Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider.

device (method) for low back pain (LBP) to be managed at home

Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.)

yes

If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared:

traction methods versus other treatments of herniated disc LBP.

What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.)

patients with herniated disc LBP. Back pain in the USA (and in the UK) is a great problem. My device to treat low back pain (LBP) is patented in the UK. Method is pending in the USA. It is an auto-traction method that I, a medical doctor, developed for myself. It works in upright vertical position, has only one contra-indication, is cost-effective (as all other treatments are abandoned) and may help keep LBP patients capable to work. I am now assessing interest in the device (method) and would like to know whether you would be interested to take the project forward into medical practice. As a medical doctor using this method to treat my low back pain I can claim that:

1. This method kept me, a young LBP patient, capable to work.
2. It was cost-effective as all the other treatments were abandoned.
3. It keeps me, now an old LBP patient, from becoming a back cripple (unfortunately there is no absolute cure for heavily herniated disc LBP).
4. The most important advantage of this method is that it is a self-help, self-manage method. I do not go to my GP or hospital, I use it at home any time suitable.

Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.)

There are some other advantages of this method but they require further investigation:

1. Using this method by patients with simple backache might prevent subsequent disc injury that is highly possible in this group.
2. This method may be a helpful and cost-effective treatment for patients with neck pain.
3. This method may be a helpful and cost-effective treatment for patients with ankylosing spondylitis.
4. It may be reasonable to use this method for preventative measures by people in groups of risk: sedentary mode of life, drivers, porters, weight-lifters, oarsmen and some other sportsmen or parachute jumpers.
5. This method can be used for spine curvature correction.
6. Regular use of this method might prevent development of osteoporosis in the bones of spine, upper limbs and shoulder girdle (it is a positive side effect).
7. This method might prevent periodontal disorders by providing the gums massage (it is another positive effect of this method).

Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.)

Advantages of the Method

1. it is focused on the disc itself which is in most cases the source of the disease;
2. it is used in upright vertical position which is much more comfortable as compared with the inversion method;
3. it is simple because the head support frame is very simple, small and light allowing a person of any age and condition to use it at home on a regular basis;
4. it is safe because the force of decompression can be easily regulated by the users themselves; the user's neck is protected, the user's teeth are protected; and no rush of blood to the head is caused (as opposed to inversion); upright vertical position prevents material of nucleus pulposus from further protruding during decompression (as opposed to mechanical traction) and there is some chance for the protruded part of nucleus pulposus to come back inside the disc;
5. all the parts of the entire vertebral column are decompressed simultaneously which improves the discs' condition throughout the whole column;
6. using any other back pain treatment shall be gradually abandoned;
7. it is self-help, self-managed treatment, patients do it at home any time suitable;
8. this Method keeps young LBP patients capable to work;
9. this Method keeps old LBP patients from becoming back pain cripples.

: This is absolutely new and effective method – it will decrease the number of hospital visits, it will reduce the cost of care, it will create jobs, it will increase export, it will be famous all over the world. And it can help soldiers.

Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about.

severs osteoporosis is an absolute contra-indication to this method. to exclude this contra-indication, it is interesting to use a sensor included into the device to show osteoporotic people the force that they apply to their spine. such special devices will exclude severe osteoporosis as contra-indication to the proposed method.

Appropriateness for EHC Program

Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.?

no

Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply)

EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008)

• Arthritis and nontraumatic joint disorders
• Functional limitations and disability

AHRQ Priority Populations

• Elderly
• Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care

Federal Health Care Program

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Other

Importance

Describe why this topic is important.

Back pain is a great problem. As it is already said above this is absolutely new and effective method – it will decrease the number of hospital visits, it will reduce the cost of care, it will create jobs, it will increase export, it will be famous all over the world. And it can help soldiers

What specifically motivated you to ask this question? (For example, you are developing a clinical guideline, working with a policy with large uncertainty about the appropriate approach, costly intervention, new research you have read, items in the media you may have seen, a clinical practice dilemma you know of, etc.)

I do not understand this, sorry.

Does your question represent uncertainty for clinicians and/or policy-makers? (For example, variations in clinical care, controversy in what constitutes appropriate clinical care, or a policy decision.)

no

If yes, please explain:

Potential Impact

How will an answer to your research question be used or help inform decisions for you or your group?

I do not understand this, sorry.

Describe the timeframe in which an answer to your question is needed.

The time you consider necessary a new effective method to be used in medical practice. The sooner, the better!

Describe any health disparities, inequities, or impact on vulnerable populations your question applies to.

severe osteoporosis is an absolute contra-indication.

Nominator Information

Other Information About You: (optional)

Please choose a description that best describes your role or perspective: (you may select more than one category if appropriate)

I do not understand this, sorry.

Are you making a suggestion as an individual or on behalf of an organization?

Individual

Please tell us how you heard about the Effective Health Care Program

internet