Traction of the spine is one of the main conditions for the treatment of the most common pathologies of the supporting column - osteochondrosis, curvature and hernial protrusions.
History reference
This method was used by the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean, India and some European countries. In the 5th century BC, traction treatment was called rachitotherapy, which was practiced by the ancient Greek healer Hippocrates.
Much has changed since then, but some techniques have survived to this day. For example, the so-called “Hippocratic pose”, when the spine is stretched with the help of four assistants. During this procedure, the patient lies on his stomach, two physician assistants pull him by the arms, and two by the legs. It was in this way that many diseases of the musculoskeletal system were treated then.
Targets and goals
The main goal of traction traction is to eliminate functional blocks and spasms of deep muscles, as well as to restore the mechano-physiological functions of all tissues by influencing the spinal motion segment and paravertebral (paravertebral) structures - muscles, ligaments and tendons, joint capsules.
Traction therapy of the spine is one of the methods of non-surgical treatment of pathologies and injuries, including their consequences in the form of deformities, destructive changes and contractures of the joints. With the help of short-term or long-term traction, muscle resistance (retraction) is overcome, and a gradual stretching of a specific area is carried out.
As a result of the treatment, the gaps between the bodies of the vertebrae increase, and pathological muscle tension decreases. Since excessive pressure between the intervertebral discs disappears, protrusions and hernias decrease. This is due to the occurrence of a suction force, which contributes to the return of the extruded substance to the anatomical boundaries.
In the treatment of fractures and dislocations, Hippocrates used a special bench, which served as a prototype for modern orthopedic traction tables.
The essence of the procedure is the longitudinal extension of the spinal column, during which the position of the vertebrae and discs is aligned, and the vertical size of the spinal foramina increases. If a pinched nerve occurs, then compression is eliminated by traction, which saves the patient from excruciating pain. The decompressing effect is also enhanced by the reduction of subluxations of the intervertebral joints.
Types and features
There are several modern methods of skeletal traction - dry, hardware and underwater. In addition, traction can be performed horizontally, vertically and in an inclined plane. Depending on the indications, traction forces can be directed to the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.
You can carry out traction yourself or with the help of doctors. The mode of exposure can be constant or intermittent, with interruptions. Dry traction is performed by a chiropractor using special equipment, sometimes additional weights are used.
Vertical traction is prescribed for patients with injuries of the cervical region, horizontal traction is indicated for the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in the thoracic and lumbar segments.
The most sparing, “soft” way is underwater traction, since water at a comfortable temperature helps to relax the muscles. This is especially true for osteochondrosis. A complex of hydroprocedures is used in patients with scoliosis only without exacerbation or in the absence / mild severity of pain syndrome.
With such a serious illness as Bechterew's disease, therapy necessarily includes therapeutic exercises and stretching exercises.
Underwater extraction is very effective when it is necessary to restore the structure of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc in the thoracic, lumbosacral segment. However, a more effective method is hardware therapy.
Who is shown
Spinal traction in one of the ways is prescribed for the following conditions:
- early stages of ankylosing spondylitis, including its "Scandinavian" variety, subject to the preservation of mobility and the absence of ankylosis;
- pseudospondylolisthesis - prolapse of a vertebra by no more than one third in the thoracic and lumbar segment, for the cervical region, the critical deviation indicator is 1/5 of the size of the vertebral body;
- bruises, dislocations and fractures of the vertebrae;
- fissures of the fibrous ring, protrusions, accompanied by radicular syndrome;
- infringement of capsules of intervertebral joints;
- radiculo-ischemic syndrome due to the influence of mechanical factors, when the spinal canal remains unchanged and wide enough;
- osteochondrosis.
Glisson's loop can be purchased separately to be treated at home, but only after consultation with the doctor
Indications for traction almost completely coincide with indications for manual therapy. When prescribing a particular method, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the patient's health and the presence of contraindications.
Standard dry drawing method
Hanging on the horizontal bar is useful at any age
Dry traction can be carried out on a vertical or inclined board, as well as on a special couch equipped with belts, cables and rollers. Vertical traction traction involves the use of the so-called Glisson loop. The patient sits in a chair, to the back of which a stand is attached, and a semicircle-shaped bar is fixed.
