Torture or Treatment?

When we get visits from young people to the clinic they are interested to hear about the IDD machine. When you think about it this technical piece of the equipment is not that far removed from ‘the rack’ used in medieval times to extract information. Knowing what we do now about the benefits of stretching, you could wonder if those who confessed early on after only a couple of turns of the rack jumped off feeling better before being imprisoned or worse?? “Back feels great pity I’m about to be executed”. Of course we also know now that precision targeting of the correct areas with traction is vital to success.

It wasn’t so long ago that if you had certain back conditions you would be taken to hospital and put on traction – sometimes for weeks at a time. The other common ‘treatment’ was a very restrictive corset. The problem with these methods was that results were inconsistent it was almost a ‘one size fits all’ – only it didn’t.

In fact, the idea of using traction as a treatment has been around since the end of the 18th century but at that time it was used by neurologists. At the end of the 19th century the method became popular in the treatment of tabes dorsalis and other neurological diseases. During the beginning of the 20th century suspension was replaced by traction in neurology. Traction was used by both neurologists and orthopaedic specialists but later on neurologists lost their interest in it and it found greater use for back problems.

Initially traction devices used by physiotherapists were crude consisting of a winching motor fitted to the end of a treatment couch. Some patients reported benefits but the limitations gave inconsistent results, so it went out of favour as a tool.

Traditional traction and even decompression devices failed due to their inability to treat specific spinal levels and in the aggressive, jolt-type pulling. This jerking movement could result in creating spasms and increased pain. IDD Therapy spinal decompression with oscillation was developed to address these failings.

With the use of computer software directed vectors, distraction forces are applied at measured angles to target spinal segments, the optimal force and advanced dynamic patterns bring about change. The use of this patented methodology enables therapists to work with patients to help avoid pain medication and invasive treatments.

Our specialist IDD therapist is Michael Palfrey who has been using this specialist traction for the last eight years.

Michael says, “IDD Therapy is a fantastic treatment for those people who have been experiencing severe neck or back pain as a result of a disc injury. Often those people have tried various other treatments with limited success and they may even have been told that their only hope is an injection or operation. Over the years I have been using IDD Therapy I have helped a significant number of people avoid more invasive treatment. This has allowed them to return to work and, in some cases, a high level of sporting activity.”

Call us today if you would like an appointment to discuss IDD Therapy for your injury.