Intersegmental Traction
Intersegmental traction is an effective chiropractic therapy that facilitates passive motion into the spine for the purpose of stretching the spinal joints to increase mobility. Intersegmental traction helps to gently and effectively reestablish normal range of motion to your spine. It also helps to relax the muscles and reduce muscular hypertonicity. One of the primary side effects of pain is muscular contraction and reduced mobility.
Intersegmental traction is delivered through the use of a specialized traction table. The patient lays down on the table in a supine (on your back) position. There is a three wheeled cam just under the surface of the table that rotates on an axis while it simultaneously works its way up and down the length of your spine.
As the rollers are working their way up and down the spine the individual vertebra are gently massaged and tractioned thus elongating and stretching the spinal joints and muscles. As the restrictions are being reduced, the muscles begin to relax and the spinal pain is reduced.
Because the intervertebral discs are avascular (without circulation) it is critical that they have the ability to move within their specific boundaries. This allows the disc to attract the nutritional fluids it needs to stay healthy. Retaining and improving spinal range of motion is critical in the preservation of good health and good function.
Intersegmental traction is non-invasive and typically painless. Most of our patients find this particular therapy to be relaxing and very helpful in the treatment of their spinal conditions. The gentle rolling action is restful, exercising the spine without effort. During a typical therapeutic session, the intersegmental roller table interacts with your body in a massage like fashion literally hundreds of times.
Intersegmental traction is a particularly effective when used in conjunction with another chiropractic treatment such as spinal adjustments. The traction will help increase mobility, reduce muscle tension and spinal misalignment. The pumping action facilitates increases in blood flow and oxygen to the discs, ligaments and muscles. This helps the patients with improving balance, coordination, strength and mobility.