Blocks and a cable are attached to both edges of the bar, which is attached to the loop. The classic Glisson loop is a strip of thick fabric with holes for the ears. It covers the chin from below, the head - on the sides and in the occipital region. Strictly dosed efforts aimed at stretching are applied to the ends of the loop.
The first sessions are carried out with a minimum weight of the load, then it is gradually increased, but at the final sessions the weight is again reduced to the initial values.
Horizontal traction is carried out on couches or traction tables, the angle of inclination is adjustable and can be from 15 to 40 °. The patient is placed on his back or stomach, then he is fixed with straps and soft rings where necessary. During the procedure, rollers run along the spine.
After the end of the session, you can not get up immediately, you need to lie down for a while in a horizontal position. In the next two hours, the load should be gentle, so walking is only allowed in an orthopedic corset. This will help protect the vertebrae from unwanted displacement. If it is impossible to wear a corset, the patient is advised to lie still for at least 1.5 hours.
Hardware technique
Currently, hardware traction is increasingly used - electronic simulators. In this case, all the necessary parameters - the degree of tension, the weight of the load and the procedure time - are set automatically. Traction of the spine at home on simulators should be carried out only as prescribed by the attending physician and under his control.
Modern devices are of several types:
- stationary installations that can be found in specialized clinics or sanatoriums. They allow dry and underwater extraction, partially or fully automated. All procedures are supervised by a qualified specialist;
- portable devices, for example, the Panacea simulator - suitable for home therapy for patients of any size;
- system health simulator NT 01, when using which there is a multiple compression and stretching of the vertebral structures. Especially effective for curvature of the spine in childhood. When planning the purchase of this device, you need to consider specifications, since the device is able to withstand a load of not more than 120 kg. For patients whose weight exceeds this figure, special items of enhanced modification are made;
- autogravity simulator Gravetrin of domestic production can be used both in the clinic and at home. The principle of its operation is quite simple - the spine is stretched under the pressure of its own body weight.
Possibilities of underwater traction
Traction of the spine in water is a relatively new technique for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It requires a special mobile platform equipped with fixing straps and located in a pool or tub of water.
When traction is carried out in water, the risk of spinal injury is significantly reduced; treatment by this method is widely used in sanatoriums of resort areas
According to the indications, the procedures can be carried out in hydrogen sulfide, radon, turpentine and iodine-bromine baths. Radon baths are usually prescribed during the period of acute pain, in the presence of problems with venous circulation, it is preferable to carry out traction in sodium chloride water.
An important condition is the temperature of the water, which should not be lower than 32-35 ° - the most comfortable for relaxation. First, the patient is simply in the water for 5-7 minutes, then he is fixed on a frame or shield. During the first session, weights are not used, the therapeutic effect is achieved only due to the weight of one's own body. The procedure time is no more than 6 minutes.
With good tolerance, with each subsequent procedure, the weight of the load increases by 1-2 kg, and the duration - by 1 minute. The greatest weight for women is 8-10 kg, for men - 15-18 kg. The maximum total duration of the procedure can be up to 12 minutes.
Upon reaching these indicators, the load is reduced in reverse order. Since the full course of treatment averages 10 procedures (1 time in two days), the peak load falls approximately on the 5th session, and starting from the 6th, the intensity of traction decreases.
After traction, the patient is left in the water for 5-6 minutes, after which a smooth rise from the pool to a horizontal position begins. As with any traction procedure, you need to lie down for another hour, and only then get on your feet. Further, the spine is necessarily fixed with an orthopedic belt or corset.
It is important to know that spinal traction is a serious undertaking, which is recommended only in medical institutions with appropriate equipment and qualified personnel. Professional skills and knowledge, combined with practical experience, must be complemented by an individual and caring attitude towards the patient. In this case, the risk of undesirable consequences is minimal.
Dry traction of the spinal column is a corrective, analgesic and antispasmodic therapeutic procedure. It is used at various stages of ailments with the presence of degenerative-dystrophic pathologies, also accompanied by radicular syndrome.
