 |
|
Spinal Traction
Traditional spinal traction is an antiquated
back pain treatment
which is rarely used any more, due to its ineffectiveness and utterly illogical presumptions. Traction is however, the precursor of modern
spinal decompression,
so it has served some valuable function within the
back pain industry.
For practitioners who still use bed ridden traction for symptomatic pain relief, SHAME ON YOU! Get with the program doc, it is the 21st century already! Unfortunately, I do see this treatment still being used in many countries with less developed and enlightened medical infrastructures.
What is Spinal Traction?
Traction is described as placing the patient in bed for an extended time frame and using clumsy manually controlled weights to place controlled tension on the
spine.
Typically, patients are fitted with harnesses or bindings which facilitate placement of weight on specific areas of the body. This is done in an effort to elongate the spine, theoretically enacting a Stone Age version of decompression treatment.
Traction for back pain
has been used for literally thousands of years, but modern medicine has determined that it is not only ineffective as a curative therapy, but actually does more harm than good for the vast majority of patients.
Spine Traction Complications
In addition to typically not actually helping to decompress anything,
bed ridden
traction also is responsible for considerable negative effects on the patient. Patients confined to bed suffer muscular atrophy, which is a prime source of
back pain
perpetuation. Patients also suffer irritation and sores from being placed in a stagnant position for a ridiculously long time. Blood circulation is greatly reduced in the affected area, which slows the healing process for actual
back injuries
and worsens common
ischemic
pain syndromes. While traction is still indicated for certain specific severe injuries, it is NOT to be used as a
symptomatic treatment
option for common back pain!
Spinal Traction Advice
Instead of wasting your time even considering this idea for
back pain relief,
investigate non-surgical spinal decompression. This therapy is fast, effective and allows you to overcome many painful spinal conditions without much disruption in your lifestyle. Decompression has become one of my favorite treatment options for actual cases of structural back pain caused by
herniated discs,
degenerative disc disease
and some forms of
facet syndrome
and
foraminal stenosis.
Just remember that MOST
chronic back pain
is
psychosomatic,
especially in patients who have already tried many other seemingly appropriate treatment options unsuccessfully. My recommendation if your doctor recommends traction (in all but the most extreme cases)…RUN! Run fast and do not look back…
Spinal Traction to Back Pain Home
6/29/09 Revised 9/9/09
|
|
|
