The Federal Drug Administration has approved a new non-surgical "virtually painless" procedure to get rid of the pain.

The new procedure involves a vertebral axial decompression or Vax-D for short. It's designed to help people who have slipped herniated or bulging discs and chronic pain.

Vax-D reminds many doctors of the olden-time racks used to torture people in dungeons. Doctors say it works the same way.

"It takes the pressure off the disc, and allows it to return to it's normal position, and encourages it to heal," says Dr. Stephen Moore.

Vax-D is available only with a prescription. It provides relief to about 80 percent of the patients who choose to use the procedure.

Related Sites:

• Vax-D
• Back And Neck
• Back Works