Cervical traction is one of the most important and effective methods of conservative treatment for cervical spondylosis, but many people do not know the correct traction method, and adverse consequences often occur in the treatment process. For example, some people experience headache, vertigo, nausea and vomiting after traction, and in serious cases, fainting. Others experience numbness and increased pain in the upper limbs. Most people will experience neck discomfort or feel no therapeutic effect. It is not that traction does not cure the disease, but they do not know how to traction. Before traction, we must first find out what the purpose of traction is, whether they are suitable, and which way to choose.
The physiological effect of traction
The therapeutic effect of traction is achieved through the following aspects.
(1) Limiting the movement of the cervical spine, reducing the repeated friction and bad stimulation to the compressed spinal cord and nerve roots, and helping the edema and inflammation of the spinal cord, nerve roots, joint capsule, muscles and other tissues to subside.
(2) Enlarging the intervertebral space and intervertebral foramen, which is conducive to the decompression of the intervertebral discs, reducing or even relieving the irritation and compression of the nerve roots.
(3) Release muscle spasm, restore the balance of cervical spinal crutches, reduce the internal pressure of the intervertebral disc, and cushion the pressure of the intervertebral disc to the surrounding area.
(4) To open the small joint gap, release synovial inlay, and restore the normal sequence and interrelationship between cervical vertebrae.
(5) To straighten the vertebral artery that is distorted between the transverse foramina, correct the distortion of the vertebral artery, and improve the blood supply to the arteries.
(6) The longitudinal diameter of the cervical spinal canal is elongated, the spinal cord is stretched, the ligamentum flavum is flattened, and the volume of the spinal canal is relatively increased. Correct traction treatment not only relieves muscle spasm, but also has the effect of improving the symptoms of nerve root irritation.
Precautions for traction
1, the angle of the cervical spine: traction in the flexion position of the cervical spine can make the intervertebral space and intervertebral foramen increase and the soft tissue behind the neck stretch, which is suitable for patients with cervical spondylosis intervertebral space narrowing and intervertebral foramen deformation. Flexion of 15 degrees is the maximum angle to keep the physiological curvature of the cervical vertebrae straight and not to have anti-arch, so forward flexion of not more than 15 degrees is appropriate. Posterior extension traction is suitable for patients with altered physiological curvature of the cervical spine, with the aim of restoring normal physiological curvature. Neutral traction can be used for various types, but it is less targeted.
2, traction power: traction power to achieve cervical spine gap increase without causing muscle and joint injury as the purpose. Generally 2-3kg in sitting position, about 10kg in lying position.
3, traction time: generally in 15 to 20 minutes. Too long is prone to muscle and ligament static injury.
4, position: commonly used position is sitting, supine position. Supine position can make the posterior widening of the C4 to C7 intervertebral space more obvious, and the neck muscles do not have to support the weight of the head, so that comfortable, the angle is also easy to adjust. Sitting position traction position is not easy to stabilize, angle change is also small, but has the advantage of traction without friction.
5, traction mode: can be divided into continuous traction and intermittent traction. Continuous traction in the whole process always maintain traction; intermittent traction in the traction process there are several traction force reduction. The latter is mostly chosen by those who are old and in heavy condition.
Groups for which traction is suitable
The main groups for which traction is suitable are: cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, change in the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, age 18 years or older (the bones are not fully developed at too young an age), no serious osteoporosis, vertebral artery stenosis.
Who is not suitable for traction
1, cervical spondylosis with serious cardiovascular disease.
2.Patients with serious degenerative changes in the cervical spine and bone bridge formation.
3.Patients with bony stenosis of cervical spinal canal more than 1/2.
4.Patients with severe osteoporosis and vertebral artery stenosis.
5.Age below 18 years old.
6.Patients with cervical spine fracture and vertebral body slippage.
Precautions for home self-traction
When using a traction frame for home self-traction of the neck, it is important to emphasize that such traction should only be performed after being instructed by a physician and informed of precautions. Inappropriate repeated traction can lead to relaxation of the ligaments attached to the cervical spine, accelerating degeneration and reducing the stability of the cervical spine.
Damage easily caused by blind traction
1, cervical spine muscle and ligament static injury, the clinical manifestation is similar to the fallen pillow.
2, nerve root injury, numbness and pain in the upper limbs.
3, vertebral small joint dysfunction, manifested as limited neck movement.
4.The vertebral artery is twisted and the blood supply is reduced, manifesting as vertigo.
5.Dislodged vertebral artery plaque, easily causing lacunar cerebral embolism.
6, occipital nerve injury, manifested as headache.