Our brand new traction table is available now! Appointments for mechanical traction are from 9am-6pm daily and 9am-5pm on Saturday. Call our office to schedule your traction table appointment.
What is Mechanical Intermittent Traction System?
Mechanical Intermittent Traction (also known as a traction table or decompression table) is a non-surgical treatment directed at relieving pressure on structures in the spine that may be the major source of lumbar and cervical pain. Mechanical traction is a non-surgical method effective for relieving pain associated with bulging discs, herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and other back and spine issues.
Many people associate mechanical traction and spinal decompression with inversion tables. Inversion tables use gravity to separate the spinal vertebrae, while the traction table uses gentle mechanical force set to the patient’s preference and tolerance to provide an effective and safe treatment for pain relief.
How Does It Work?
Mechanical Intermittent Traction helps relieve pain through decompression of lumbar or cervical discs and joints. This cyclical, painless stretching reduces pressure and promotes blood and fluid flow. This helps improve healing naturally. Treatments are painless and often relaxing, designed for patient comfort.
When the spine is stretched, the force and position of the spine is altered. That alteration to the spine takes pressure off of the spinal discs by creating negative pressure in the disc space. The discs are gel-like cushions that exist between the bones in the spine and are designed to lubricate and cushion the spinal column. When pressure is relieved and negative disc space is created, bulging or herniated discs may retract to take the pressure off of nerves and other structures in the spine. This relieves pain and helps promote the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluid into the disc space to allow for healing.
During the course of the treatment, you will be fully clothed and very comfortable. The doctor or chiropractic assistant fits a harness snugly around your pelvis and another around your trunk. You either lie face down or face up on a computer-controlled table. A doctor or chiropractic assistant operates the computer, customizing treatment to your specific needs.
Treatment may last 15 to 20 minutes and you may require many treatment depending upon the severity of your condition. When combined with other chiropractic and manual therapies, traction can be incredibly effective for back and neck pain. Before or after therapy, you may have other types of treatment, such as:
– Electrical stimulation (electric current that causes certain muscles to contract)
– Chiropractic adjustments
– Heat or cold therapy
– Manual and massage therapy
Can Mechanical Intermittent Traction Work for you?
Much of the common cause of back and neck pain is mechanical compression–decompression can focus its effect at the source of the pain. If you are experiencing neck, back or radiating pain you should seriously consider Mechanical Intermittent Traction Treatment.
We offer free consultations for traction and other services. Contact our office or, for your free consultation book online now.