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Traction Therapy in Chennai
Traction Therapy in Chennai
16-July-2021

Traction Therapy in Chennai

Traction therapy is a method which employs force in equal and opposite directions to stretch tissues, joint surfaces and bone fragments with a view of relieving pressure from the affected area and mitigates pain in joints and spasms. The vertebrae are pulled from the discs, thus releasing pressure, decompress the nerve and mitigate pain and provide relief. Avail traction therapy in Chennai at Dr Karunakaran spine centre, which has rich 20 years plus experience in treating spine related problems.

Traction therapy employs a myriad of methods including manual, mechanical, motorized, hydraulic and inversion methods to treat herniated discs, bone spurs, degenerative disc disease, foramina stenosis among other ailments.

The therapy has fruitfully offered relief from pain for patients.

Traction therapy in Chennai and pain relief

Traction is a decompression therapy that is done manually or mechanically to relieve spine pressure by applying longitudinal force to the axis of spinal cord. In simple words, spinal column is pulled in opposite directions to stabilize damaged areas.

The therapy effectually treats herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, bone spurs, facet disease, foramina stenosis and many other spine related ailments.

In traction therapy, the spine is stretched to relieve the pressure off the compressed discs. The soft part of the disc returns to the disc thus decompressing the nerve and relieving pain.

Traction therapy in Chennai is employed to stabilize bone fractures in limbs and minimize pain in affected bone area, before surgery. Besides treating bone deformities like scoliosis, it is also employed to correct stiff muscles and stretch neck and avoid muscle spasms. The three types of traction therapy are cervical traction, skin traction and skeletal traction.

Therapists conduct a physical assessment of patients to prevent injuries. Pregnant women, those with tumour in back or unsuccessful back surgery, are not eligible for traction therapy.

Tractions were traditionally used in hospitals to treat ailments relating to fracture and are replaced with other options that have advanced in the recent past.

Each sitting lasts for 30 to 45 minutes and 20 to 28 such sessions comprise the therapy which is distributed to five or seven weeks. The therapy is coupled with other treatments such as electric stimulation.

Cervical traction is conducted with assistance of supine posterior distraction unit. For lumbar traction, thoracic or chest belt with pelvic belt, inversion, split or auto traction tables are employed. Split traction table is semi mobile and semi stationary. Auto traction table allows patient to control both segments of the table.

Traction therapy in Chennai: Preparation

Patients must drink sufficient water and take prescribed supplements since hydration prepares the body to stretch without cramps. Patients would be strapped to a machine which executes series of tractions which are incremented. A session lasts for 45 minutes and shuffles between stretching and relaxing intervals.

The session is once again followed by water consumption. Few home exercises would be recommended between sessions. In few cases cold packs or heat pads would be administered to relax muscles and avoid inflammation.

Side effects of traction therapy

Though spinal traction is sans long term risks, it does pose side effects such as muscle spasms. Shooting pain in the limbs might be experienced after the therapy. Those with back pain are recommended to avoid this therapy. The stretches during the therapy is bound by side effects and the physician decides if one is eligible for the treatment or not.

Though there are no diet restrictions, patients are recommended to religiously follow walking and other light exercises post therapy throughout their life. They are also advised not to panic over pain issues after the therapy since pain subsides naturally or by administering pain killers.

Traction therapy in Chennai: Manual method

The therapist employs hands to administer traction state in a patient. Manual force is applied in joints and muscles to widen space between vertebrae. It is a safe treatment option and is chosen for specific conditions. It improves neck and lower back mobility and accentuates a range of motion and functionality.

Force is avoided in manual traction and gradual force is applied and retained for few seconds after which the retained part is slowly released.

Mechanical spinal traction

Mechanical traction effectually treats chronic degenerative conditions in cervical and lumbar spine. Decompression forces are employed to minimize weight and pressure in the pain affected area such as in joints, spasms and sprains. Skilled therapists use mechanical traction devices comprising weights and pulleys to add tension to the affected area for a prescribed time.

On a concluding note, traction therapy which is existing for 4000 years, is evolving with better safety and cost factors with motorized, hydraulic and inversion methods along with previously existing systems.