Let's talk today about this technique in more detail: about its application, indications and contraindications, the process itself. Let's see how patients who have undergone a course of rehabilitation speak about this rather unusual procedure.
This is enough effective method treatment and rehabilitation, which is used to eliminate compression of the intervertebral discs and neurovascular bundles of the human spinal column. Skeletal traction of the spine is a way of stretching it along the longitudinal axis in order to move the intervertebral discs apart from each other and align its axial location in the frontal plane.
The purpose of this technique is to restore the anatomically correct shape of the spine skeleton and to fix the achieved effect for a long time.
Dry hood is both horizontal and vertical. The technique itself is carried out using both the patient's own weight and additional weights, on special traction tables for spinal traction.
The impact of traction can be carried out both on the entire vertebral column, and only on its separate section with pathological changes.
Indications for traction spinal traction
Doctors usually prescribe this traction procedure for:
- back pain;
- spinal injury;
- radicular syndrome;
- herniated intervertebral discs;
- headaches;
- limb weakness;
- insomnia;
- deforming spondylosis;
- memory problems.
In addition to patients with the above ailments, traction traction is recommended for the following categories of people:
- drivers and people who spend a lot of time behind the wheel;
- athletes involved in professional sports;
- those who spend more than four hours a day at the computer;
- who underwent operations on the musculoskeletal system, who are at the rehabilitation stage.
Contraindications
Dry traction has a number of contraindications:
- acute stages of any disease;
- oncological pathologies;
- osteoporosis;
- skin diseases;
- condition after surgery laminectomy;
- pathology of the cardiovascular system, the presence of a pacemaker;
- urolithiasis of the kidneys;
- active infectious process;
- epilepsy;
- inflammatory processes (arachnoiditis, epiduritis);
- instability of the vertebrae themselves;
- violation of the spinal blood flow;
- obesity (body weight over 100 kg);
- pregnancy;
- sequestered hernias;
- elderly age;
If during the procedure severe discomfort or pain intensifies, the procedure should be stopped immediately. And, in no case do not experiment with stretching the spine, for example, with a hernia, at home. This could end badly.
Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure
Let's talk about the dangers and benefits of the spine stretching process. After all, before deciding on such a procedure, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons.
Efficiency
Traction therapy of the spine is used to increase the intervertebral space, reduce the pressure of discs on the nerves and blood vessels that run from the spinal cord to all limbs and internal organs of a person.
Stretching the spine contributes to:
- Blood and lymph circulation of the spine sections that have undergone pathologies.
- Removal of puffiness.
- Relief from pain.
- Improved gliding of joints.
- Restoration of the general mobility of the vertebrae.
- Restoration of damaged tissues of intervertebral discs.
- Improving the activities of the central nervous system as well as peripheral.
- The release of pinched nerve endings, as a result of stretching of the spine in the presence of a hernia.
Also, the advantage of the technique we are considering, undoubtedly, is the low cost of the session.
About cons
The main disadvantage of dry traction is an extensive list of contraindications to the use of this procedure. The disadvantages include weak muscle relaxation and a high load on the vertebrae, which can later lead to complications.
The vertical method is especially dangerous, since the patient himself must be in the same position without moving. If he moves his head while stretching the cervical skeleton of the spine, he can pinch the intervertebral disc.
It is also worth understanding that traction is only an additional measure. In the presence of a disease, this will not replace drug therapy and physiotherapy exercises.
After the spine traction procedure, in the presence of scoliosis, it may be necessary to wear a special restraint corset. And when treating lumbosacral pathology, bed rest is required.
How is the procedure
When prescribing traction traction of the spine, the following are always taken into account:
- age and gender;
- the state of human health;
- his physical fitness.
This procedure is carried out using special traction couches. The patient is placed on the back or abdomen. And special grips, consisting of belts and belts, fix his head (for traction of the cervical spine), or shoulders and thoracic region (when the spine is stretched with a hernia of the lumbar or thoracic). From below, the patient is also fixed with a belt in the lumbosacral part of the spinal column.
Then, weights of different weights are attached to the belt clamp. The load on the spinal column, as well as exact time session is determined solely by the attending physician. When the course is just beginning, skeletal traction is performed in minimal doses, then increased, and by the end of the course, again reduced to a minimum.
