SpineMED The SpineMED® System has been the leader in the modern medical science of Decompression Table technology since its introduction in 2002. Health Canada approval for SpineMED® was received in 2002 (licence #67289), while the first FDA Clearance was issued in 2003 with a second FDA Clearance issued in 2005 (FDA #K051013). The SpineMED® System has also undergone testing and received approval from several government health authorities around the world. The device holds current European CE Mark, Republic of Korea Health Licence, Singapore Health Department Licence, Kuwait Department of Health Licence, and many more. SpineMED®’s roots began in Canada. Prior to becoming involved in the design and manufacturing of the SpineMED® System, the founders of SpineMED® owned and partnered with a number of Canadian decompression clinics that utilized the earlier generation decompression technologies. This work began with the very first generation of decompression systems and progressed through to current technologies. These activities grew to where the company also distributed decompression tables from other manufacturers to physicians around the world. The knowledge gained through years of clinical application exposed the therapy to significant limitations because of older technologies. Following almost a decade of experience with spinal decompression therapy, and feedback gained from health-care professionals in the field, the SpineMED® system was designed to overcome these limitations as well as untoward side-effects found with previous decompression table technologies. Perhaps one of the most limiting aspects of the older technologies is the use of traditional pelvic harnesses. The nylon pelvic harnesses create a number of problems and limitations with regard to patient suitability and comfort, and in addition, limit the accuracy and efficiency of the application of force to the patient’s lumbar spine. The harnesses’ limited ability to efficiently transmit the distraction forces from the system’s distraction motor to the patient’s spine necessitates the use of very high treatment tensions. The need for these high forces is due primarily to the significant loss and absorption of energy through the force transmission system. This force transmission system consists of the many components between the distraction motor and the patient’s spine. On most of the older generation devices, gear box assemblies connected to ropes or nylon straps deliver the energy from the distraction motor to the patient’s nylon pelvic harness. Within this system of belts, gears, pulleys, ropes and nylon straps, there is a loss of force through the stretching and absorption of energy of the various material components. In addition, the traditional pelvic harness must deliver the distraction force (energy) through the patient’s fat, muscle and tissue surrounding the lower torso in order for the distraction force to be delivered to the skeletal structure. One of the many unique aspects of the SpineMED® is the Pelvic Restraint system, which eliminates the need for traditional pelvic harnesses. This patented system cannot be found on any other decompression table, and provides a number of improvements to patient comfort, patient suitability and clinical efficiency. Contrary to conventional pelvic harnesses, the Pelvic Restraints capture the patient’s pelvis directly, allowing delivery of the distraction forces directly to the skeletal structure. The Pelvic Restraint system captures any sized patient physique comfortably and accurately through a very light application over the iliac crest, and is virtually imperceptible to most patients. Avoiding the common problem of traditional harnesses slipping down the patient’s torso during high treatment tensions, the Pelvic Restraints are designed not to slip over the patient’s pelvis, so that treatment interruption is eliminated with the SpineMED® The patented Pelvic Tilt System rotates the patient’s pelvis between zero and 25 degrees, allowing the practitioner to target pathology at a specific spinal segment. To reduce inflammation and the incidence of spasm, a far infrared element is incorporated into the lumbar section of the table. This far infrared element also promotes tissue healing and helps to reduce the patient’s pain. Clinical efficiency is paramount with the SpineMED® System. Complete setup time for each patient treatment is less than two minutes, which saves the practitioner between five and seven minutes of valuable time over previous technologies’ setup procedures. SpineMED®’s proprietary advanced software incorporates electronic patient charting into internal databases to save practitioner time, and algorithms calculate each patient’s starting treatment tensions to ensure consistent results. Quality and innovation are the cornerstones of SpineMED®’s philosophy. We are an ISO 13485 and CE certified manufacturer of medical devices, and hold numerous patents on SpineMED®’s unique design and key components. The result is a decompression system built to worldwide hospital standards and whose quality is unmatched in the industry. We are proud to announce that the manufacturing of the world-leading SpineMED® System has returned to its roots; in Canada. Following several years of manufacturing the SpineMED® in Baltimore, Maryland, consolidation of operations brought this work back to British Columbia where manufacturing is facilitated from the metal fabrication to the high-quality cushion construction as well as the final assembly and testing. SpineMED® remains the international technology leader in the decompression industry and continues to distribute its devices to a wide range of medical practitioners around the world. You will find SpineMED® in private practices, teaching hospitals, or Orthopedic hospitals in Canada, the U.S.A., Mexico, Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Egypt, Kuwait, Singapore, Azerbaijan, South Korea and China. Who are we? And why we are… Spine-Align is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Sigma-instruments, manufacturers of computer-assisted chiropractic devices for DC’s for the past 14 years. Spine-Align was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Quebec City, with offices in Central and Western Canada. By the end of 2009, Sigma Instruments was looking for a new distributor. At that time, Dr. Steve Gaudy, DC, was looking for a way to not