TX® Traction
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ABOUT TRACTION THERAPY
Effects of Traction Therapy
The TX traction unit provides a treatment in static, intermittent, and
cyclic distraction forces to relieve pressures on structures that may be
causing pain of skeletal or muscular origin (cervical, thoracic, lumbar, hip,
wrist, shoulder). Therapeutic distraction can be applied in a variety of
programmable patterns, cycles, and functions.
Progressive Traction
Progressive traction refers to a traction phase during the treatment when
the tension gradually increases.
Regressive Traction
Regressive traction refers to a traction phase during the treatment when
the tension gradually decreases.
TX (Traction)
TX (Traction ) refers to the type of traction used during a treatment.
There are three modes to choose from: Static, Intermittent, or Cyclic
Traction Mode.
Steps
The term “step” refers to the increment in which the traction tension is
either increased or decreased during therapy.
Static Traction Therapy
This term denotes that a steady amount of traction is applied for periods
from a few minutes up to 99 minutes. The shorter duration is usually
coupled with more weight. Static lumbar traction is most effective if
a split table is utilized to reduce friction. It is important that it is the
type that maintains constant tension. This way, any slack developed as
the patient relaxes during the traction therapy is automatically taken
up and the desired amount of traction is maintained. Static traction is
sometimes referred to as sustained traction.
Intermittent Traction Therapy
This form of traction alternates traction tension between tension levels
- Maximum and Minimum - every few seconds throughout the timed
treatment. It is also most effective if a split table is used to reduce friction
when giving lumbar traction. In the progressive and regressive phases,
the unit pulls to the calculated tension, holds for the set hold time, then
drops to 50% of this tension, holds the set rest time, and then repeats this
step for the number of steps selected. However, once the minimum level
is reached, the unit uses the minimum level for the rest time.
Cyclic Traction
Cyclic traction refers to progressive (gradually increasing traction tension)
and regressive (gradually decreasing traction tension) phases of the
traction program being repeated continuously throughout the entire
course of the treatment.
OVERVIEW OF TRACTION THERAPY
COMMON TERMS
