IDD Therapy

Name: Atkins Physio
Address: 154 High Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9EF, UK
Telephone: 020 8504 0478

Advanced Treatment for Disc-Related Back and Neck Pain

As a long established practice, we see a lot of patients with disc problems. Whilst most disc problems can be resolved with hands on physiotherapy, for some conditions we use IDD Therapy Disc Treatment.

The main conditions that can be treated with IDD therapy are:

Bulging Discs
Herniated Discs
Prolapsed Discs
Sciatic Nerve Pain
Spinal Stenosis
Degenerative Disc Disease

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IDD Therapy was developed to address the failings of traditional traction by providing a targeted treatment to decompress specific spinal segments. You might have a “slipped disc” or what we refer to as herniated, prolapsed or bulging discs, and IDD Therapy provides a safe, targeted treatment as part of a programme of care to get you back on your feet again.

If you are suffering with a disc problem or related condition like nerve pain (sciatica) which isn’t responding to hands on treatments, then in all likelihood we would assess your suitability for IDD Therapy. At an initial assessment we will review your condition and treatments and explain to you which of our treatments would be most appropriate. If your condition was such that you needed a referral, then as a well established clinic we are ideally placed to advise you on appropriate consultants. If you would like to make an appointment, call 020 8504 0478.

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

Book an initial consultation now to find out if IDD could help you. The consultation fee of £58 will be refunded if a course of IDD therapy is booked.

What is IDD Therapy?

Intervertebral Differential Dynamics (IDD) Therapy is the fastest growing non-invasive back pain treatment which treats targeted spinal segments. IDD Therapy allows us to decompress the injured intervertebral disc, improve mobility and relieve pain.

Many back pain conditions are located at a particular level in the spine. With IDD Therapy we use computer-controlled pulling forces delivered by the Accu SPINA machine to gently distract (draw apart) targeted segments of the spine in order to take pressure off specific discs and nerves.

In addition, the treatment gently stretches tight muscles and stiff ligaments to help improve mobility and relieve muscle spasm.

By decompressing (taking pressure off) an injured or bulging disc and stretching the soft tissues, this allows the body’s natural healing mechanisms to operate more efficiently.

We've gathered some information on common conditions we treat with IDD Therapy below.

IDD Therapy for Bulging, Herniated, Prolapsed Discs

IDD Therapy is a cutting-edge, non-surgical treatment for persistent back and neck pain caused by bulging, herniated, or prolapsed discs. This computer-directed physiotherapeutic approach offers a safe and gentle alternative for patients who have not found relief through conventional methods.

How IDD Therapy Works

IDD Therapy utilizes targeted spinal decompression to:

Distract specific spinal segments, reducing pressure on injured discs
Create negative intra-discal pressure, promoting disc retraction and repositioning
Enhance fluid and nutrient movement within the disc, facilitating healing
Stretch tight muscles and stiff ligaments, improving spinal flexibility

Benefits of IDD Therapy

Significant pain reduction - Studies report up to 76% pain reduction one year post-treatment
Improved disc health - IDD Therapy encourages rehydration and repair of degenerative discs
Reduced disc bulge size - Some cases show visible reduction in MRI comparisons
Increased spinal mobility - Decreases muscle spasm and enhances flexibility
Non-invasive solution - Offers an alternative to injections or surgery

Treatment Protocol

IDD Therapy typically involves a series of 10-20 sessions, spread over a period of several weeks or months. The treatment is customised to target specific injured spinal segments, ensuring precise and effective care.

Ideal Candidates

IDD Therapy is particularly suitable for individuals who:

Have persistent back pain, neck pain, or sciatica
Have not responded to other treatments
Wish to avoid invasive procedures or reduce reliance on pain medication
Seek long-term pain relief and a return to normal daily activities

With its high success rate and focus on addressing the root cause of disc-related pain, IDD Therapy offers a promising solution for those seeking effective, non-surgical relief from chronic back and neck issues. Talk to us today about an IDD Therapy consultation at our clinic.

IDD Therapy for Sciatica Relief

Are you suffering from persistent sciatica pain? IDD Therapy might be the answer you've been searching for. This non-invasive spinal decompression treatment is rapidly gaining popularity as an effective solution for chronic back pain, neck pain and sciatica.

IDD Therapy uses computer-controlled pulling forces to gently distract targeted spinal segments. This process:

Relieves pressure on discs and pinched nerves
Promotes fluid and nutrient absorption in the disc space
Improves spinal mobility
Relaxes tight muscles and ligaments

Research shows that IDD Therapy is particularly effective for sciatica patients:

86% of patients with herniated discs and sciatica showed good to excellent improvement

A UK study of over 500 chronic low back pain patients in 2015 found a 65% reduction in pain after IDD Therapy. Pain reduction effects were also maintained one year after treatment.

Don't let sciatica control your life. Discover the potential of IDD Therapy and take the first step towards a pain-free future. Contact our clinic today to learn more about how this innovative treatment can help you regain your quality of life.

