Host: Steve Small
Guest: Stephen Barabas – VBS Medical, UK Distributor of K-Laser

In this episode, Steve Small is joined by Stephen Barabas from VBS Medical, the distributor of K-Laser, to explore how high power Class IV laser therapy works and how it can be integrated alongside spinal decompression treatments such as IDD Therapy.

We discuss:

• The mechanisms of action behind Class IV laser including photobiomodulation, cellular energy production, inflammation control and enhanced tissue repair.
• The difference between laser power outputs and why not all lasers are equal.
• How laser may help with disc related pathologies, including herniation, nerve irritation and inflammatory pain states.
• Protocol ideas and when to apply laser during a decompression treatment plan to complement disc rehabilitation.
• Clinical insights from Stephen’s work with clinics using both laser and spinal decompression to unlock faster outcomes and better patient compliance.
• Business impact and how adding laser to a decompression programme can increase treatment value and patient satisfaction.

This episode provides a clear and jargon free look at where laser fits in clinically and commercially for clinics offering or considering spinal decompression.

Useful links

Learn more about K-Laser: https://vbsmedical.com/
Download the Spinal Decompression Info Pack: https://spinaldecompressionpodcast.com

Connect with Steve Small:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-small-steadfastclinics/

Dan Smith is a physio and Clinical Director of Sports NSpinal Physio in Brentwood Essex.  Here Danshares his experiences, why traction went out of physiotherapy, why team workand rehab is so important, where and when to use IDD Therapy, the results oftheir own audit and Dan finishes with a pet peeve, some people saying all backpain gets better by itself …  whilst givingan injection which costs £$000s … just saying.

Sports N Spinal Physio https://sportsandspinalphysio.co.uk/

Download an info pack at https://www.spinaldecompressionpodcast.com/

In this follow-up conversation, Steve Small reconnects with Michael Fatica to explore one of the biggest challenges in spine care: the disconnect between Consultant-led interventions and the rehab patients desperately need before and afterwards.

Michael shares his honest thoughts on why so many patients fall through the cracks after procedures, injections, or imaging — and offers simple, practical solutions to help bridge that gap.

One standout idea: using a patient’s own phone to record them performing their exercises correctly in clinic, giving them a personal, on-demand reference to stay on track at home.

• Why interventions without structured rehab often fail patients

• The communication gap between Consultants and rehab professionals

• How small changes in clinic practice can improve patient outcomes

• Michael’s tip for using a patient’s smartphone as a rehab tool

• The need for proactive, progressive rehab plans alongside spinal interventions

Join the Back In Shape Program: www.backinshapeprogram.com

Clinicians: Download your free guide to providing spinal decompression: www.spinaldecompressionpodcast.com

In this episode, Steve Small is joined by Michael Fatica —osteopath, spine care specialist, and creator of the Back In Shape Program, an online platform and community for patients to access good rehab, globally.

Together, they dive into the critical role of structured rehabilitation in spinal care, and the unfortunate reality that too many patients with back and neck issues are left with poor advice and little direction on their recoveryjourney.

Michael shares insights from his clinic in Cheltenham, where he combines expert-led exercise rehab with IDD Therapy spinal decompression to help people with unresolved spinal problems reclaim their lives. He discusses the importance of clear, progressive rehab plans and how his Back In ShapeProgram is making quality care more accessible for patients worldwide.

In This Episode:

* Why structured, progressive rehab is essential for spine recovery

*The most common mistakes patients make after a back injury

* How Michael integrates IDD Therapy into his treatment plans

* The dangers of poor guidance and generic advice in spine care

* Michael’s mission to empower patients with the tools they need to take control of their recovery

Links & Resources:Join the Back In Shape Program: https://backinshapeprogram.com/

Download a freeguide to providing spinal decompression athttps://www.spinaldecompressionpodcast.com

Osteopath Lawrence Bergstrom joins Steve Small to talk about patients he sees in his clinic and how they progress with IDD Therapy spinal decompression. 

An Osteopath for over twenty years, Lawrence has expanded his practice scope, built a team and grownimmeasurably as a clinician.   

