METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING TRACTION TO THE SPINAL COLUMN

摘要

A traction force is applied at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the patient's spine and progressively increased over a period of time. A fulcrum member is applied against the posterior portion of the cervical region of a person's spine while the traction force pulls the cervical region and bends it rearwardly about the fulcrum member to stretch the soft tissues of the spine . In preferred embodiments the fulcrum member applies a progressively increasi ng fulcrum force, and the traction force likewise progressively increases durin g the treatment period. An electronic control system may be used to automatically control application of the fulcrum and traction forces.