I thought I would follow-up on last months topic "Whiplash: A Pain in the Neck," with a treatment option, Spinal Traction, that is a safe and effective treatment for whiplash and other spinal injuries.
 
What is Spinal Traction?
 
References to Skeletal traction techniques in the relief of pain have been found all the way back to ancient Egypt.  Spinal traction is a treatment based on the application of a longitudinal force to the axis of the spinal column. In other words, parts of the spinal column are "pulled" in opposite directions in order to stabilize or change the position of damaged aspects of the spine and to relieve pressure on spinal nerves.  Spinal traction can be performed to any area of the spinal column, from the cervical (neck) area to the lumbar (low back) area.  Cervical traction (traction to the neck region) has been shown to relieve headaches and pain due to general soft tissue stiffness.
 
What are the Indications for Spinal Traction?  
 
Some of the most common indications are: A) Herniated disc; B) Radiculopathy (pain that radiates from the spine to one's arm or leg); C) Any condition in which mobilization and stretching of soft tissue is desired; D) Any condition in which opening the neural foramen is desired; E) Muscle Spasm.
 
Herniated Disc and Radiculopathy
 
Perhaps the most common reason for cervical or lumbar traction is from injuries to the vertebral disc. Radicular symptoms, such as pain, numbness, tingling in one's arm or leg can be the result of an injured vertebral disc that is bulging, or from the more serious herniated disc. Evidence shows that traction has a decompressing effect on the disc and the associated spinal nerves, therefore lessening or relieving radicular symptoms. In actual clinical practice, spinal traction is combined with manual therapy and stretches to form a comprehensive approach to optimize effectiveness and allow patients to self-manage their condition as soon as possible.
 

 

How is Spinal Traction Applied?
 
Traction devices are designed to apply either cervical or lumbar traction.  A harness is affixed to either the neck or the pelvis and attached to an electronic or pneumatic device that is set to apply the desired amount of force.  Treatment times will vary from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the condition being treated.  Good home cervical and lumbar traction devices are now available that allow the patient to recover and self manage their condition quicker than ever.
 
In conclusion, spinal traction is a method of decompressing vertebral discs and the associated spinal nerves. This decompression decreases the irritability of nerves that cause pain, numbness, tingling, and spasm.  Spinal traction has been successfully used to alleviate pain for centuries because it works!  You need not put up with radicular symptoms.  Know that relief is on the way!  Contact the Chesapeake Physical and Aquatic Therapy location nearest you and one of our Physical Therapists will design a treatment plan specifically for you that may include spinal traction.