The human body is like a machine with many parts, and each part is assigned to perform a different operation. If any body part starts performing tasks beyond its capacity, it will get tired and ultimately lessen its efficiency. Inadequate rest and care would lead to problems within the body and cause inflammation inside it which could make the person highly uncomfortable.
For curing the pains and sufferings of the body, a vast number of treatments are available. Every illness brings its healing along with it in a lot of cases. Medication, surgery, radiation therapy, etc., all these are the widely used methods by medical practitioners. Apart from these, another very effective way of treating body pains, especially muscular pains, is through the method of traction.
Traction is employed in various areas for the cure of body pains, splints, sprains, etc. A few standard traction approaches include: Milwaukee brace, Buck's traction, Bryant's traction, Russell's traction and Dunlop traction. All these are used for one issue or the other. Basic traction is divided into two parts; skeletal traction and spinal decompression.
Skeletal traction makes use of wire, pin or a screw by placing it inside the affected bone. After the insertion, weights are attached to the bone for stretching it back to the original place. The patient is given any of the available anesthesia to avoid the pain he or she may feel during the procedure. This kind of traction is used to treat fractures as the force is applied directly to the bones, without hurting the surrounding tissues.
Spinal decompression is performed without hitting the bones. Instead, it is isolated inside-out by inflatable girdles or use of the transversus abdominis muscle. It is also incorporated in thigh-supported flexed-hip traction (inversion chairs, back hyperextensions) along with conjunction with whole-leg traction (boots, tables) via inverted forms of suspension.
Pelvic traction refers to treating the lower back problems including sciatica, nerve root disorders, minor fractures of the lower spine, and muscle spasms of the lower spine. Our spine gets to face the most of the injuries and internal pains as the whole body weight and posture are being carried on it. Wrong position, continuous desk work, minor accidents which affect the spine, deterioration of bones due to minerals deficiency, all these add up to lower back problems. Pelvic traction cures all these only if done rightly and appropriately.
The first step in performing this traction is the adjustment of the bed of the patient. The doctor would set the bed according to the requirement of the treatment. A few precautions might be necessary and highly helpful to take before starting the process. This includes checking and adjusting the pelvic straps to avoid any inconvenience and fixing them tightly.
As the pelvic belt is forced on the skin directly, checking skin for any possible irritation would be a good idea. Some powder dust and other skin care methods would prevent irritation and breakdown on the skin.
A foot board should be placed to avoid foot drop. Pelvic belts should be laundered and replaced regularly to avoid any unhygienic situation. Ensure that the angle of pull is correct. Often a wrong angle can add to patient's discomfort.
Briefing the patient about the safety measurements is also very necessary. Doing so, will make the patient understand the importance and need of these measures and help in being more cooperative during the treatment with the doctors.
Pelvic traction would assist the dislocated joints to stay in their original place along with healing the inflammation and internal pains. When buying items for pelvic traction make sure you buy high quality products.