After completing this session, the patient should rest without changing the position of his body, but without weights. Then, for another two hours, he should move only in a special elastic corset. This will help protect the spine even from small concussions, which are simply inevitable when the body moves.
Well, if the person himself does not want to put on a corset for some reason, then he will definitely need to lie down for at least one and a half to two hours additionally? after the pull process is complete.
Vertical stretch
Vertical traction of the spine is performed using the Yumashev and Popelyansky methods. The procedure itself is carried out using a special Glisson loop.
A rack is installed to the chair (its back) and a bar is fixed in a shape resembling a rocker. A cable and blocks are attached to the horizontal ends of the bar. Then this cable is attached to the Glisson loop itself and to a load of a certain weight. With each session, the weight of this load and the time of the procedure on the cervical spine increases.
Horizontal stretch
The process of horizontal dry traction of the spinal column is carried out on an exhaust table for the spine with an inclination angle of 15 to 25 degrees. The patient himself is fixed with longitudinal straps and special soft rings. And rollers run along the very spine. This is a mechanical method.
On the this moment for dry stretching of the spine, in most cases, electronic simulators are used. On them, all the parameters of the required load are set by the electronics itself. The course of such therapy can last from 5 to 15 procedures. Its duration is also determined by the attending physician. 
What after
It is also worth noting that simply drawing out the skeleton of the spine will not be enough. It is also important to fix it, now correct from the point of view of physiology, position, and the result itself. For this, a whole complex of various wellness procedures has been developed that follow the hood: all kinds of massages, myostimulation, physiotherapy exercises, etc.
Diseases of the spine tried to treat in ancient Greece. Today, this procedure is carried out using modern technologies but is still controversial.
Before starting exercises on the horizontal bar, the body needs to be warmed up. After warming up, you can start stretching.
- Keep your hands shoulder-width apart, head looking straight.
- You can not make sudden movements or jump from the horizontal bar.
- Spinal traction sessions can last from a few minutes to two hours.
- The recommended number of procedures is 18-20.
The effect obtained should be preserved, for this it is necessary to visit a massage and do exercises. Sometimes there is a need to wear a corset. Also, within two months after power traction, you should avoid physical activity especially on the back.
Underwater traction of the spine
Thanks to water, the stretching process itself is facilitated, the muscles relax and tension subsides. Underwater spinal traction considered more effective methodology how dry traction. Separate horizontal and vertical traction. For this, fresh and mineral water is used. In turn, mineral water may contain
- chloride;
- sodium;
- turpentine;
- radon;
- hydrogen sulfide.
In water, a person copes better with his body, especially for overweight people.
How vertical underwater traction works:
- the patient is suspended and fixed in the pool;
- a load is tied to the pelvis, gradually increasing its weight;
- then the weight decreases and increases again;
- railings, circles and other devices are also used;
- the depth of the pool is about 2 meters;
- the average duration of the procedure is 7 minutes;
- with each session, the weight of the load increases;
Horizontal traction is carried out in special baths.
Contraindications to the procedure:
- pathology of the kidneys and liver;
- circulatory disorders of the spinal cord;
- postoperative period;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- disorders in the gallbladder.
Water therapy helps to reduce pain in sciatica, has a positive effect on the spine in scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis, relieves stress from the ligaments of the spine.
How can you stretch the spine yourself at home?
There are several devices that will help stretch the spine on your own:
- Horizontal bar. Installed in the yard or in the passage between the door. Two approaches a day are enough for a good result.
- Evminov's board. This simulator is available in specialized stores or you can make it yourself. It is a board with a crossbar at the top, which is attached to the wall. The angle of inclination depends on the set of exercises that will be performed.
- Glisson loop. This simulator is used exclusively for stretching the cervical spine. It is a pair of straps that are attached in the area of the chin and the back of the head.
Also, a specially prepared set of exercise therapy exercises is used to develop the spine. It needs to be done regularly. And a few more nuances:
- when performing exercises, sharp movements or inclinations should not be allowed, the pace of training is slow and smooth.
