Touch Screen Traction Unit Dynatron SmarTrac
It is estimated that 80% of adults will experience back or neck pain in their life of sufficient magnitude to result in a visit to the doctor or absence from work. Of course, there are various types of spinal pathologies that can cause pain. However, mechanical spinal traction provides a “pulling force” which creates a separation action between vertebrae. This separation effect helps reduces the signs and symptoms of cervical and lumbar compression.
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Indication for Use |
Pulling Force - Mechanism of Decompression & Pain Relief |
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Spinal nerve root compression due to vertebral disc bulge, herniation, protrusion |
Creates separation between the vertebrae above and the vertebrae below the spinal nerve as it exits the spinal cord. This decreases the pressure and pain by helping to move the herniated nucleus pulposus back into the center of the disc and off the spinal nerve roots. |
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Vertebral facet dysfunction |
Creates a gliding separation of the vertebral facets which provides a stretch of their joint capsules which increases joint mobility and opens up the intervertebral foramina to reduce pressure on the spinal nerve roots. |
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Paraspinal muscle spasm/guarding
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Reduces tension in the intervertebral facets via stretching of the paraspinal muscles which facilitates their relaxation allowing the intervertebral facets to open up reducing pressure on the spinal nerve roots. |
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Intervertebral foraminal stenosis
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Increases the superior-inferior dimensions of the intervertebral foramina to increase the opening to create more space for the spinal nerve roots thus reducing compressive forces. |
All of the above mechanisms of decompression are also associated with enhancing capillary blood flow to affected soft tissues and when applicable helping to reset altered nerve root firing patterns, facilitating healing and modulating pain
The Dynatron SmarTrac Traction Unit
The Dynatron SmarTrac Traction Unit represents the latest in traction technology providing several types of traction. These differing traction types can also be combined for unique therapeutic intervention protocols.
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Traction Type |
Description |
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Static Traction (also referred to as sustained) |
Static traction incorporates the use of a sustained or constant level of tension (pulling force) for an extended period of time. The length of treatment and the amount of force used are inversely related. |
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Progressive Traction |
Progressive traction involves a phase in the treatment session where there is a progressive increase in tension (puling force). |
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Regressive Traction |
Regressive traction involves a phase in the treatment session where there the tension (puling force) decreases. |
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Cycling Traction |
Cycling traction involves both progressive and regressive phases of traction that are repeated continuously throughout the entire treatment period. |
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Intermittent Traction |
Intermittent traction administers alternating tension (pulling force) levels – minimum-maximum – every few seconds throughout the entire treatment period. |
Unique Features of the Dynatron SmarTech Traction Unit
- Easy to use touch screen interface that allows full programmability, provides intuitive menus for selection, and allows saving of favorite protocols.
- Graphic interface continually updates to show the current state of treatment
- Ability to configure traction force by body weight
- Accurate pulling force is constantly updated for consistent treatments
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Contraindications or the Use of Spinal Traction |
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Contraindication |
Reason |
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Spinal infections (meningitis, arachnoiditis) |
Could contribute to a spread of the infection. |
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Spinal cancer |
Traction may contribute to a metastasis of the cancer or promote instability. |
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Spinal cord pressure |
Traction may aggregate the conditions of large disc prolapse, hematoma, or severe osteophyte in a patient exhibiting bilateral neurologic signs. |
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Rheumatoid arthritis |
Arthritic patients may have fragile joint capsules, ligaments, and bones that could be irritated by traction. |
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Atlantoaxial instability |
Increased risk for subluxation. |
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Osteoarthritis |
Severely osteoporotic bones can be at risk for fracture |
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Recent fracture |
May cause misalignment of healing bones |
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Medical conditions of abdominal or hiatal hernias, uncontrolled hypertension, aortic aneurysm, severe hemorrhoids |
These medical conditions may be aggravated by the increase in intra-abdominal pressure produced by the corsets used to produce the force-counterforce during traction |
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If neurological symptoms or pain worsens during traction treatment |
May indicate disc migration or protrusion into the spinal canal |
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Precautions for the Use of Spinal Traction |
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Precaution |
Reason |
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Ligament sprains and joint hypermobility |
Specific to the atlantoaxial, cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbosacral junctions, if the ligaments that support these joints are sprained the pulling force of traction could irritate these areas. |
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Acute states of injury |
Traction force may aggregate inflammatory conditions and increase swelling. |
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Cardiac or respiratory insufficiency |
Be cautious for negative changes in vital signs that may be brought on by application of the traction harness or anxiety of being strapped in. |
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Pregnancy |
The ligaments of pregnant women, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, have excessive laxity and should not be further stretched. Using a pelvic harness for lumbar traction may increase intra-abdominal pressure. |
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Claustrophobia |
Patients prone to claustrophobic attacks may be triggered by being placed in a harness and muscles can tense and impede the effect of traction |
