Lumbar Traction
Relieving Pain with Lumbar Traction – How it can Benefit You
If your back hurts, should you lie in bed or take a rest on the couch? Neither; in fact, while it might feel good to take a load off temporarily, either one of these can actually prolong or even worsen your symptoms. Lower back pain (LBP) is the most commonly reported form of pain. It is a major cause of medical expenses, work absenteeism, and disability.
According to a study conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, one-third of adults surveyed say that low back pain impacted their ability to sleep, work, or exercise. Common physical therapy treatment for relieving back pain is traction. This has proven to significantly help in getting patients back to their normal levels of function. With traction, you can find some much-needed relief and get back to comfortably living your daily life.
For more information on how this could benefit you, contact Biosport Physical Therapy today!
How can physical therapy help back pain?
Physical therapy is the ideal treatment for patients experiencing chronic low back pain. Unlike prescription pain medication, physical therapy does not have any unwanted side effects, does not carry the risk of dependency, and addresses a person’s mobility, as well as pain reduction. One recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine also reported that physical therapy is as effective as surgery for treating low back pain conditions, without the risks or recovery time.
Many people already associate physical therapy with movement, balance, and mobility, but few understand the role physical therapy can have in pain relief. Therapies such as traction play a big role in physical therapy’s ability to relieve a patient’s pain. When combined with other physical therapy modalities, traction is actually more effective than pain medications in providing long-term relief.
A lumbar traction is a form of decompression therapy that we are happy to offer at our physical therapy practice. It relieves pressure on the spine and alleviates pain from joints, sprains, and spasms. It can also treat herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and many other back conditions. Traction is performed by skilled physical therapists and/or the use of mechanical units.
The different types of traction include:
- Mechanical Traction. The specialized treatment technique of mechanical traction uses devices that work by stretching the spinal vertebrae and muscles.
- Manual Traction. With manual traction, our physical therapists use their hands to stretch the spinal vertebrae and muscles.
So, how exactly does traction work?
Traction relieves pressure on the spine and alleviates pain. With lumbar traction, a gentle force is used to gently gap the pelvis from the lower back. Both of these methods are useful in manipulating the spine and providing relief.
How can I add lumbar traction to my treatment plan?
For low back pain sufferers, one key element to relief is traction. Combining this method of treatment with additional pain relief modalities is the most effective way to treat low back pain, rather than mask it with pain relievers or muscle relaxers.
If your back has been bothering you, don’t hesitate to request an appointment with Biosport Physical Therapy today to discuss how we can add traction to your treatment plan. One of our highly trained physical therapists will design a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs. Don’t live with lower back pain – lumbar traction can help get you moving.
