How is Spinal Decompression different from standard traction or an inversion table?
Traction is a simple static force that is put on the patients body with the intent of unloading the body’s joints, muscles and other structures. For example, hanging upside-down is a common method to put the spine into traction. Rather than one’s body weight putting stress on the spine, which is what happens when standing erect, the body weight is working to unload the spine. Various forms of traction have been around for over 1000 years, however, pain relief has been inconsistent and short-lived with past techniques. In fact, several clinical studies have shown traction to be an ineffective form of back and neck pain relief. The reason is unexpected, but pretty simple. Our bodies react to the static unloading (stretching) of the spine by contracting, or squeezing, the muscles surrounding the spine. Rather than achieving the desired effect of unloading the spine, the pressure on the spine is actually increased, thus increasing intradiscal pressure (pressure on the discs). This does NOT
