Lumbar traction
is widely used to treat low back pain, often in conjunction with other treatment
modalities. The traction may be applied intermittently, using any of several
methods to treat conditions of the spine, in either an outpatient setting or
in a home setting. Typically these modalities are used short term. Various techniques
have been reported to widen or decompress disc spaces, unload the vertebrae,
decrease disc protrusion or muscle spasm, separate the vertebrae, or lengthen
and stabilize the spine.
The duration of the exerted force applied may be intermittent or continuous
throughout a treatment session. Commonly used home lumbar traction devices employ
a free weight and pulley system capable of holding approximately 20 pounds of
sand or water as a traction force. A harness is attached around the pelvis (to
deliver a caudal pull) and the upper body is stabilized with a chest harness
or voluntary arm force (for the cephalad pull). In some cases, 70-150 pounds
of pull are required to distract lumbar vertebrae.
Several available home lumbar traction devices that are not pulley and weight
systems may apply increased traction forces (greater than 20 pounds). This type
of device may be indicated when use of a standard home device has been unsuccessful.
The Saunders HomeTrac and Saunder STx are compact home lumbar traction devices,
which can apply up to 200 pounds of home traction force.
The device mimics the traction offered in a clinical setting by providing a
friction-free split surface that actively moves, enabling vertebral separation
by inducing a pulling force. It is suggested that, when using these devices,
the patient can be positioned so that the lumbar curve is in any degree of flexion,
neutral or in extension. Each of these devices has both a patient-controlled
pressure valve that limits the amount of force transmitted to the user and a
hand-held pump for immediate release of pressure.
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