
not Medicare and the insurance industry." Kris Hundley, St. Petersburg Florida Times, July
17,2006. httD://www.sDtimes.com/2006/07/17/Business/Insurers back off.shtml
7. Anesthesia & Pain Coder's Pink Sheet Special Investigative Report (December 2005)
http://www.uca.com/images/APPQ5l2 SpecialReport QQl.pdf
*The OBCE has made no conclusions about the efficacy of spinal decompression. The OBCE
takes issue with the advertising claims of these devices.
(30)
For more information., contact OBCE Dave McTeague, Executive Director
Oregon £ne. am
c
State chiropractic board warns of questionable ads for device
Saturday, November 18, 2006
The Oregonian
The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Is cracking down on ads that tout a spinal traction device as a
"NASA medical breakthrough," with seemingly no evidence to back that claim.
Chiropractors nationwide have been advertising the DRX 9000 device as a back-pain treatment that is
derived from space research and is 86 percent successful. In Oregon, between six and 12 chiropractors
have run these ads, estimated Dave MeTeague, the board's executive director.
The board issued a warning Friday saying it could find no NASA studies or reports about this device or a
similar one. In fact, several studies show that the low gravity in space lengthens astronauts' spines and
causes back pain. Board rules also prohibit advertising success rates.
"The board is concerned about high-pressure marketing to potential patients using questionable claims,"
the warning said,
McTeague said the warning covers only advertising. The board has not taken an official opinion on the
treatment itself.
- Andy Dworkin
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