Spine traction

Spinal traction is one of the most effective but also the most controversial methods of treating pathologies of the spine. When some diseases of traction brings fast relief and speeds recovery, while others only exacerbates the problem. How justified is the treatment of herniated discs with the traction of the spine? Consensus on this subject in the medical community is still there. We offer you to familiarize with the arguments of supporters and opponents of this technique to form your own opinion.

Spine traction according to the direction of the impact is divided into three types:

• Vertical;
• Horizontal;
• Inversion (upside down).

On the type of impact traction is of two types:

• Autogravitation under its own weight;
• Hardware – with the help of special devices and goods.

And, finally, under the impact of spine traction is:

• The "dry" procedure is carried out inside or on the air;
• "Wet" procedure is carried out in water.

We will tell you in detail about all the types of stretching of the spine, as well as on the relevance of each specific method in the treatment of herniated discs.

When you can apply a spinal traction?

National Institute of rheumatology and rheumatologic State clinicaspace Andre (hévíz) confirm the effectiveness of the methodology of the Mall and support their opinion with the results of numerous studies conducted over the years at the resorts of Hungary: most patients are able to promptly eliminate pain and provide lasting remission.

Local experts speak more restraint about the vertical underwater spine traction. In our country such traction therapy is not used in any of the spas and Wellness centers.

According to Russian physical therapists and rheumatologists, this method is ill-suited for the treatment of a herniated disc for several reasons:

• The procedure too much increases intra disk pressure, which could lead to microtrauma and tears in the fibrous fibers;
• Load pull not accurately regulated and metered, moreover, it affects the entire spine at once, and not just for the disk affected with hernia;
• After the procedure the patient has to stand up and use those muscles, which at the moment needs to remain relaxed so the treatment effect of traction was fixed.

The horizontal stretching of the spine according to the method of V. A. Lisunova

Russian physical therapist V. A. Lizunov invented the technique of underwater traction of the spine in which the risk of damage is minimal, and the therapeutic effect very expressive. Traction therapy for Lisanova looks like this: the patient is placed on an inclined, almost horizontal plane, the shoulder girdle is fixed, and the weight attached to the hips.

This method of traction is more forgiving than vertical traction, as well as more modern, as the installation Lisunova allows with accuracy to the gram to calculate the load for each individual patient. Horizontal underwater traction according to the method Lisunova has been successfully used in many Russian clinics for twenty years, and clinical practice confirms its efficacy in the treatment of herniated discs.

Recommendations on the use of underwater traction of the spine

Before you go in the resort or resort, where you can relax with a treatment underwater traction therapy, do consult your doctor, go through x-ray and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, and take the results with me to show there the specialist.

During the entire period of treatment of intervertebral hernia by the method of underwater traction of the spine need to protect yourself, avoid sudden movements and loads, to dress warmly, avoid draughts and wear a special support corset, which you must provide in a sanatorium. A week to five treatments, but only the standard course of underwater traction therapy includes up to fifteen procedures. After treatment, it is necessary for one and a half to two months to continue to wear the corset and sleep on an orthopedic mattress.

Indications for use contraindications

Underwater traction therapy is used as auxiliary methods of treatment of the following diseases:

• A herniated disc;
• Lumbalgia with neurological symptoms;
• Violations of the flexibility and dexterity of freedom of the spine;

• Scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and sciatica;

• Root compression;
• The flattening of the lumbar lordosis;

• The initial stages of ankylosing spondylitis;

• Compressive radiculopathy;
• Discogenic sciatica;
• Progressive spondylosis and spondylothesis.

Contraindications for underwater spine traction

Underwater spine traction is contraindicated in the following cases:

• During the acute stage of the inflammatory process with pronounced pain syndrome;
• When the sequestered herniated disc and compression of the "horse tail";
• Over the age of 60 years and body weight over 100 kg;
• At the stage of rehabilitation after a laminectomy;

• If instability of the spine, osteoporosis, fractures;

• On the background of inflammatory diseases of the intervertebralspace (arachnoiditis, adhesive epidurit);
• In the presence of tumors of any etiology and tuberculous spondylitis;

• Patients with severe cardiac and/or pulmonary failure, as well as the presence of skin diseases, eliminating contact with water.