His clinic in Faversham in Kent, UK, is developing hisspecialist service and today Lawrence talks about a wide range of topics but in particular about nerve pain, nerve decompression and fasciculation.  

https://www.swalebackpainclinic.co.uk/

Download a free guide to spinal decompression at www.spinaldecompressionpodcast.com

The second part of a powerful interview with Nicola McLennan of Boost Your Practice. 

Former clinic owner turned business coach, Nicola scaled her clinic with IDD spinal decompression, developed

Establishing Boost Your Practice Nicola and her team help clinic owners in different countries to ffectively market their tech-led specialisms and to build practices of real value.

We look at three main areas:Websites, Paid Ads and Workshops, with a lot of nuggets scattered in the process!

Looking to grow your spinal decompression service check out:

 www.boostyourpactice.co.uk

Wanting to expand your conservative spine service offering with IDD spinal decompression, download a free info pack here:

UK & International: https://iddtherapy.co.uk/become-a-provider/

US PTs: https://iddtherapy.co.uk/uspt/

Connect with Steve Small on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-small-steadfastclinics/

If a spinal decompression expert was opening a brand new clinic in your town, this is what they’d do!  Steve Small is joined by Nicola McLennan of Boost Your Practice. 

Former clinic owner turned business coach, Nicola scaled her clinic with IDD spinal decompression, developed systems and sold her practice.

Establishing Boost Your Practice Nicola and her team help clinic owners in different countries to effectively market their tech-led specialisms and to build practices of real value.

We look at three main areas:

Looking to grow your spinal decompressions

 www.boostyourpactice.co.uk

Wanting to expand your conservative

UK & International: https://iddtherapy.co.uk/become-a-provider/

US PTs: https://iddtherapy.co.uk/uspt/

Connect with Steve Small:

Spinal Decompression is BS - It’s traction, traction doesn’t work, exercise is the only thing you need, if you’re any good you can do everything with your hands, it’s expensive, it’s about making money, there’s no evidence, too many treatments  …

You might be right if this is what you think. But what if you're not? In this episode Osteopath Rob Shanks shares his experiences. 

How he had exactly the same thoughts but after ten years working with his hands, observed that with some disc patients outcomes were hit and miss. 

It's this frustration coupled with an inquisitive mind that led Rob into the murky world of … TRAAAACTTIONNNN

And from there an itch of curiosity led him to check out

Rob has got really quite good at working with spines and

Rob is a director of Spine Plus Clinics in Essex, UK and has two IDD Therapy systems.  He also provides training for MSK practitioners in spinal MRI interpretation.  Rob talks about this in the podcast. 

You can reach Rob at https://thecliniccoach.net/

Enter your email and Rob can send you details of the course. 

To learn more about providing IDD Therapy spinal

https://iddtherapy.co.uk/become-a-provider/

To arrange a chat with Steve Small, visit https://calendly.com/stephen-small

In today’s episode Steve Small talks about MRIs.  Many practitioners feel they have a knowledge gap when it comes to reading MRIs.  And they think that this could preclude them from helping more patients with IDD Spinal Decompression.  Here Steve talks through the stages of learning, from day one to being able to read MRIs with your eyes closed. He also shares details of training and the benefits for your patients, you and your clinic as you expand your MRI knowledge.

Useful links: 

Host Steve Small Linkedin

MRI Training Course

Info pack about providing Spinal Decompression

Steve Small is joined by Paul Hobrough, ex-British athlete

Paul of Hobrough Healthcare has used “shockwave” for over ten years.  After hearing Paul teach about how to use shockwave with back pain, we wanted Paul on the show.

Here we explore the mechanisms and help clinicians understand when and how to use shockwave with back pain and potentially as part of IDD Therapy spinal decompression programmes.

In this episode Paul explains the differences between radial and focussed shockwave and when and how he uses it for back pain. 

We delve into evidence-based medicine and

The interview tees up another episode to look more into the practicals and commercial side of providing shockwave for back pain with or without spinal decompression.

Paul’s website: https://paulhobrough.com/

ESWT Linkedin Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12889024/

Steve Small Digital Business Card

Download Info about IDD Therapy