Ep92: Michael Foreit on Why Non-Surgical Decompression Is the Future of Spine Care
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In this groundbreaking episode of Your Business, Your Next Level, host Eunicia Peret is joined by Dr. Michael Foreit, a second-generation osteopathic physician and international advocate for non-surgical spinal decompression. Dr. Foreit shares the powerful story of how a personal injury led him to discover—and champion—a revolutionary device that’s now helping patients across 55+ countries avoid invasive spinal surgeries and opioid dependence. From patient case studies to the failures of current medical protocols, this episode is a masterclass in innovation, disruption, and truly patient-centered care.
Key Takeaways:
Non-surgical decompression is changing lives: A groundbreaking alternative to spinal surgery, this method boasts success rates over 90% and is reducing pain and restoring function for thousands globally.
The U.S. medical system is slow to adapt: Despite decades of success, the treatment remains underutilized due to outdated protocols, insurance constraints, and surgeon resistance.
Steroid injections and ablations are stopgaps: Widely used treatments like epidural steroid injections and nerve ablations offer only temporary relief and often worsen long-term outcomes.
Real results come from negative pressure: Devices like the DRX9000 create targeted, pain-free decompression that promotes disc healing and long-term recovery.
Surgeons aren’t always incentivized to educate: Dr. Foreit challenges the silence within medical schools and clinical institutions that ignore non-invasive treatments due to lack of testing or reimbursement.
Patient outcomes are being sacrificed for profits: Many patients are pushed toward surgeries or lifelong prescriptions, even when safer, proven alternatives exist.
Decompression works across demographics: From aging patients to injured truck drivers, Dr. Foreit has seen success in people of all ages, conditions, and work backgrounds.
Global adoption is underway: With clinics now opening across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, this treatment is finally gaining the attention it deserves.
Timeline Summary:
[00:00:00] Introduction and background on Dr. Foreit’s work in osteopathic care and holistic medicine.
[00:02:00] Personal story of spinal injury that led to discovering spinal decompression.
[00:04:00] Development of the VAX-D device and early research behind decompression therapy.
[00:06:00] Clinical studies confirming 300–400 pounds of negative pressure during treatment.
[00:08:00] Resistance from insurance companies and surgical industries to adopt new approaches.
[00:10:00] Why steroid injections remain common despite limited effectiveness.
[00:13:00] The dangers of ablations and pain stimulators as symptom-masking treatments.
[00:17:00] Case examples from Foreit’s own practice treating thousands of patients in Gary, Indiana.
[00:19:00] Risks of spinal fusions and the widespread problem of adjacent segment syndrome.
[00:22:00] Upcoming triple-blind study at University of South Florida and expected disruptive results.
[00:25:00] The importance of conservative, hands-on treatment over invasive care.
[00:27:00] Failures in medical school curricula and why future doctors aren’t learning decompression.
[00:30:00] MRI results and real-world evidence of disc retraction and pain reduction.
[00:33:00] Spinal fusion success rates versus decompression efficacy.
[00:35:00] Global expansion: from Kuwait to Prague, Vietnam to Jordan.
[00:38:00] Call to action for patients, providers, and employers to rethink spinal care strategies.
Links & Resources:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-foreit-do-304069136/
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