Spinal traction therapeutic Mat Detensor

Turning to methods autogravitation horizontal stretching of the spine, will discuss in detail on the most efficient equipment for these purposes. Talking about therapeutic mate German production Detensor, which have helped thousands of people worldwide to get rid of painful back pain the natural and safe way.

If you have a disc herniation, your doctor probably recommended that you sleep on a special orthopedic mattress. But the Detensor-Mat is more than just a mattress because its design is much more complex and perfect. Therapeutic Detensor-Mat was invented in 1980 by a German physiotherapist Kurt Cyleina, and since then has undergone several changes, which made it perfect.

Lying and sleep on this Mat bring the patient with a sick spine triple benefit:

• The distance between the vertebrae increases, and with it weakens the pressure on pinched nerves, spinal traction occurs much more slowly and carefully than when using vertical techniques;
• Massage paravertebral muscles, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, accelerates the filling and restoration of intervertebral discs;
• To create comfortable conditions for rest and sleep in any position, the limbs don't fall asleep, the person wakes up rested and full of energy.

What is the principle therapeutic action of the therapeutic Mat? Therapeutic Detensor-Mat is a plane on which a specially designed corners are the edges of elastic and resilient material. When you lie down on the Mat, the ribs bend and simultaneously move apart, that provides the effect of gentle stretching of the spine. No matter how you tossed and turned during sleep, the therapeutic edges of the Mat will provide a comfortable bearing point for your body and maintain it in a physiologically correct position.

A significant part of life a person spends in a dream, and all this time on his spine from the force for approximately one quarter of the total body mass. A vacation on the therapeutic Mat allows to reduce the burden by up to 5-7%.It is also noteworthy that the Detensor-Mat is available with three options of stiffness: for people with a large weight for patients of normal build and for young children.

Sleep on the therapeutic Mat is indicated for the following pathologies:

• Compression fractures;
• Scoliosis, osteoporosis, low back pain;

• Protrusion and hernia of the intervertebral discs;

• Posture;
• Fatigue from intense physical activity;

• Chronic headaches and migraines.

Contraindications therapeutic Mat Detensor no.

Gravity boots for traction of the spine

There is a more mobile, easy and affordable equipment for stretching of the spine is gravity boots. They represent a wide and soft detachable cuffs fixed around the leg with adjustable straps. On the sole of gravity boots have a special mount, which you can use to securely fasten the legs on the crossbar of the conventional horizontal bar and hang upside down without fear of falling.

This inventory can be found in the Arsenal of many professional athletes, as well as among the medical equipment of the sanatorium-resort establishments and Wellness centers. To use the shoes very easily, plus they quickly and effectively relieve fatigue. Regular hovering on the bar upside down forms a beautiful posture, relieves headaches and muscle spasms, prolongs youthfulness of the back and entire body. But how useful is such a boot, people with bad backs?

As gravity boots save you from back pain? Hovering on shoes relates to methods autogravitation vertical stretching of the spine, and exercises on inversion exerciser, but it works quite differently. The body though has an effect only gravity and its own weight, but in the back there is no support in the form of a rigid table. Therefore, the traction effect stronger. The distance between the vertebrae increases spinal discs fill with fluid and straightened, the pressure on the nerve roots weaken, and the pain recedes. But on the positive effects you can expect only those people whose spine healthy.

Contraindications: hoveringgravity boots are strictly contraindicated for patients with a herniated disc in the acute stage, with osteoporosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis and other disorders of the spine. To use this device without consulting with your doctor and a thorough examination is not recommended to anyone, since hanging upside down can cause damage to ligaments and intervertebral discs, and aggravation of existing problems. Also, remember that gravity boots – this is Wellness sports equipment, purpose of use, which is not the treatment of herniated discs and relieve fatigue and maintain good physical shape.

