[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10321

The problem with an over the door traction unit is that the mandible (jaw) is incorporated in the traction mechanism. Traction therefore puts undo pressure on the TMJ (temporal mandibular joint). This means that about 20 pounds is all these units should hold.

I might use up to 60 pounds of traction in the emergency room for a dislocation of the neck. That however is under strict supervision and the patient has tong traction (pins that attach directly into the skull).

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

[exercise453]

#10359

So Doc,
An inversion table can be mounted on a platform. You could then wear the overhead harness, do away with the pulley part and attach weight or water bag directly to the harness without interference from the floor because of the platform. You could customize the weight by adding to the inversion table 15 lb “bowling ball” weight by adding the additional weight attached to the harness. The weight attached to the harness would be below 20lbs so as not to jeopardize TMJ.

If the weight on a home cervical traction unit could be safely customized as part of a regular pain management regimen and TMJ was not a factor what is the safe but effective weight you would recommend???

From your chiropractor days what was the weight used on the DX 9000 for the cervical spine???

Thanks

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10364

I do not know what weight the DRX 9000 uses. I assume that it varies with the servomotor feedback mechanism.

I would worry about using neck traction on an inversion table. With any small mistake (cable getting caught, bag causing imbalance to prevent getting upright again), I think that would be dangerous.

You have to remember that traction is really a temporary treatment as you have to stand upright eventually and that 20 pound bowling ball attached to your shoulders presses down on the neck once again.

Dr. Corenman

PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
 
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.

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