Living with degenerative disc disease can make everyday life difficult. From struggling with constant lower back pain to dealing with limited mobility, this condition can significantly impact your quality of life. For many people, finding effective solutions to manage discomfort and improve movement can feel overwhelming.
Our mechanical traction therapy in Edmonton offers a non-invasive option for managing disc degeneration and relieving pressure in the spine. By gently stretching the spine, mechanical traction can reduce disc compression and provide long-term relief for chronic back pain. If you’re looking for a natural way to manage your symptoms, traction therapy may be a great addition to your treatment plan.
What is Degenerative Disc Disease?
Degenerative disc disease is a condition that occurs as the spinal discs begin to wear down with age or overuse. These discs act as cushions between the vertebrae, absorbing shock and supporting movement. Over time, they lose hydration and elasticity, leading to disc compression, reduced mobility, and chronic back pain.
Common symptoms of disc degeneration include:
- Persistent lower back or neck pain.
- Pain that worsens with movement, bending, or sitting for long periods.
- A sensation of pins and needles or numbness in the legs or arms due to nerve compression.
- Reduced flexibility and stiffness in the spine.
Although the condition is progressive, treatments like mechanical traction can help relieve pain and slow the progression of symptoms.
What is Mechanical Traction Therapy?
Mechanical traction therapy is a gentle treatment that stretches the spine to minimize pressure on the discs and nerves. The therapy uses a specialized device to apply controlled force that elongates the spine, creating space between compressed vertebrae. This can help relieve pressure caused by disc degeneration, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to the affected area. Our mechanical traction therapy in Edmonton provides relief for conditions like:
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Chronic Back Pain
- Herniated or Bulging Discs
- Sciatica
- Nerve Compression
Traction therapy works by addressing the underlying issue—disc compression—and not just the symptoms.
How Does Mechanical Traction Help with Degenerative Disc Disease?
For those living with degenerative disc disease, mechanical traction therapy can provide several benefits by reducing pressure on the spinal discs and creating an environment for healing. Here’s how it works:
Reduces Disc Compression
Traction gently pulls the spine, creating space between the vertebrae. This reduces pressure on the discs, alleviates nerve irritation, and improves spinal alignment.
Relieves Chronic Back Pain
By decompressing the spine, traction therapy reduces pressure on sensitive nerves and tissues. This can significantly relieve persistent lower back pain associated with disc degeneration.
Promotes Healing
Traction therapy improves blood flow to the spinal discs, delivering oxygen and nutrients that help repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation.
Improves Mobility
As pressure on the discs decreases, you may notice improved flexibility and reduced stiffness, making daily movements more comfortable.
Who Can Benefit from Mechanical Traction Therapy?
Mechanical traction therapy can be a valuable option for individuals experiencing:
- Chronic Back Pain: If your back pain is constant or worsens with movement, traction can provide relief.
- Disc Degeneration: For those with degenerative disc disease, traction therapy can reduce compression and slow the progression of symptoms.
- Limited Mobility: Stiffness and reduced flexibility caused by disc compression can improve with regular traction sessions.
- Nerve Pain: Conditions like sciatica, where nerves are compressed or irritated, can benefit from the space created by traction.
If you’re unsure whether mechanical traction therapy is right for you, our physiotherapists can assess your condition and guide you toward a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
What You’ll Experience in a Mechanical Traction Session?
If you’re new to traction therapy, you might be wondering what the process involves. Here’s what you can expect:
- Initial Assessment: Our physiotherapists start with a detailed evaluation of your symptoms, spine health, and mobility to determine if traction is appropriate for you.
- The Treatment: During a session, you’ll be comfortably positioned on a traction table or device. The machine gently stretches the spine in a controlled, precise manner.
- Relaxation and Monitoring: You’ll feel a light pull as the spine is gently decompressed. The treatment is typically painless and often relaxing.
- Post-Treatment Care: After your session, we may recommend exercises or stretches to complement your traction therapy and maintain results.
Each session typically lasts 15-30 minutes, and many people notice improvements after just a few traction treatments.
Why Combine Traction Therapy with Physiotherapy?
At our physiotherapy clinic, we often combine mechanical traction with targeted physiotherapy exercises to achieve better outcomes for degenerative disc disease treatment. While traction reduces pain and pressure, physiotherapy strengthens the surrounding muscles, stabilizes the spine, and prevents further degeneration.
- Core Strengthening: Exercises such as Pelvic Tilts improve stability and provide better support for the spine.
- Flexibility Training: Stretching such as cat-cow stretch helps maintain mobility and reduces stiffness.
- Posture Correction: Improving alignment can alleviate unnecessary strain on the discs.
Combining therapies allows us to address both the symptoms and the root cause of chronic back pain, promoting long-term relief and enhanced quality of life.
Is Mechanical Traction Therapy Safe?
Yes, mechanical traction therapy is safe when performed under the supervision of qualified physiotherapists. It is a safe, non-invasive option with very few risks, making it a suitable option for many individuals dealing with disc degeneration or back pain.
Our Next Step team ensures that each session is tailored to your comfort level, gradually adjusting the intensity to achieve optimal results without discomfort.
Take the Next Step With Next Step Physiotherapy:
Living with chronic back discomfort caused by disc degeneration can be challenging, but relief is possible. Our mechanical traction therapy in Edmonton offers a gentle, non-surgical solution to decompress the spine, reduce pressure on discs, and improve mobility.
At Next Step Physiotherapy, we provide mechanical traction therapy to help you manage symptoms and feel more comfortable. Our team will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that includes traction therapy and exercises for long-term relief.
Ready to ease your back pain? Contact Next Step Physiotherapy today to book your appointment and take the next step toward a pain-free life!