Traction/Decompression

Your spine provides support for your body. It consists of bones called vertebrae, with ligaments and spinal disks that keep it flexible. Your spinal column provides a nerve pathway that runs down the middle of these bones, ligaments and disks. 

Spine injuries or degeneration (wear and tear) to your spine can cause pain. You might feel pain from compression in your spine that puts pressure on your spinal cord or nerves. Spinal decompression seeks to relieve the pressure to ease the pain. 

Spinal traction is a non-surgical way to relieve pain and correct problems in the spine. 

Traction

Spinal traction is a form of decompression therapy that relieves pressure on the spine. It can be performed manually or mechanically. This treatment stretches the spine to take pressure off compressed discs. This straightens the spine and improves the body’s ability to heal itself. 

In manual spinal traction, a physical therapist uses their hands to put people in a state of traction. Then they use manual force on the joints and muscles to widen the spaces between vertebrae.

In mechanical spinal traction, you will lie on a table that has special tools to stretch the spine. A series of ropes, slings, and pulleys will be attached to your body to mechanically relieve pressure. 

The results of spinal traction include pain relief, proper spinal alignment, and decompressed joints. Spinal traction stretches the muscles and bones in the back to combat the effects of gravity. Under the right circumstances, this could significantly improve the way you move and feel throughout the day.

“What Conditions Can Spinal Decompression Treat?” 

• Bulging discs – when a cushion between vertebra bulges out
• Degenerative discs – when the cushion between vertebra starts wearing out
• Herniated discs – when part of a disc pushes on a nerve
• Pinched nerves – when a nerve gets pinched (compressed), causing numbness, pain, or tingling
• Sciatica – damage to your sciatic nerve
• Spinal stenosis – narrowing of spaces in your spine die to bone spurs or bulging or herniated discs