The development of spinal diseases is almost always caused by a decrease in the distance between the vertebrae. Therefore, the first and main method of treating most of these diseases is traction or traction therapy. Using this method, scoliosis, osteochondrosis, hernias of the intervertebral discs are treated . The purpose of the procedure is to reduce stress and relax the muscles of the spine, return to normal condition of the ligamentous apparatus, tendons and capsules of the joints.
Traction
traction of the spine helps to overcome muscle retraction (resistance that can lead to deformation), gradually stretching the muscles and making the distances between the vertebrae a little more. That allows you to improve blood circulation in the affected areas, to achieve a relaxing effect for the muscles, to normalize motor functions.
Depending on the plane in which the traction is carried out, horizontal and vertical traction are distinguished. In addition, procedures can take place in water, which contributes to a softer traction. If the procedure is carried out without immersion in water, then the method is called dry traction traction of the spine. Often they use various devices: blocks, rings, belts, special beds and chairs.
Dry traction methods
Dry traction traction of the spine can be carried out on a standard functional bed. For this, the head part rises to a height of about half a meter, a wide strap is carried through the chest and armpits, is fixed on the back at the level of the body. You can fix the position using special soft rings, which also pass through the armpits. Another device with which dry traction traction of the spine is carried out is special tables with a movable shield sliding on small rollers. This method is much more effective, as it provides stronger traction.
After the end of traction, unloading of the spine is necessary for at least 2 (minimum 1.5) hours (this time is preferably spent lying down). Water or dry traction traction of the spine will be more effective if you use unloading orthopedic corsets. Wearing a corset provides a reduction in the load on the spine, but a prerequisite for its prolonged use is the simultaneous massage and therapeutic exercises to prevent weakening of the muscles of the spine.
Like every treatment method, not everyone is shown spinal traction. Contraindications are quite extensive and serious. Traction is not recommended for severe atherosclerotic manifestations of blood vessels, for hypertension in the stage of decompensation, for angina pectoris and pronounced vegetative-vascular dystonia, for exacerbations of various chronic diseases and mental illnesses.
Traction is a serious procedure that should be prescribed by a doctor and take place only under the supervision of a specialist: there are still numerous contraindications of a special nature that only a specialist can take into account.