Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Traction Therapy is a low back rehabilitation program that uses Food & Drug Administrations (FDA) cleared medical technology that gently stretches the spine and decompresses the discs. This technique of spinal decompression traction therapy, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning, has shown the ability to gently separate the vertebrae from each other, creating a vacuum inside the discs. This "vacuum effect" is also known as negative intradiscal pressure.

The negative pressure can induce the retraction of the herniated or bulging disc into the inside of the disc, and off the nerve root, thecal sac, or both. It happens only microscopically each time, but cumulatively, over six to eight weeks, the results are quite dramatic.

The cycles of decompression and partial relaxation over a series of visits, promotes the diffusion of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids from the outside of the discs to the inside. These nutrients enable the torn and degenerated disc fibres to begin to heal.

Patients are treated fully clothed and are fitted with a pelvic harness that fits around their pelvis as well as a thoracic harness as they lie face down or face up on a computerized controlled table. The Spinal Traction Clinic health practitioner operates the table from a computerized console. Each treatment takes about 15 minutes. Most patients find the sessions to be comfortable, and relief of pain can sometimes be noticed in the first few sessions. Of course, this varies depending on the individual condition.

Spinal Traction Clinic chose the new Triton® DTS system manufactured by the Chattanooga Group, the premier manufacturer of physical medicine equipment. This new version has the brand new computerized head which is the most sophisticated and technologically advanced unit in the world.

In fact, the new Triton® head is so revolutionary that it won the Australian Design Award in the "Medical and Scientific" category. It is also the system that the University of Texas purchased for the treatment of its world-class athletes.

The system also comes with a patient ID card which records each treatment that has been specifically adjusted for you. This card is carried in your wallet or purse and given to the doctor on each visit to record the date, time, different pressures and parameters of decompression and the pain levels before each treatment and after the therapy is performed.

The award winning Triton® computer is the key. It controls the variations in the traction pull allowing for spinal decompression and eliminating muscle guarding that is typical in conventional traction devices. The preprogrammed patterns for ramping up and down the amount of axial distraction allows for higher levels of spinal decompression and disc rehydration.

Spinal Traction Clinic is specialized in treating low back pain. Anyone who has back pain may be helped by spinal decompression traction therapy.

The following would be inclusion criteria for the decompression traction therapy offered at Spinal Traction Clinic:

(1) Pain due to herniated and bulging lumbar discs that is more than four weeks old;
(2) Recurrent pain from a failed back surgery that is more than six months old;
(3) Persistent pain from degenerated discs not responding to four weeks of physiotherapy, osteopathy or chiropractic treatments; and
(4) Patient at least 18 years of age.

These indications are ideal candidates for enrollment into Spinal Traction Clinic program and have the potential of achieving quality outcomes in the treatment of their low back pain:

(1) Nerve Compression;
(2) Lumbar Disorders;
(3) Lumbar Strains;
(4) Sciatic Neuralgia;
(5) Herniated Discs;
(6) Injury of the Lumbar Nerve Root;
(7) Degenerative Discs;
(8) Spinal Arthritis;
(9) Low Back Pain with or without Sciatica;
(10) Degenerative Joint Disease;
(11) Myofascial Syndrome;
(12) Disuse Atrophy;
(13) Lumbar Instability;
(14) Acute Low Back Pain; and
(15) Post-Surgical Low Back Pain.

Lastly, the system should be utilized with patients with low back pain, with or without radiculopathy who have failed conventional therapy (physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic) and who are considering surgery. Surgery should only be considered following a reasonable trial of decompression traction therapy protocols.

Spinal decompression traction therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, patients who have severe osteoporosis, metastatic cancer, infection, fracture of lumbar spine, severe obesity or severe nerve damage.

Spinal surgery with instrumentation (screws, metal plates or “cages”) is also contraindicated. However, spinal decompression traction therapy after bone fusion or non-fusion surgery, can be performed.

Patients typically undergo 20 treatment sessions. Each treatment lasts between 15 minutes.

This, of course, depends on your individual case and is determined by a thorough evaluation.

It is important to note that many patients get substantial, immediate relief after just a few treatments. Some after just one.

In almost all cases, the treatments are completely painless. In fact, some patients fall asleep during the spinal decompression traction therapy session.

We are outraged at the high service fees being charged by most decompression traction clinics; leaving this effective treatment modality out of reach of most patients. We strongly believe everyone with low back pain should be able to receive decompression traction therapy if needed. We charge a flat fee of $20 per 15 minutes of spinal decompression traction therapy session. There are no hidden costs. There are no additional costs.

Majority of extended health plan providers and all auto insurers cover traction therapy. We will issue you a receipt you can use to get reimbursed for treatment costs.

After lying on the comfortable spinal decompression traction bed, you will be fitted with a shoulder support system. The shoulder support system helps to stabilize your upper body. The distractive forces utilize a logarithmic curve to avoid proprioceptor response, which would create muscle spasm. The table design decreases friction and allows separation of the vertebra, minimizing the effect of gravity.

Basically, you lay down and the spinal decompression traction computer simulates an antigravity effect on your back that helps herniated material return to its normal position and stop the pain. Patients describe the treatment as gentle, painless, intermittent pulling of your back.

Many patients actually fall asleep during treatment!

Many patients with lower back syndromes may experience pain relief as early as the third treatment session. Comparison of pre-treatment MRI’s with post-treatment MRI’s has shown a 50% reduction in the size and extent of herniation. In clinical studies, 86% of patients reported relief of back pain with decompression traction system. Within the past five years, some private practice clinicians have reported success rates as high as 90%.

Each treatment session averages 15 minutes in duration (research has established that optimum results are achieved with sessions that incorporate 10 to 15 decompression/relaxation cycles). On average, one daily session for 20-30 treatments (5 sessions per week for 4 to 6 weeks) is necessary in most cases, for healing to occur.

Herniated discs generally respond within 20 sessions, while patients with degenerated discs may need ongoing therapy at regulated intervals to remain pain free. Patients with posterior facet syndromes may achieve complete remission with 10 or fewer sessions. Research has demonstrated that most patients achieve full remission from pain after the initial treatment regimen.

We want to make it easy for you to learn if you are a candidate for spinal decompression traction therapy. Just call our office at (416) 636-1500 to arrange a consultation with one of our health practitioners. We charge a flat fee of $20 per session. There are no hidden costs. There are no additional costs.

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SpinalTractionClinic^TM (managed and operated by Union Ergonomics; Canada’s fastest growing new
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