Spinal Traction - Is It Effective?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Spinal traction

Spinal traction is one of the most effective, but also the most controversial, methods of treating spinal pathologies. In some diseases, stretching brings quick relief and accelerates recovery, while in others it only exacerbates the problem. How justified is the treatment of an intervertebral hernia with spinal traction? There is still no consensus on this matter in the medical community. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the arguments of the supporters and opponents of this technique in order to form your own opinion.

The stretching of the spine in the direction of exposure is divided into three types:

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

By the type of impact, traction is of two types:

• Autogravity - under its own weight;
• Hardware - with the help of special devices and weights.

And, finally, according to the conditions of exposure, stretching of the spine is:

• "Dry" - the procedure is performed indoors or outdoors;
• "Wet" - the procedure is carried out in water.

We will tell you in detail about all types of spinal traction, as well as the relevance of each specific technique in the treatment of herniated discs.

When can spinal traction be applied?

Proponents of this technique argue that traction creates a pressure drop in the intervertebral space and, thereby, promotes the "suction" of the hernia. And opponents believe that stretching, on the contrary, provokes an increase in hernia and the formation of new protrusions, since this effect, especially with careless use, leads to stretching of tissues and damage to fibrous fibers.

Whom to believe, after all, both opinions are not unfounded? The truth is that each person is unique, and it is possible to make a decision regarding the choice of a method for treating an intervertebral hernia only after a thorough examination and identification of all accompanying problems. This disease most often affects people of mature age, with worn out bones and cartilaginous tissue, a weakened muscle corset, and even with more serious pathologies: osteoporosis, radiculitis, osteochondrosis. That is why only a qualified and experienced specialist can answer the question of whether it is possible for you to treat a herniated disc by spinal traction.

Content:

• Spinal traction with inversion machines
• Underwater traction traction of the spine
• Spinal traction with Detensor therapy mat
• Spine traction gravity boots
• Home method of spinal traction
• Contraindications and risks of spinal traction with a hernia
• Is it possible to replace spinal traction by hanging on a horizontal bar?

Spinal traction with inversion machines

Inversion is turning a person upside down to redistribute pressure to the spine. This simple and effective technique has been known to mankind since the time of the legendary Hippocrates, who documented its essence in his writings: four centuries BC, doctors tied patients with back pain behind the knees and ankles to a ladder, and then turned it over 180 ° C. Now there are many convenient devices with the help of which any person can carry out inversion traction of the spine at home.

Reasonable use of inversion traction of the spine allows you to achieve several positive effects at once:

• Relieve back pain;
• Slow down the aging of the intervertebral discs;
• Align your posture;
• Stimulate blood circulation and nervous interaction;
• Avoid decreasing growth with age due to decompression;
• Eliminate congestion in internal organs;
• Train the vestibular apparatus;
• Relieve muscle pain and fatigue after sports training;
• Prevent and reduce the effects of varicose veins and cellulite;
• Provide the best possible oxygen supply to the brain.

How does it work? The inversion machine is a sturdy, flat table top with handrails, leg bindings and a high support that the machine rotates against. Doctors recommend exercising on an inversion table for 10 minutes a day, starting at a 25 ° C incline and gradually increasing to 180 ° C, that is, upside down.

In addition to hanging upside down, you can do the following simple exercises on the inversion machine:

• In an inverted position, stretch your hips up or slightly bend your knees;
• Having fixed the legs, put your hands behind your head or on your chest and raise the body by 30 ° C relative to the table surface, moreover, the more the simulator is turned over, the greater the load on the muscles;
• In the upside-down position, keep your arms pressed along the body and try to "squat the other way around", that is, pull your hips to your feet;
• The most effective inversion machine exercise for herniated discs is rotation, you just need to fix your legs, turn upside down, and then use the handrail to rotate 90 ° C in one direction or the other.

What is the effectiveness of this spinal traction? Strictly speaking, classes on the inversion table are not an independent method for treating herniated discs. Such training promotes a speedy recovery, prevents an increase in protrusions and their transition to a herniated disc. Inversion therapy works well when combined with other conservative hernia treatments. And those patients who have an acute inflammatory process, or have concomitant pathologies of the spine, or the weight exceeds the permissible norm, should not be engaged on the inversion table. In any case, you should not start training without consulting your doctor.

Underwater traction traction of the spine

From "dry" methods of stretching the spine, we pass to "wet". The term "traction" literally means "stretching", respectively, underwater traction therapy is a set of measures for stretching the spine in conditions of immersion under water. How was this technique born, and why is it better than dry autogravitational methods?