only help the chiropractic profession, but also to share, with other chiropractors the clinical and practice potential offered by the fruits of eight years of labour, i.e., the use of computer assisted chiropractic. The goal of supporting the profession and assisting individual Dcs is at the heart of the union that occurred between Sigma’s CEO, John Crunick and Spine-Align’s CEO, Dr. Steve Gaudy, DC. Honesty, integrity and commitment to chiropractors and their patients are the main values on which this union was built. Spine-Align’s mission is to help the chiropractic profession provide optimum service to patients using the best technology available today. Dr. Steve Gaudy’s goals “Our primary motivation is to help the chiropractic profession achieve the highest standards of excellence and credibility by providing chiropractors the most advanced and effective technology on the market today,” Gaudy says. “Secondly, we aim to help chiropractors achieve unparalleled success in their practice, and enjoy exceptional quality of life by providing them with personalized technical training and support.” Introduction to our technology Spine-Align is an advanced technical instrument used by doctors for spinal analysis and adjustment. This instrument has a sophisticated software package designed to assist the doctor in locating and correcting subluxations and/or fixations. Spine-Align technology has two operating modes; P to A Analysis and Adjustment and Lateral Analysis and Adjustment. The analysis function of the Sigma-Align series adjusting system isolates and identifies vertebral segments that have a resistance response that is different from the expected normal for similar vertebral segments in a similar individual. Each region of the spine (cervical, thoracic, and lumbo-sacral) is analyzed separately, and the results are displayed graphically. After the analytical phase, the doctor selects the segment (or segments) for adjustment, and the Sigma-Align Series System will apply resonance corrected percussive forces to the selected spinal segments. The system enables the doctor to elect an optimal adjusting technique or an alternative method of treatment. Whether using the corrective resonant force technique incorporated in the Spine-Align Adjusting System, or utilizing special chiropractic techniques, modalities, or other physical therapies, the selected region(s) of the spine may be analyzed again for comparison of the pre-adjustment or pre-treatment condition with the post adjustment or post-treatment result. Spine-Align instrumentation provides clearly defined benefits and advantages for the patient and the doctor. The doctor, using computer graphics, may easily and confidently communicate the patient’s condition and progress. The spinal adjustment function of the instrument relieves the doctor of the physical stresses resulting from the application of repetitive manual hand adjustments. Benefits of the Technology Non-Invasive - Does not invade the para-physiological space like a grade five manipulation; does not use any harmful radiation; can be used on conditions in which manual manipulation is contraindicated. Implements the latest research on joint mobilization - Large volume of research on resonance; scientific research to support the physics. Provides a vehicle for doctor patient interaction - More new patients; more referrals. Precise protocol that is joint specific - Application of force is applied via probes to specific joints; calculates the joint’s natural frequency to be used in therapeusis. Objectively maintains patient records - Treatment and patient information maintained in a database; maintains patient records. Provides feedback to the doctor - Analysis; adjustment / mobilization. Removes subjective variables - Forces imparted into the body are known and controlled; changes are detected by sensors, not by feel. Reduces the treatment time - Provides specific information; rapid treatment (for example, 200+ visits a day by some doctors in the United States). What we offer beyond our technology Spine-Align offers more than computer-assisted chiropractic instruments. We offer an experience, a way of thinking and aid for chiropractors who want to start a practice the right way from the beginning. Our life guide coach, Dr. Tom Preston, retains over 200 Dcs under his tutelage, and is committed to helping others follow his enriching path. We feel it is important to make it clear from the outset that we are not just selling a machine and a technique, rather, we are providing a solution for chiropractors looking to offer outstanding service to their patients while allowing them to design and create the life and practice of their dreams. This is why we have chosen to bundle the sale of the Spine-Align instrumentation with a multi-dimensional coaching program that provides Dcs the best opportunity to truly convey their skill and professionalism to their patients. What sets us apart from the competition Honesty, integrity and commitment to chiropractors and their patients - We truly believe that by providing great technology mixed with a service based on these values, we will create an outstanding Spine-Align community which will, in turn, be able to offer seminars and training to chiropractors all over Canada, in the near future. Our manufacturer is also the inventor and designer – Only Sigma Instruments can certify our instruments and its ancestors, as they are the inventor. Only Sigma Instruments can warranty our instruments and its ancestors, as they are the designers. Sigma Instruments is the leading instrument adjusting company in the world. Optimal technology – Our technology can’t be compared with the competition. Our research and development are constantly progressing. We offer three different models of devices for the chiropractor’s precise needs, which all come with the same great adjusting and analysis software. Our team: over 30 years of operator experience – Our team, which is spread all over Canada, is composed of seven chiropractors with over 135 years of chiropractic experience amongst them. All our chiropractors have great techniques under their belts and they are all practicing with a Spine-Align. Not just a sale, a complete experience – Our clients are well supported after purchasing their instrument. The “optimal adjustment” is a plus to young chiropractors who want support in starting their practice.