Working as a physiotherapist requires you to use your knowledge of the human body combined with evidence-based practice to develop solutions that help your patients. Moreover, as a healthcare professional, you also need to understand how to market and sell your services so that more people can benefit from them.
With this in mind, it’s important for you to be able to identify products that are reputable and have sufficient supporting evidence. Lumbar traction devices are one such product.
A lumbar traction device is a tool that uses mechanical force to decompress the spine. However, when you look at the market today, many different types of lumbar traction devices are available, making it hard for someone new to this niche to understand which ones actually work and which don’t.
For this reason, in this blog post, we’ll explore common questions regarding whether lumbar traction devices work and what type is right for you or your client.
Does a Lumbar Traction Device Work?
The answer is yes. A lumbar traction device is a device that mechanically pulls the lower end of the vertebrae of the back backward. This can help to take pressure off the intervertebral discs, which are the spaces between your vertebrae.
How Does a Lumbar Traction Device Work?
A lumbar traction device like the Saunders lumbar traction device works by applying a controlled and gradual pulling force to the lower back. The purpose of this is to take some of the pressure off the discs in your lower back, which will help to alleviate any pain that you may be experiencing.
The pulling force encourages your discs to expand, which takes the pressure off the nerves in the discs. This can help to reduce back pain and sciatica symptoms, as well as provide relief to people suffering from degenerative disc disease.
For the best results, a Saunders lumbar traction device is often used in combination with other treatments, such as manual therapies and exercise, as they can help reduce pain while the other treatment improves mobility and strengthens the lower back. But lumbar traction devices are sometimes used independently if the patient doesn’t require any other treatment.
Lumbar traction devices are sometimes a short-term treatment option for people experiencing low back pain. This is often the case for people with a herniated disc or sciatica, as these conditions can often be managed with short-term treatments such as rest, ice, and medications to reduce pain.
Your doctor or physiotherapist may also recommend using a lumbar traction device to help reduce pain and inflammation so that you can participate in activities of daily living, such as work and exercise, more easily while receiving other treatments like manual therapies and medication.
Final Words: Is a Lumbar Traction Device Worth It?
The evidence suggests that lumbar traction devices like the Saunders lumbar traction device effectively reduce back pain and sciatica symptoms. As long as you choose the right type of traction device, you will likely see positive results.
Remember, though, that a lumbar traction device is only one part of a holistic treatment plan. You should use it in combination with other treatments such as manual therapies, exercise, and lifestyle modifications to achieve maximum results for your patients.
