There are many conventionally accepted methods of treatment of low back pain. Bed rest is perhaps the most widely administered, with the understanding that the great majority of cases of low back pain heal within several days, independently of the method of treatment used to correct them. This may result in damage in the minority of cases, which are not self-correcting, by delaying treatment. Other methods of treatment of low back pain include chiropractic manipulation, orthotic back supports, physical therapy, and prescription of drugs.
Disc herniation and lower back pain are the only joint disorders that, in the vast majority of cases, have the tendency for self-correction. Studies have shown that 80% of the cases of low back pain have a tendency toward self correction, and therefore many attending physicians adopt a “wait and see” attitude and refrain from any active treatment of the low back pain.
However, inappropriate treatment of the 20% of the cases which are not self-correcting, may lead to grave complications such as: inflammation, edema, ischemia, chemical radiculitis, neurological changes, axonal transport block, obstruction of neurotransmitters, fibrosis, and other conditions. In such cases a condition which was initially purely mechanical, becomes biochemical and therefore much more difficult and complicated to treat as a result of the lack of active treatment. At the onset of illness it is impossible to determine whether a case will be self-correcting, and for this reason immediate treatment, instead of bed rest as is often administered, is recommended. This avoids the transition from mechanical disorder to biochemical disorder.
The pursuit of relief from the crippling pain and disability of low back pain leads many sufferers to continue to search for any relief, including surgery, which should not be a first choice (except in Cauda Equina) to any medical problem, some patients are actually more disabled after the treatment of back pain through surgery than before it, indicating improper or inappropriate care. Failed back surgery is a widespread problem, and it has been proven that repeated surgery seldom leads to improved results.
This was the background that led to the development of the Vertetrac & the Cervico 2000: dynamic spinal decompression is the most effective method of treatment available for lower back pain. When the traction is applied – the following occurs:
- Application of a vertical upwards traction force (up to 40 kg on each side)
- Application of a simultaneous horizontal force which encourages the tightening of the posterior longitudinal ligaments and aids in the repositioning of the displaced disc.
- Affords patient mobility during treatment, this in turn facilitates the diffusion of endorphines in the spinal nerves which produces an natural analgesic effect (walking or exercise on treadmill).
All Meditrac products carry the CE mark & FDA approval.
