Challenging assumptions.
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Back Injuries↗
Biomedical subjects
H D Saunders
Publications and source records attributed to H D Saunders.
Use of spinal traction in the treatment of neck and back conditions.
Spinal traction is a time-honored method for the treatment of disc protrusion, degenerative disc disease, and joint dysfunction. Effective treatment is not as easy or as simple to administer as it may appear. Many variations of technique exist, some of questionable value. It must be emphasized that spinal traction is only a part of the total management-treatment regimen, which includes other forms of physical therapy. Without a total management program, spinal traction, like many other empiric methods, has little chance of long-range benefit. Consequently, physicians prescribing spinal traction must be prepared to apply proved diagnostic methods and other treatment methods.
Humans↗
Unilateral lumbar traction.
Unilateral lumbar traction has been theorized to be superior to bilateral lumbar traction in certain cases. Many patients who cannot tolerate bilateral lumbar traction are comfortable with this method. It enables the physical therapist to administer lumbar traction to patients with protective scoliosis who would otherwise be unable to tolerate treatment. Although the theory behind the treatment seems sound, very little unilateral lumbar traction is used clinically because of problems with patient positioning and adaptability of available equipment. This paper described a technique of effectively administering unilateral lumbar traction. The technique involves a heavy-duty lumbar traction harness, with bilateral pelvic straps, that can be used for conventional lumbar traction. It is constructed in such a way that when only one side of the pelvic harness is coupled to the traction source, a stronger force is transferred to that side of the spine. Although separation occurs on both sides of the spine, greater separation and stretching is achieved on the side of the pull.
Humans↗