Underwater spinal traction has several advantages:

• Water naturally supports a person, neutralizing the pressure of most of his mass on the spine, and also relaxes the muscles and ensures a more even distribution of the load during the procedure;
• Raising the temperature of the water and adding substances with a therapeutic effect to it allows you to achieve even greater relaxation and beneficial effects on the patient's health.

The essence of the underwater spine traction technique

The simultaneous action of traction and warm water gives a good effect in the treatment of intervertebral hernia, spondylosis, discogenic radiculitis, the initial stage of ankylosing spondylitis and many other pathologies of the spine. The procedure is carried out either in fresh water, or in natural mineral waters, or in artificially created medicinal baths with the addition of hydrogen sulfide, radon, sea salt and turpentine.

Each type of underwater traction therapy using medicinal waters has its own advantages:

• Turpentine and hydrogen sulfide baths effectively dilate blood vessels, stimulate blood circulation and lymph flow, improve skin condition, promote weight loss and eliminate cellulite, neutralize congestion in the body and most intensively relax muscles;
• Baths with sea salt are indicated for patients with thrombophlebitis, atherosclerosis, varicose veins and other vascular pathologies, since sodium chloride salts and iodine have a beneficial effect on the condition of veins and capillaries, strengthen their walls, increase elasticity and eliminate blood stagnation;
• Radon baths relieve pain well, therefore, they carry out traction therapy in patients with diseases of the spine, accompanied by severe pain syndrome (herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, sciatica, osteochondrosis).

Underwater traction of the spine is most important for lumbar intervertebral hernia, since a position in the water with legs extended forward immediately reduces lordosis and relieves radicular pain. Experts also note that this technique does little to help patients with very large intervertebral hernias (more than 6 cm), and has a more pronounced therapeutic effect on men than on women. Apparently, this is due to the fact that the average man has a better developed muscle corset, which supports his back after the procedure.

There are several types of underwater spinal traction:

• Vertical and horizontal;
• By simple sagging and with weights.

Vertical traction of the spine according to K. Moll's method

Underwater traction of the spine according to the Moll-Buchelberger method is precisely the treatment for which patients from all over Europe come to Hungarian resorts. The author himself, Dr. K. Moll (born 1953), calls this traction therapy "stress baths".

The National Institute of Rheumatology and the State Rheumatology Clinic of Saint André (Heviz) confirm the effectiveness of Moll's method and support their opinion with the results of numerous studies carried out over the years at the resorts of Hungary: in most patients, pain can be eliminated in the shortest possible time and a stable remission is ensured.

Domestic specialists speak more restrainedly about vertical underwater traction of the spine. In our country, such traction therapy is not used in any of the sanatoriums and health centers.

According to Russian physiotherapists and rheumatologists, this method is poorly suited for the treatment of a herniated disc for several reasons:

• The procedure increases intradiscal pressure too much, which is fraught with microtrauma and rupture of fibrous fibers;
• Load traction is not accurately regulated and dosed, moreover, it acts on the entire spine at once, and not only on the disc affected by the hernia;
• After the procedure, the patient has to get up on his feet and use exactly those muscles that at the moment must remain relaxed so that the therapeutic effect of traction is fixed.

Horizontal traction of the spine according to V. A. Lisunova

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

This method of traction is more gentle than vertical traction, as well as more modern, since the Lisunov installation allows you to calculate the load for each individual patient with an accuracy of a gram. Horizontal underwater traction according to Lisunov's method has been successfully used in many Russian clinics for twenty years, and clinical practice confirms its effectiveness in the treatment of herniated discs.

Recommendations for the use of underwater traction of the spine

Before you go to a sanatorium or a resort where there is an opportunity to attend underwater traction therapy procedures, be sure to consult with your doctor, undergo an X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging of the spine, and take the results with you to show the specialist there.

During the entire period of treatment of an intervertebral hernia using the method of underwater traction of the spine, you need to take care of yourself, avoid sudden movements and loads, dress warmly, avoid drafts and wear a special supporting corset, which you will probably be provided with in the sanatorium. Up to five procedures are performed per week, and in total, the standard course of underwater traction therapy includes up to fifteen procedures. After treatment, it is necessary to continue wearing a corset and sleeping on an orthopedic mattress for one and a half to two months.