Home method of stretching of the spine

Simulator for horizontal stretching of the spine can be done at home from a regular bed. But immediately warned that despite the simplicity and harmlessness of this form of traction therapy may be unsafe under certain types of herniated discs, so before you turn on Kulibina, ask your doctor for advice.

To make home simulator you will need:

• Single bed with headboard;
• Two bricks or a piece of wood the same height;

• Straps from an old backpack or just loops of straps or ropes;

• A large towel or blanket.

Put bricks under the legs at the head of the bed, the hinges and lock on the sides, lie on bed, put your arms through the loops to the shoulders, rolled with a roller towel is placed under the lower back and in this position try to lie some hours. It is very important that you not feel discomfort, that is, the straps should be long enough to avoid crashing into the armpits, and the back pain should subside, not on the contrary increase. If the positive effect was not achieved in 3-4 treatments, you need to stop the treatment, it doesn't suit you.

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Contraindications and risks of stretching of the spine, hernia

The human skeleton is designed so that during the stretching in the first stretching facet joints of the spine, and particularly in the lumbar and cervical departments. Let's see what happens at this point inside the intervertebral discs?

The annulus is deformed unevenly in the rear sectionsstretched and the front, on the contrary, are narrowed, because the traction causes the vertebrae to get closer to the front edges. If you imagine a horizontal section of the spine in this situation, it will have a wedge shape with the top sticking out of the back. Jelly-like contents of the intervertebral discs flows from the compressed anterior to the vacant rear. But if the back wall of the fibrous ring is not quite flexible (as it happens to people with bad backs), they overload and rupture with subsequent protrusion of the intervertebral nucleus. But this is a hernia!

Important! Spinal traction by itself promotes the formation of micro-cracks and microreserves in posterolateral and the posterior portions of the fibrous ring, i.e., increases the risk of protrusion and hernia, from which the patient and trying to get rid of with the traction.

Supporters of traction therapy is readily enumerate its advantages:

• Increasing the height of the discs;
• Extension foraminal openings;
• Eliminating pressure on the nerve roots;
• Neutralization of venous stasis;
• Acceleration of microcirculation of blood and lymph.

But they somehow forget to mention that all of these effects hold only until the facet joints are in the stretched condition. As soon as the procedure of extension is complete, the patient gets on his feet, and his spine will take the same form. However, the fibrous ring by that time will hyperinflate, and even damaged. Elementary laws of physics say that the stretching of the spine, hernia of intervertebral disk has only a temporary analgesic effect, which will inevitably be a deterioration of health.

Important! "Dry" hardware and methods of stretching of the spine with protrusions and hernias of intervertebral disc is absolutely contraindicated, because they cause further extrusion of the intervertebral discs, which lead to the increase of hernial protrusion and repeated disc herniation.

Is it possible to change the traction of the spine by hanging on the bar?

In conclusion, talking about the stretching of the spine let us discuss the easiest method autogravitation vertical – hover on the bar with your feet. Forthis exercise does not need any special tools or skills, so that some domestic doctors right recommend to their patients with herniated disc to go to the Playground or stadium, and hang on a horizontal bar, - say, the pain will go away. Is it a good Board?

No matter which spine you have a herniation in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar, hovering on the bar is bad, and here's why:

• For safe extension of the spine at each specific point should be affected by a force equal to not more than 10% of the total weight of the person. If you have a hernia of the lumbar, when you hover on the bar on the patient's intervertebral disc can pressure the weight of the entire lower part of your body, and it is not less than 30% of the total body mass. Hyperextension and microdamages under such a load almost inevitable;
• When you hang on hands, working the trapezius muscle is attached to bones at two points, and a kind of a diagonal of the trapezoid is the spine. Sagging under its own weight causes the trapezius muscle to decline, and the diagonal shortened, so you "pressed" the upper part of his spine. Herniation of the cervical and thoracic hovering on turntablist relief only causes increased pain.

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