IDD Therapy for Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition characterised by the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord or nerves. This condition commonly affects older adults and is often caused by degenerative changes such as arthritis, bone spurs or herniated discs. Symptoms may include back or neck pain, tingling, numbness, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking or maintaining balance. In severe cases, it can significantly impact mobility and quality of life.

What Causes Spinal Stenosis?

Degenerative Changes - Arthritis-related wear-and-tear can lead to bone spurs or thickened ligaments that reduce space in the spinal canal.
Herniated Discs - Bulging or ruptured discs can press on nerves.
Congenital Factors - Some individuals are born with a naturally narrow spinal canal.

IDD Therapy is an advanced non-surgical spinal decompression treatment designed to relieve pain and improve mobility in patients with conditions like spinal stenosis. It is particularly effective for those who have not responded to traditional therapies and wish to avoid invasive procedures like surgery. IDD Therapy gently stretches soft tissues and facilitates the diffusion of oxygen, water, and nutrients into damaged discs, aiding in their recovery.

IDD Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a common spinal condition characterised by the gradual deterioration of the intervertebral discs, which act as cushions and shock absorbers between the vertebrae.

Although it is not technically a disease, DDD occurs naturally with ageing as the discs lose hydration and elasticity, but it can also result from injury, repetitive strain, or genetic predisposition.

The symptoms of degenerative discs often include chronic pain in the lower back or neck, stiffness, and radiating pain to the arms or legs due to nerve compression. These symptoms can worsen with activities like bending, lifting, or prolonged sitting.

IDD Therapy is an advanced, non-invasive treatment option that has shown significant promise in managing degenerative disc disease. It is a form of targeted spinal decompression therapy that uses computer-controlled technology to gently stretch and mobilize specific spinal segments. This process creates negative pressure within the affected disc, encouraging rehydration and nutrient flow to promote natural healing.

Patients undergoing IDD Therapy lie comfortably on a specialised treatment bed while controlled cycles of traction and relaxation are applied to elongate the spine. The therapy is tailored to each individual’s condition for optimal results.

By addressing both the structural and functional aspects of spinal health, IDD Therapy provides long-term relief from DDD and improved mobility. Talk to us about arranging an IDD Therapy consultation.

IDD Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions

A practical guide for anyone considering IDD Therapy at our London clinic for the first time. If your question isn't answered here, please call us – we're happy to talk it through before you commit to anything.

About the treatment

What exactly is IDD Therapy?

IDD stands for Intervertebral Differential Dynamics. It's a non-surgical spinal decompression programme for persistent back pain, neck pain and related nerve pain such as sciatica. It was developed in the late 1990s by a team that included neurosurgeons, physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeons to address the limitations of traditional traction and what can be achieved by hand alone.

The treatment is delivered on a computer-controlled medical device (the Accu-SPINA system), which is a Class II medical device. You lie fully clothed on a comfortable treatment bed while the machine applies precise, gentle pulling forces to the specific spinal segment causing your pain.

How is IDD different from ordinary traction or just being 'stretched'?

Traditional traction is essentially a single, steady pull across the whole spine – a blunt tool. IDD Therapy is more targeted: the device applies forces at a precise angle so it can decompress one specific disc level (for example, L4/L5 in the lower back, or C5/C6 in the neck) rather than pulling on everything at once.

IDD also adds a patented gentle oscillation (a small 'pumping' motion) at the point of maximum stretch. That oscillation is what allows your muscles to relax into the treatment rather than guarding against it, which is the problem that old-fashioned traction often ran into.

Is it the same as chiropractic 'cracking' or a strong osteopathic adjustment?

No. There's no manipulation, no sudden movements, and no audible 'cracks'. The forces are applied slowly and progressively by the machine, and you're in control throughout – including a patient-held emergency stop button. Many people find IDD Therapy to be much gentler than a typical hands-on session.

Will it hurt? What does it actually feel like?

Is IDD Therapy painful?

IDD Therapy is designed to be comfortable throughout. You should feel only a mild-to-moderate pulling sensation in the area being treated – not pain. The forces are built up gradually over the course of treatment, in the same way you'd progress weights in a gym, so your body has time to adapt. Many patients find the sessions so relaxing they fall asleep on the machine.

What does a session actually involve?

A typical hour-long session in a UK clinic follows the same pattern:

About 10 minutes of heat therapy to warm the soft tissues and increase blood flow to the area.
25 minutes on the Accu-SPINA machine itself, fully clothed, wearing two supportive harnesses (one around the pelvis, one around the upper body) that connect you to the device.
About 10 minutes of cold therapy afterwards to calm the treated area before you leave.

You stay fully dressed throughout – comfortable, loose-fitting clothes such as trousers, leggings or a tracksuit are ideal.

Will I feel anything afterwards?

It's common – and completely normal – to feel a little soreness or stiffness for a day or so after the first few sessions, similar to how you'd feel after a new workout. This happens because the muscles and ligaments are adapting to forces they aren't used to.