Indications for the use of underwater traction of the spine

Underwater traction therapy is used as an adjunct treatment for the following diseases:

• Herniated disc;
• Lumbodynia with neurological symptoms;
• Violations of flexibility and limitations of motor freedom of the spine;
• Scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis and lumbar ischialgia;
• Root compression;
• Flattening of the lumbar lordosis;
• The initial stage of ankylosing spondylitis;
• Compression radiculopathy;
• Discogenic radiculitis;
• Progressive spondylosis and spondylosthesis.

Contraindications to underwater traction of the spine

Underwater traction of the spine is contraindicated in the following cases:

• At the acute stage of the inflammatory process with a pronounced pain syndrome;
• With sequestered herniated disc and compression of the cauda equina;
• Over the age of 60 and with a body weight of over 100 kg;
• At the stage of rehabilitation after laminectomy;
• With instability of the spine, osteoporosis, fractures;
• Against the background of inflammatory diseases of the intervertebral space (arachnoiditis, adhesive epiduritis);
• In the presence of tumors of any etiology and tuberculous spondylitis;
• In patients with severe heart and / or pulmonary insufficiency, as well as in the presence of skin diseases that exclude contact with water.

Spinal traction with Detensor therapy mat

Moving on to autogravitational horizontal methods of stretching the spine, let us dwell in detail on the most effective equipment for these purposes. We are talking about a German-made therapeutic mat Detensor, which has allowed thousands of people around the world to get rid of excruciating back pain in a natural and safe way.

If you have a herniated disc, your doctor probably recommended that you sleep on a special orthopedic mattress. But the Detensor mat is more than just a mattress, as its design is much more sophisticated and sophisticated. The Detensor therapy mat was invented in 1980 by German physiotherapist Kurt Kinlein and has since undergone several changes to make it perfect.

Lying and sleeping on this mat brings threefold benefits to the patient with a spinal cord:

• The distance between the vertebrae increases, and at the same time, the pressure on the pinched nerves weakens, the stretching of the spine occurs much more smoothly and gently than when using vertical techniques;
• The paravertebral muscles are massaged, blood supply and lymph flow are increased, filling and restoration of intervertebral discs is accelerated;
• Comfortable conditions are created for rest and sleep in any position, limbs do not become numb, a person wakes up rested and full of energy.

What is the principle of the therapeutic action of the therapeutic mat? The Detensor therapy mat is a plane on which ribs made of elastic and resilient material are located at specially calculated angles. When a person lies down on the mat, the ribs bend and at the same time move apart, which provides the effect of gentle stretching of the spine. Regardless of how you toss and turn during sleep, the ribs of the therapy mat will form a comfortable point support for your body and keep it in a physiologically correct position.

A person spends a significant part of his life in a dream, and all this time a force equal to about a quarter of the total body weight acts on his spine. Rest on a therapeutic mat allows you to reduce this load to 5-7%. It is also noteworthy that the Detensor mat is available in three hardness options: for people with heavy weight, for patients of normal build and for small children.

Sleeping on a therapeutic mat is indicated for the following pathologies:

• Compression fractures;
• Scoliosis, osteoporosis, osteochondrosis;
• Protrusion and herniated intervertebral discs;
• Posture disorders;
• Fatigue from intense physical activity;
• Chronic headaches and migraines.

The Detensor therapeutic mat has no contraindications.

Spine traction gravity boots

There is a more mobile, simple and affordable tool for stretching the spine - these are gravity boots. They are wide and soft, removable cuffs that are secured around the legs with adjustable straps. There is a special mount on the sole of gravity boots, with the help of which you can securely fix your legs on the bar of a regular horizontal bar and hang upside down without fear of falling.

Such equipment can be found in the arsenal of many professional athletes, as well as among the medical equipment of sanatorium-resort institutions and health centers. The shoes are very easy to use, and besides, they quickly and effectively relieve fatigue. Regular hanging upside down on the horizontal bar forms a beautiful posture, relieves headaches and muscle spasms, prolongs the youthfulness of the back and the whole body. But how useful are such boots for people with a sore spine?

How do gravity boots save you from back pain? Hanging on boots is an autogravitational vertical extension of the spine, just like the inversion trainer, but it works in a very different way. Although the body is influenced exclusively by the force of gravity and its own weight, there is no support under the back in the form of a rigid table. Therefore, the stretching effect is stronger. The distance between the vertebrae increases, the intervertebral discs fill with fluid and straighten, the pressure on the nerve roots decreases, and the back pain recedes. But only those people whose spine is practically healthy can count on a positive effect.