- stretching before exercise is required;
- training should be regular, the load should be increased gradually;
- If discomfort occurs, the session must be stopped.
Points for and against
Before starting proceduresspinal traction, you need to undergo a full examination and make sure that they do not harm. It is worth knowing about all the advantages and disadvantages of spinal traction.
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Spinal traction is a procedure known to mankind for many centuries. Even in the time of Hippocrates, doctors from many countries were interested in this type of treatment, and the father of medicine himself successfully practiced the so-called rachitotherapy.
Nowadays, traction (which in Latin means “stretching”) is a well-known technique, performed with the help of special equipment and gives good results.
A huge merit belongs to the notorious professor of medicine K. Kinlein, who developed and presented to the world his miracle mattress Detensor.
Comfortable, non-forced traction of the spine became his motto.
Have you noticed how people get shorter with age? This is due to the fact that the intervertebral discs, which serve as gaskets between the vertebrae, lose their elasticity. This process causes degenerative-dystrophic changes ().
Approaching, they squeeze the roots of the nerves, which become inflamed, swell and pain occurs in different parts of the spinal column.
If at this stage a person does not seek help from a qualified specialist, the intervertebral discs may begin to bulge, so it appears.
The patient feels pain, sometimes radiating to other organs, numbness of the upper or lower extremities (depending on the type of hernia), atrophy and weight loss of the legs.
The last symptom is associated with poor supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. Other signs that are not always associated with the presence of a hernia may also join: jumps blood pressure, muscle tension, memory disorders, attention and even constipation, urination disorders.
Only 14% of spinal problems can be cured with medicines, so you should pay attention to other non-surgical methods of healing.
Therapeutic traction of the spine
Muscle relaxation traction therapy is a type of treatment of diseases of the spine with the help of traction - traction under the influence of the patient's body weight or additional weights.
It is used to separate the intervertebral discs from each other. This type has many advantages and advantages over other types.
For stretching, special couches or traction tables are used. The patient must undergo a full course of treatment, the number of sessions is selected individually for each patient.
The main types of therapy are dry and. At the same time, underwater is more gentle and completely painless, since under the influence of water at room temperature, muscles relax and spasms are relieved.
Dry - often carried out with the help of computer control, which ensures the ideal selection of the load.
During traction on the traction table, the patient is in the Fowler position, that is, with the legs bent at the knees, the feet on the footboard.
The table is divided into segments, which allows alternating tension and relaxation cyclically for different sections of the spinal column. Often has a special mode - vibration, which provides a relaxing massage.
Depending on the position of the patient's body distinguish between vertical and horizontal traction, as well as traction on an inclined plane.
The horizontal takes place on the aforementioned couches, and a number of other devices are used to implement the vertical.
For example, in case of problems with the cervical spine, traction is performed using the Glisson loop, and the patient sits on a special chair.
Before the procedure, the doctor prescribes an examination in various specialists and an X-ray examination. 
Do not self-medicate - doing spinal traction at home. Traction can be performed only under the supervision of an experienced specialist who, having studied your condition, will select the desired load, time, number of sessions.
In what cases is therapy used?
Indications for use:
- Intervertebral and.
- Degenerative - dystrophic processes in the spine. These include: which is characterized by a decrease in the height of the intervertebral discs. - advanced stage of osteochondrosis.
- muscle spasm
- (only initial stages).
- Pain after a back injury.
The safest operation to remove an intervertebral hernia - what are the indications and contraindications for the procedure.
Discogenic radiculopathy is a dangerous pathology that can cause paralysis and complete immobilization of the spine. What exist?
When Stretching Isn't Allowed
Contraindications:
- the age of the patient should not exceed 60 years, but not be less than 15;
- pain syndrome in the acute period;
- tumors or metastases in the spine;
- circulatory disorders in the spinal cord;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- kidney disease;
- mental illness in the acute stage;
- infectious diseases;
- general serious condition;
- pregnancy.
The essence of the treatment
It is well known that the lion's share of all back pain is compression of the roots of the spinal cord by the vertebrae.
During traction, the back muscles are stretched, they relax, the pressure inside the intervertebral discs is reduced, and the vertebrae are unloaded.
