Today, many people are faced with diseases of the spine. They know perfectly well how unpleasant and painful these pathologies are. To combat such ailments, many methods are used, one of which is traction, or, scientifically, traction. There are irrefutable facts that indicate that such procedures have been carried out for more than two hundred years. They provide excellent results. However, along with these facts, there are other data. They indicate that such treatment does not always give a positive result. There were cases when tractions were performed without the proper involvement of professionals, and the results were very sad.
Consider underwater spinal traction. What is the essence of the method, in which diseases it will bring the maximum effect. In addition, we will analyze for what ailments it is worth abandoning traction.
The essence of the procedure
Underwater spinal traction is a stretching of the vertebrae under the patient's own weight. Sometimes, for better traction, weights are additionally used. If necessary, manual intervention may be included in the procedure.
There are several stretching techniques. Traction can be:
- dry or underwater;
- horizontal or vertical;
- with vibration or heating.
But, despite the variety of methods, the essence of the procedure is the same: stretching the vertebrae. This allows you to relieve spasm in the muscles, reduce pain, return the discs to their place.
How the procedure works
Underwater spinal traction is performed as follows:
- The patient is securely fixed with special mounts (belts) on the stand in the form of a platform.
- Then the person with the entire structure is lowered into a pool filled with water or into a deep bath.
- Belts begin to tighten. Due to this effect, stretching appears.
- The pressure on the intervertebral discs is significantly reduced. At this point, the spine is like a straight spring.
Underwater traction of the spine is used to treat many different pathologies associated, one way or another, with human bones (fractures, hernias, osteochondrosis, rheumatoid arthritis).
Efficiency of procedure
However, in medicine, this method of treatment causes a lot of conflicting opinions. More than one generation of scientists and doctors argue on this issue. Somedoctors are sure that the process of stretching the spine provides compression of the nerves, relieves pain. Other doctors argue that traction is not able to eliminate the cause of the pathology. After all, traction cannot change the destructive processes occurring in the skeletal system.
In addition, doctors emphasize that underwater traction of the spine sometimes leads to quite serious complications:
- intervertebral hernia;
- micro muscle tears;
- lumbago.
In terms of the number of negative consequences, this method of treatment is equivalent to manual therapy. The question arises: is this procedure effective or harmful?
No matter how many disputes there are on this score, one cannot but agree with the positive effect of traction on the body. A spinal stretching procedure provides elasticity to the back muscles. Therefore, the spinal column as a whole becomes stronger.
It takes a lot of effort to achieve positive results from this therapy. And you should start by finding a good specialist. It is very important that traction occurs under the supervision of a competent doctor. It is he who will carefully study your pathology and choose the appropriate treatment method. The effectiveness of this procedure depends on this.
When this technique is used
Initially, you should remember that only a doctor can prescribe these events, having carefully studied the examination analyzes.
Most often recommended for the following pathologiesspinal traction:
- for hernia;
- osteochondrosis;
- deforming spondylosis;
- lumbalgia;
- radial compression;
- kyphoscoliosis;
- initial stages of Bechterew's disease;
- lumboischialgia, which caused limited movement and reduced flexibility;
- compression radiculopathies.
Contraindications to therapy
Like any medical procedure, spinal traction has a number of limitations. Failure or ignoring them can seriously harm the body, and sometimes even lead to disability. That is why it is necessary to remind once again, initially consult with an experienced doctor, and only after his approval, consider underwater spinal traction.
Contraindications for this procedure:
- disturbances of cerebrospinal circulation;
- osteoporosis;
- instability of the patient's spine;
- sequestered hernias;
- spinal inflammatory syndromes (epiduritis cicatricial adhesive or arachnoiditis);
- pathology in acute form, accompanied by severe pain;
- fractures of the spine;
- overweight (more than 100 kg) and old age (over 60);
- poor traction tolerance (procedure leads to increased pain);
- rehabilitation after laminectomy;
- bans on balneo- and hydrotherapy (with tuberculous spondylitis, cardiopulmonary decompensation, tumors of the spine or spinal cord, predisposition to bleeding, skindiseases).
Underwater traction can occur in two ways:
- horizontal;
- vertical.
Let's look at both options.
Horizontal traction
This method is recommended by many experts. After all, it allows you to get excellent results by changing the load. Underwater horizontal traction of the spine, unlike other methods, is the safest procedure.
To apply this therapy, patients are placed on a platform in a bathtub that moves. The upper body is secured with straps, and a weight is hung to the lumbar. Then the bottom of the platform is slightly lowered down (at an angle of 15-30 degrees).
Vertical traction
This method is not suitable for all patients. Underwater vertical spinal traction is a more intensive procedure.
It takes place in large pools. In addition, the patient is no longer lying, but is in an upright position. With this procedure, only the upper body is fixed. The head is also fixed with a reliable head holder. Legs should not touch the bottom of the pool when stretching vertically.
Special belts are put on the waist and hips, on which loads are placed. The weight of the weighting agents is selected by the doctor and can vary from 2 kg to 20. This method is good because it allows you to stretch the entire spine. For 20-40 minutes while it lastsprocedure, the patient is unable to move. After all, reliable fasteners hinder any movement.
This method is almost never used in practice. After all, it is based on a rough selection of cargo. In addition, with this method it is quite difficult to influence exactly the area that needs such traction.
Recommendations depending on the disease
In addition to vertical and horizontal traction, the treatment can be intense or gentle. The choice depends on how severe the pain is, at what stage the disease is. Correct diagnosis is very important here.
Special Features:
- Gentle method. It is a stretching that occurs under the influence of its own body weight. Additional loads are not applied in this method.
- Intensive method. If you need a stronger traction, then the procedure includes loads (from 2.5 kg). The weight of the load depends on the weight of the patient. This increases the session time - up to 40 minutes.
If there are concomitant diseases, such as impaired venous circulation, the doctor may prescribe a special complex of underwater spinal traction, supplemented with baths with sodium chloride. With radiculopathies, hydrogen sulfide or turpentine are recommended. And if you suffer from acute pain, then they will prescribe baths with radonium.
To improve the effectiveness of the method, it is often combined with hydromassage. This greatly improves the therapeutic effect.
Feature of the therapeutic effect
What is the essence of the therapeutic effect of this procedure? The whole secret lies in the water, or rather, in a certain temperature. It is very important that it be 36-37 C. It is at this temperature that the desired effect can be achieved, which will help in the fight against the disease.
Bath of underwater traction of the spine, the water in which reaches the above indicators, provides the following effects:
- reduces muscle tone;
- reduces the sensitivity of nerve endings in the spine;
- gaps between discs get longer;
- expands the holes through which the nerve endings of the spinal cord pass;
- relaxes muscles, so pain subsides;
- eliminates spasms.
Thus, gradually, the necessary ratio between the vertebrae is restored, the disc is unloaded, pressure decreases and, of course, the spinal root is released.
Cost of treatments
Unfortunately, underwater spinal traction cannot be called a cheap procedure. The average price varies from 1200 to 1600 rubles. And procedures may need 10-12.
Patient feedback
Despite the age-old debate among doctors about the effectiveness of the procedure, most patients notice a significant improvement after underwater spinal traction has been performed. Reviews indicate that the technique helps with hernias, scoliosis, spondylosis.
People note that pain discomfort is significantly reduced after 3 procedures. And the 5th session gives you the opportunity to move freely.
However, do not forget that the choice always remains with the doctor. After all, only a doctor can evaluate the indications, weigh contraindications and decide how necessary and important the procedure for spinal traction is for the patient.
