According to the x-ray of my back and neck, my spine is out of whack. Particularly my neck (spine) is not curving the proper way. My chiropractor suggested traction (harness?) therapy. I am curious to see how others view this type of treatment, and if it truly works.
2006-10-16 12:20:56 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
STOP!!!
DO NOT USE TRACTION THERAPY UNTIL YOU'VE HAD AN MRI OR CT SCAN!
A x-ray shows the boney material in your neck and yes, you can tell if everything looks to be in place... what you can't see is if you're suffering from a herniated or bulging disc. If you do have a herniation or bulge, then traction therapy can cause more damage than good. Also, DO NOT ALLOW THE CHIROPRACTOR TO PERFORM MANIPULATION THERAPY UNTIL YOU'VE HAD AN MRI OR CT SCAN! Again, doing so can cause serious damage.
I do not have an issue with chiropractors however I do not believe that they should be used as a primary treating physician. In my line of work, I've seen too many patients who sought chiropractic care first and ended up much worse (surgical candidates) than if they'd worked in conjunction with an orthopedic physician or spine specialist. Please use caution and sense when obtaining chiropractic therapies. If your discomforts increase or do not go away within two weeks of chiropractic therapy, you need to seek the advice of a medical physician.
2006-10-17 03:49:08 · answer #1 · answered by cgspitfire 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to work for a chiropractor before I became a nurse. I have never seen anything change from this technique normally due to the patients not wanting to try it or do it everyday. All of the the different modalities can be VERY expensive and time consuming. I would try to roll a towel and lay on it for 20-30 mins a day. Don't do it all night or you will make the curvature of you neck worse. Good Luck!
2006-10-16 19:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by natmys333 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The purpose of traction is to stretch the muscles which are usually unequal in length due to contractures. This in turn takes the pressure off the nerves where they exit from between the vertebrae. Allowing some relief, but do not in themselves take care of nor eliminate the initiating causation.
2006-10-16 19:27:53 · answer #3 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use a home inversion table-a traction like device that uses gravity instead of weights.It helps tremendously.Just do not believe if anyone ever tells you that they can fix your problem,it is just a temporary treatment and once you stop you go back to the beginning.
2006-10-16 19:25:35 · answer #4 · answered by m2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they strapped me on a table and put my chest in a harness. they added a belt around my waist and the machine pulled my waist down. it helped me, but spinal adjustments worked best for me. that and yoga
2006-10-16 19:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by JuicyChus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had traction for my lower back & it did wonders
2006-10-16 19:22:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