Why Are the Modern Day Traction Devices Outdated?
Which is better, traction therapy or spinal decompression therapy? In this section, we will go over both, to give you a better understanding of spinal decompression therapy as rendered through the RxDecom®.
Linear traction is the modern day traction device whose force is applied in a straight line, that is, therapeutic forces given through a sudden single or multistage pull. This system of treatment is almost as old as back pain itself, dating back some 2000 years. Linear traction ranges from hanging upside down to various “rack” type devices that stretch the body and back.
In short, when faced with traction therapy or spinal decompression therapy, chose spinal decompression therapy. It provides better clinical outcomes because it can reverse a herniated disc as proven through the use of the RxDecom®.
Moder-day traction that treats through a linear pull is the most outdated of all traction devices
The modern-day traction pull is given from a range of sudden single stage “pull and releases” to sudden multistage “pull and releases”. Whatever the setting may be, linear traction is still force applied in a straight line. In a linear traction device, there are no sensors monitoring the patient, therapy, or the therapeutic forces. As a result, the therapy is given usually evokes the body’s protective response by triggering muscular tension and causing excitation of nociceptors to the point where the therapy is painful and perhaps even harmful to the patient.
The Basics of Spinal Decompression is a Non-linear Pull
Non-linear traction, or spinal decompression as given by the RxDecom®, is applied in a smooth arc that gradually builds to the preprogrammed tension over a predetermined period of time as dictated by patient condition. The forces applied are directed, monitored and controlled through an array of high-tech sensors that monitors not only the therapy but also patient response to the therapy. RxDecom® is the latest form of spinal rehabilitation. It has great therapeutic value and is made possible only through the recent technological advancements in medicine, IT and robotic engineering.
Spinal Decompression Therapy Lowers the Intradiscal Pressure
Intradiscal pressure increases with load-bearing activities. Any time this value exceeds diastolic blood pressure, infusion of nutrients and oxygen into the disc stops. According to medical research, decompression therapy significantly decreases the intradiscal pressure to negative levels in the range of –100 to –160mm Hg [1]. Such negative pressure would encourage fluid entry; a needed component for restoring discal hydration and retraction [2].
The study above documents the beneficial effects of non-surgical spinal decompression. Through decompression therapy, we can now induce inward diffusion of fluids and nutrients to aid the repair of damaged discal tissue.
Reference:
- Ramos G, Marin w,: Effects of Vertebral Axial Decompression on Intradiscal (Vax-D) Pressure. Journal of Neurosurgery 81:350-353 1994.
- Eyerman E: Reduction, Rehydration and Repair of the Herniated Lumbar Disc. Research presentation at the 21st Annual meeting of the American Society of Neuroimaging, 1998.
