Methods of Spinal Decompression Including Massage Chairs
Traction as used in chiropractic environments, is usually spinal traction. Chiropractors must treat many patients with low back problems. Applying traction to the spine is for the purpose of stretching the soft tissues between the cervical discs to assist in recovery. Traction can be applied by using a bending or pulling force to stretch the soft tissues.
Most people relate to traction as a pulling force. They picture themselves lying on their back with arms being pulled on one end and their legs being on the other. In essence, the pulling force is exerted on the entire spine. Spinal decompression machines have been used with patients lying on their backs. They are attached to the machine and then an extension force is used to stretch both ends of their spine simultaneously.
In the case of a spinal decompression machine, a pulling force is used as the means for mechanical traction. Both ends of the patient is secured. The machine is then activated which pulls across the full length of the spine. In theory, the full length of the spine is stretched and then the soft tissues between the spinal discs are that also stretched.
Another way to decompress the spine is inversion therapy. Inversion therapy uses the weight of your body to exert a force along the length of the spine. This is accomplished by suspending the individual upside down. Suspension can happen either with an inversion bed or with inversion boots. The boots require a little more acrobatics to get to the inverted position.
Now with inversion therapy the force to elongate the soft tissues is a pulling force. By suspending the individual by their feet, the force of gravity and the weight of the patient are used to apply traction. Inversion boots only apply the full force using the combination of gravity and body weight.
Roller tables are commonly used to apply traction across the length of the spine. In this case, a patient is laid down on the table. The table is activated, and a roller passes up and down the length of the patient’s spine.
The way a roller table applies traction is with a bending force. The roller passes across each cervical disc. As the roller passes, it causes the cervical disc to deflect. This deflection of the cervical disc elongates the soft tissues.
The procedure behind traction with a massage chair is also utilizing a roller. The roller is used to exert a bending mechanical force on the soft tissues between the cervical discs. Massage chairs use the rollers to cause the cervical discs to deflect.
Massage chairs can apply this type of mechanical traction to the spine. They are using gravity as the pulling force over the top of the roller. The roller causes the cervical disc to deflect when the roller passes. The soft tissues are then stretched which is the definition of mechanical traction.
Massage chairs are very versatile in a health care environment. They provide a variety of treatments for patients. They contain many different massage techniques. These chairs can be targeted for specific areas. Additional treatments include lower body stretching systems, heating elements throughout the chair and an MP3 player for music relaxation.
Massage chairs are multipurpose treatment centers. They can provide a variety of treatments to accommodate many users. Massage chairs apply massage treatments consistently and can be customized for individuals. Massage chairs have a variety of massage programs both manual and automatic. These massage chairs can also be directed to specific muscle groups for targeted relief.