I recently wrote a piece drawing into question this product I’d seen advertised called the SpineDok. I drew it into question against the backdrop of my dad’s history of back problems and in a surprisingly bold move, the manufacturer struck back! There was an answer from the depths! They challenged my questions with a question of their own; will your dad try this product and give us his honest opinion? When I conferred with my dad he acquiesced; saying that while back problems had plagued him in the past, he wasn’t nearly as in pain now as he was then. However his wife, Lea, (not my mother but a lovely lady) had horrendous back pain; pain which he felt needed to be probed further. He allowed that they would both use the SpineDok and give back a full report.
That was two months ago; it has been as long that they’ve had the SpineDok. Here is their individual analysis.
My dad: My dad is a pretty physical guy. The son of a coach and gym teacher, inactivity and immobility don’t sit too well with him. Even when he’s got one thing he’s focused in on, he’s usually got a couple of other pots simmering. So activity is a way of life for him. When he first heard about my SpineDok encounter he assured me that his days of intensely ailing back were long since past him. He had lived on a strict regimen of ice, ibuprofen, and mind-over-matter self-healing which was on par with Jedi for some years though.
My dad’s back pains go as far as “occasionally sore” for periods of exertion. His analysis of the SpineDok was instructive to one end. He said that his experience on the SpineDok was that it was not at all painful to use; not painful to get on or get off. He also said that the relief allowed on the occasions that he did use it were well received and he said he would qualify this as “a useful tool” for someone with mild and occasional back pain. He was particularly satisfied with the way the arch of his back was extended following use of the SpineDok.
Lea: Remember, Lea has very bad back pain. Her experience with the SpineDok is particularly useful in another direction. When I fist spoke to Lea about the SpineDok she was rather hopeful and interested, though she did hedge her bets for any undue disappointment. Lea has “always had back issues,” and this is something which has followed her around always. My contact from SpineDok, Tomas, even said to me that while he believes in the utility of the product, “nothing is an end all cure for any kind of pain (and) many people struggle with tight back muscles.” Lea said of the SpineDok that “getting on it and getting off it really hurt.” She was the principal user of the SpineDok and used it exclusively for the duration of her treatment. She said that the unit “Stretched out her back uncomfortably.” However she did make a point to continue on with the trial because she said she would.
Her experience went that for the, “first 10 days (she) had the same issues with getting on and getting off of the SpineDok.” However she did note that after using it, later on in the day, she “began to feel some relief after the fact.” Her use after the first two weeks or so was infrequent just due to the pain. So while this is an encouraging note for someone who is going to use the SpineDok “every single day with continued use,” the pain eventually was too much to combat the relief that the SpineDok did bring.
This is good because Lea said this experience indicated to her that she needed more help. She told me that she has never had an MRI but she’s pretty sure she’s got a bulging disc. I am almost positive that the SpineDok is no substation for surgery; not do they claim to be. Lea has the lifelong problems of a bulging disc; Tomas from SpineDok even said, “Nothing is an end all cure for any kind of pain.”
So I think in the end the SpineDok may do many people an extraordinary amount of good. If you have mild to moderate back pain which comes and goes and you’re trying to find an alternative to a regimen of ice and ibuprofen, the SpineDok may offer you some relief. Moreover, if you use the SpineDok and find no relief; this is a glaring signal that you need to see a specialist. There is nothing worse than letting serious problems linger on too long before permanent damage is done. So to the makers of the SpineDok, I retract my initial suspicions though I am thrilled at your bold response to them.
I am glad that this event took place and can only hope that others are able to find the relief that they need for their ailing back. If the SpineDok can be a part of that program, all the better!