As a result of this, the roots have the opportunity to take their original or more comfortable place. It also improves blood circulation - and hence the nutrition of the entire spinal system.
Pros and cons of the procedure
Let's start with the cons: the main drawback of the procedure is the risk of injury.
During the traction, strictly follow the instructions of the doctor, in no case do not bend the neck or lower back.
To avoid injury, the specialist adds and reduces the load gradually. 
The procedure has many advantages, but the most significant advantage is the ability to cure diseases of the spine without resorting to surgical interventions.
It is also worth noting that the procedure is completely painless. If pain occurs, it means that the load is not selected correctly.
Traction - traction of the spine - stretching of the back using mechanical devices. The first traction mechanisms looked more like instruments of torture than medical devices. Special tables with wheels and straps were used. The patient was stretched as if on a rack. The process was observed by a doctor, his assistant made sure that the stretching was symmetrical, without violating the quality of the procedure. Over time, the method of traction has changed, but the principle and essence of the action has remained the same.
Dry traction of the spine is used to increase the intervertebral space, reduce the pressure of the intervertebral discs on the vessels and nerves that run from the spinal cord to the limbs and organs. Spinal traction performs the following functions:
- Blood and lymph circulation of the parts of the spine that have undergone pathologies;
- Removal of puffiness;
- Relief from pain;
- Restoration of damaged tissue of intervertebral discs.
Operating principle
For the procedure, the patient is fixed on a couch or table using rollers, cables or belts. The spine is stretched either to the left or to the right, usually in a wave-like mode, the action can be compared with sports stretching. Using short-term or long-term traction, the doctor achieves a decrease in the level of muscle spasms, returns the shifted vertebrae to the correct state, due to which the spine is lengthened.
Traction is carried out vertically or horizontally, the first option is used for the cervical region, and the second for the lower back and chest area.
Horizontal traction
Horizontal traction is characterized by the use of a special traction table, where the patient's torso is fixed with belts in the prone position, and belts with weights are put on the hips. When lowering the foot end of the table down, the pulling force passes to the spine. Some of the treatment tables are equipped with thermal or vibromassage devices, which allow to relax the muscle corset simultaneously with the process, enhancing the effect of the procedure.
Vertical traction
For cervical vertical traction, the patient sits on a chair equipped with a fixed mechanism with a loop thrown over the block. One end has a strap fixed under the chin of a person, and a weighting agent is fixed to the second end. The patient does not experience pain, but may feel slight discomfort. The duration and strength is calculated by the doctor, based on individual indications. The strength during the procedure is selected in accordance with the specific case, reaches a mass of a couple of tens of kilograms. The duration starts from 5 minutes and sometimes reaches 120. The average duration of exposure is 10-30 minutes, each session increases the patient's height by 0.5-1 cm.
Already after 3-4 sessions, the first changes are felt, the course itself lasts from 5 to 15 procedures, the therapy is repeated annually, and in some cases with an interval of two years.
Throughout the course of treatment, which lasts from 10 to 18 procedures, the patient is forced to wear a special corset.
To save the result, the patient is prescribed additional actions: physiotherapy exercises, manual therapy, massage with a therapeutic effect.
Both options require subsequent consolidation of the result, namely muscle strengthening. A corset consisting of joints and muscles, when overstrained or weakened, will return the old problem with complications. The sparing option of physical exercises and loadings excludes employment by any kind of sports, use of sports simulators.
Contraindications and complications
Dry vertical traction has a number of contraindications, namely:
- It is forbidden for chronic diseases of the spine that are in a state of exacerbation;
- If a person has osteoporosis;
- Has any kind of inflammatory processes, both internal and external action;
- With oncological diseases;
- With diseases of the heart, blood vessels;
- When the position of the vertebrae is extremely unstable;
- Have kidney stones;
- The presence of acute infectious diseases;
- With epilepsy;
- It is forbidden if a person suffers from psoriasis.
The disadvantages leading to complications are weak muscle relaxation, high load on the vertebrae. The vertical method is especially dangerous, since the patient is forced to stay in one position, without turning his head, without bending his neck. If these rules are violated, the probability of pinching the disk is high.