Contraindications: hanging on gravity boots is strictly contraindicated in patients with acute herniated discs, osteoporosis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis and other serious pathologies of the spine. It is not recommended for anyone to use this device without first consulting a doctor and a thorough examination, as hanging upside down can damage the ligaments and intervertebral discs and aggravate existing problems. Remember also that gravity boots are exactly health-improving sports equipment, the purpose of using which is not to treat a herniated disc, but to relieve fatigue and maintain good physical shape.

Home method of spinal traction

The horizontal spine traction machine can be made at home from a regular bed. But we must warn you right away that for all its simplicity and harmlessness, this type of traction therapy may be unsafe for some types of intervertebral hernia, so before turning on Kulibin, consult your doctor.

To make a home exercise machine, you will need:

• Single bed with headboard;
• Two bricks or wooden blocks of the same height;
• Straps from an old backpack or just loops made of belts or ropes;
• A large towel or blanket.

Place bricks under the legs at the head of the bed, fix the loops on the sides, lie on the bed, put your hands in the loops up to your shoulders, put a rolled-up towel under your lower back and try to lie in this position for several hours. It is very important that in the process you do not experience discomfort, that is, the straps should be long enough not to cut into the armpits, and the pain in the back should subside, and not vice versa, intensify. If a positive effect cannot be achieved in 3-4 procedures, you need to stop treatment, it does not suit you.

On the subject: The use of chondroprotectors for hernia - are they effective at all?

Contraindications and risks of spinal traction with a hernia

The human skeleton is designed in such a way that during stretching, the facet joints of the spine are first of all stretched, and especially strongly in the lumbar and cervical regions. Let's see what happens at this moment inside the intervertebral discs?

The fibrous rings are deformed unevenly: the posterior parts are stretched, and the anterior ones, on the contrary, are narrowed, because traction forces the vertebrae to approach the anterior edges. If you imagine a horizontal section of the spine in this situation, it will be in the shape of a wedge with the top sticking out of the back. The jelly-like contents of the intervertebral discs flow from the compressed anterior sections to the released posterior ones. And if the back walls of the fibrous rings are not elastic enough (as is the case in people with a diseased spine), they are overloaded and ruptured, followed by protrusion of the intervertebral nucleus. But this is a hernia!

Spinal traction by itself contributes to the formation of microcracks and microbreaks in the posterolateral and posterior parts of the fibrous rings, that is, increases the risk of protrusions and hernias, which the patient tries to get rid of with the help of traction.

Proponents of traction therapy willingly list its benefits:

• Increased disc height;
• Expansion of the foraminal opening;
• Elimination of pressure on nerve roots;
• Neutralization of venous stasis;
• Acceleration of microcirculation of blood and lymph.

But for some reason they forget to mention that all these effects last only while the facet joints are in a stretched state. As soon as the traction procedure is completed, the patient will stand on his feet and his spine will return to its previous shape. True, the fibrous rings by this time will already be overstretched, or even damaged. The elementary laws of physics say that traction of the spine with a herniated disc has only a temporary analgesic effect, which inevitably follows a deterioration in well-being.

"Dry" and hardware methods of stretching the spine with protrusions and hernias of the intervertebral disc are absolutely contraindicated, since they cause further extrusion of intervertebral discs, lead to an increase in hernial protrusion and repeated herniation.

Is it possible to replace spinal traction by hanging on a horizontal bar?

To conclude our conversation about stretching the spine, let's discuss the simplest vertical autogravitational method - hanging on a horizontal bar with your feet down. To perform this exercise, you do not need any special devices or skills, so some domestic doctors directly recommend that their patients with a herniated disc go to a playground or a stadium, and hang on a horizontal bar, they say, it will relieve pain like a hand. Is this good advice?

Regardless of which part of the spine you have a hernia - in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar, hanging on the horizontal bar is harmful, and here's why:

• For safe stretching of the spine, a force equal to no more than 10% of the total weight of a person must act on each specific point. If you have a hernia of the lumbar spine, then when hanging on a horizontal bar on a sore intervertebral disc, the weight of the entire lower part of your body will exert pressure, and this is at least 30% of the total body weight. Overstretching and microdamage under this load are almost inevitable;
• When you hang on your hands, the trapezius muscle works, which is attached to the bones at two points, and the spine acts as a kind of diagonal of this trapezoid. Sagging under its own weight causes the trapezius muscle to contract and the diagonal to shorten, which means that you "compress" the top of your spine. With a hernia of the cervical and thoracic regions, hanging on the horizontal bar instead of relief causes only increased pain.

On the subject: A set of the best exercises for lumbar hernia of the spine

The author of the article: Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich | c. m. n. surgeon, phlebologist

Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003 he received a diploma from the Educational and Scientific Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.