When was spinal decompression therapy first invented?
The Greeks were using spinal traction devices from as early as 2nd century A.D. , to relieve pressure and therefore pain, from the spine. This spinal decompression therapy method of pain reduction is attributed to Galen of Pergamon, a prominent Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher at the time.
In medieval times, spinal decompression therapy beds were used to implement axial traction, which in turn led to the development of the inversion table for lower back treatments. Similar treatments were developed to alleviate pain from the neck due to muscle and nerve pressure where a patient’s neck is stretched by hanging an opposing weight via a series of pullies.
Whether these ancient techniques brought long term relief in most cases is debatable.
Over 30 million Americans (a tenth of the population of the United States) are afflicted by some type of back pain at any given time. With millions of people suffering from neck and back pain, Meditrac decided a whole new approach was required and came up with a winning concept: ‘Traction on the Move’ spinal decompression therapy was the outcome.
“When I explain to my patients they can use the device and simultaneously perform light exercises while going about their daily routine, they’re in disbelief.” Dr Arik Grober
Dr. Ludwig Stabholz, a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Warsaw, established Meditrac in 1992. As a back surgeon, he understood the high risks inherent in back surgery and dedicated his whole working life to the R&D of spinal therapy. He was especially interested in non-surgical, non-invasive therapies.
His research was focused on probable causes of the failure of conservative traction methods, in order to develop improved non-surgical solutions to treat a range of spinal disorders.
By 1991 Dr. Stabholz had designed the first prototype of the Vertetrac spinal decompression device which became Meditrac’s key product. In 1992 Dr. Stabholz’s book, “Low Back Disorders – Innovative Ambulatory Treatment and Self Treatment,” was published. This seminal work had great influence in the orthopedic and chiropractic communities. Meditrac’s therapy is founded on the principles of his research and development.
Meditrac’s portable spinal decompression devices together with their innovative physical therapy programme can be summarized as follows:
- Motion during treatment is encouraged
- Range of Motion (RoM) and well-being is improved
- No drugs, hospitalization or surgery is involved
- The healing process is accelerated