Very occasionally, people experience brief muscle spasm in the first few sessions. These effects almost always settle as the course progresses. If anything feels more than mild, tell your physiotherapist and they'll adjust the protocol.

Is it safe? Could it make me worse?

How safe is IDD Therapy?

IDD Therapy has an excellent safety profile when delivered by a trained clinician. Because it's non-invasive, there's no risk of surgical complications, infection or anaesthetic side effects. Over 37,000 IDD Therapy sessions have been delivered in the UK in the past five years.

The Accu-SPINA system has multiple built-in safety features, and both the operator and you have emergency stop buttons during treatment.

Is there anyone IDD Therapy isn't suitable for?

Yes – and this is exactly why we do a thorough assessment (and usually want to see your MRI scan) before starting. The treatment isn't suitable if you have:

Pregnancy
Spinal hardware such as pedicle screws, rods or a recent (less than 6 months) lumbar fusion
Severe osteoporosis
Spondylolisthesis grade 2 or above
A recent spinal compression fracture
Pars defects
Metastatic cancer, or cancer in the abdomen or pelvis
Abdominal aortic aneurysm

You also need to be at least 18 years old. If any of these apply, we'll talk you through alternative options rather than proceeding with IDD.

Can it make a disc problem worse?

The treatment is specifically designed to reduce pressure on an injured disc, not increase it. The forces are computer-controlled and applied within carefully calculated limits based on your body weight and the spinal level being treated.

That said, honest expectation-setting matters: like any treatment, IDD Therapy doesn't help everyone. If you aren't responding the way we'd hope after the early sessions, we will tell you and stop the programme rather than push on. You aren't locked in.

What conditions does it help with?

What problems is IDD Therapy used for?

IDD Therapy is most often used for persistent pain caused by:

Herniated, bulging, prolapsed or "slipped" discs in the lower back or neck
Sciatica and other nerve root pain radiating into a leg or arm
Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Facet joint pain and stiffness around an affected segment

IDD treats the lumbar spine (lower back) and the cervical spine (neck): most commonly the L4/L5 and L5/S1 levels in the back and C5/C6/C7 in the neck. It is not used to treat the thoracic (mid) spine.

Is it only for people considering surgery?

No. It's typically considered when standard hands-on physiotherapy or osteopathy hasn't given you enough relief, when symptoms have been going on for more than a few weeks, or when you're trying to avoid injections or surgery.

Many patients we see are taking regular painkillers and want a longer-term solution. That said, you don't need to be in extremis to benefit. Milder, persistent disc-related pain can respond well too.

Do I need an MRI scan to have IDD Therapy?

A recent MRI is strongly preferred because it confirms the specific disc level causing the problem, helps us set the right treatment protocol, and rules out any of the contraindications above. If you don't have one, we'll discuss with you whether one is needed and help you arrange it.

How long does it take? Will one session be enough?

How many sessions will I need?

This is one of the most common worries, and a fair one. IDD Therapy is delivered as a programme of care, not a one-off. The body needs time to adapt to the gradually increasing forces, much like a strengthening programme at the gym.

Typical UK protocols are:

A shorter course of around 10 sessions over 4–5 weeks for less severe or earlier-stage cases.
The standard intensive programme of around 20 sessions over 6–8 weeks for longer-standing or more severe disc problems, especially in patients hoping to avoid surgery.

We assess your specific situation and recommend the course that gives you the best chance of success. We review your progress throughout, and we adjust (or stop) if treatment isn't going the way we'd want.

Why so many sessions? Couldn't I just try one?

A single session won't deliver lasting change because the mechanical and physiological improvements in the disc, surrounding ligaments and muscles happen progressively over time between sessions. Pulling forces are built up gradually over the course, which is why consistency matters more than intensity.

Some patients do feel symptomatic relief in the first few sessions, but the structural improvements that hold the change in place need the full programme.

How quickly will I feel better?

It varies. Some people notice meaningful changes within the first few sessions; for others – especially those with long-standing or severe disc problems – relief builds more gradually across the course.

Evidence from longer-term studies suggests that improvements often continue after the course has finished, as the body keeps adapting.

What about cost, and is it worth it?

How much does IDD Therapy cost in London?

We charge £58 for your initial IDD Therapy consultation, which is then put towards your IDD treatment if you choose to proceed.

We'll discuss the total cost of the recommended course at your initial consultation, before you commit to anything.

Will my private health insurance cover it?

Some private insurers (including Aviva) now fund IDD Therapy programmes, recognising that the cost can be lower than surgery and that patients often do better avoiding invasive treatment. Cover varies by policy and insurer, so we'd recommend checking with yours directly. We're happy to provide whatever documentation they need.

Is it good value compared with other options?

That's a personal judgement, but it's worth saying that injections and surgery are not without their own costs, risks and recovery times.

For many people, a course of IDD Therapy is positioned as a step before injections or surgery rather than instead of them – a way of giving the body a serious, evidence-informed chance to heal naturally before considering more invasive routes.