Chiropractic Mechanical and Manual Cervical Traction for Injuries

In cases of cervical disc nerve compression, traction treatment is recommended for proper spinal adjustment and pain relief. Traction treatment enables a chiropractor to relieve the stress/pressure that can lead to spinal disc problems like:

• Disc herniation
• Disc Rupture
• Displacement

Traction concepts differ with chiropractors. They could utilize static positioning and inversion therapy, but each has there own treatment application.

Manual and mechanical cervical traction

The methodologies/techniques are different, but the results are the same. The use depends on an individual case basis and the chiropractic treatment plan. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic utilize mechanical and manual traction approaches. Choosing the right traction treatment is based on understanding each technique’s strengths, depending on each individual’s case.

Traction approach

The difference between mechanical and manual traction is simple. Mechanical traction is aided and directed with the use of machines, weights, and pulleys, while manual traction is performed by a chiropractor. Mechanical traction cradles the individual’s head in a sling, positioned at the optimal position to benefit from the adjustment most. The sling is counterweighted to hold the head and neck in a specific position, leveraging mechanical pressure to generate positive cervical adjustments. Manual traction involves an individual lying on a table, with the chiropractor adjusting/pulling the head and neck to decompress the cervical spine. The adjustment can be a continuous pull or a series of low-velocity pulls in different directions. This depends on the individual’s condition and treatment adjustment plan.

Methodology comparison

The objective of mechanical and manual traction is similar, but both are tools that a chiropractor can utilize for different benefits. Mechanical traction therapy is hands-free decompression that allows a chiropractor the time they need to work on complex cases. This method is often implemented for severe cases where a traction session lasts 20-30 minutes. It is also helpful when educating patients on proper posture. Manual traction is controlled by a chiropractor, as they manually increase or decrease the countering force. The hands-on technique enables a chiropractor to feel the status of the cervical spine in real time. This helps the patient understand the effects of their traction treatment.

The right technique for the individual

Traction’s overall ability to decompress the spine makes it a beneficial approach to treating several spinal conditions. The cause of the condition/injury and the individual’s overall health can determine which approach will benefit the most. Mechanical and manual traction are just two adjustment methods/techniques. However, both forms on their own are not the only option. Both can be used in combination. Injury Medical Chiropractic Clinic is committed to developing the best approach for spinal correction for every patient.

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Body Composition

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Phase angle cellular health assessment for surgical risks and outcomes

Phase angle measures how the cells respond to the electrical currents used to measure body composition. It reflects the cell membrane integrity. When the body’s cells are healthy, they can resist the InBody current, which results in a higher phase angle.

Nutritional status cardiac patient monitoring

Phase angle shows changes in cellular health that happen before the onset of cardiac cachexia or circulation issues. Monitoring these changes is used to track cardiac patients’ status and can help determine surgical risks and outcomes. Assessing these results over time, a patient’s nutritional status can be monitored through their rehabilitation program. Complications associated with surgery can be prevented.

References

Madson, Timothy J, and John H Hollman. “Cervical Traction for Managing Neck Pain: A Survey of Physical Therapists in the United States.” The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy vol. 47,3 (2017): 200-208. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.6914

Wang, Kuan, et al. “Cervical traction therapy with and without neck support: A finite element analysis.” Musculoskeletal Science & practice vol. 28 (2017): 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2017.01.005

Bryans, Roland, et al. “Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with neck pain.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 37,1 (2014): 42-63. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2013.08.010