July 2008

Restoring spinal curvature: What really works?

While most chiropractors agree that their primary purpose is to correct subluxations. One vitally important aspect of corrective chiropractic care is restoring the normal spinal curves.

Traditional chiropractic adjusting techniques are effective in reducing the neuromusculoskeletal effects of subluxation and will often allow the spine to return to a more normal state of alignment. However, tests have shown that a number of the profession's most popular techniques are only marginally effective at restoring the normal curvature of the neck.

Fortunately, several studies have provided strong evidence that cervical and lumbar curves can be effectively rehabilitated using postural exercise and simple methods of extension traction.

According to Mark R. Payne, DC, an acknowledged expert in extension traction, these methods can and should be used by all doctors regardless of their technique. "There's no need for doctors to change their adjusting methods," he stressed. "Most techniques appear to be equally effective at helping patients feel better, even though they do not significantly improve the overall spinal structure."

Although extension traction is undergoing resurgence in popularity, it's not a new technique. In fact, it's thought to have been developed by chiropractic pioneer Solon Massey Langworthy, DC, a 1901 graduate of DD Palmer's chiropractic school. "Lumbar extension traction has been used from the time of the earliest chiropractic pioneers until the present as a means to restore normal alignment to the lordotic curve of the lumbar spine," stated chiropractic researcher Stephan J Troyanovich in a 2003 article for the Journal of the American Chiropractic Association.

As chiropractic has become more and more outcome- and evidence-based, doctors are taking a hard look at the necessity for addressing postural defects that may be the underlying cause of subluxations and health concerns.

"Normal spinal curves are absolutely vital to prevent early onset of disc degeneration, spur formation, pathological stress forces on the central nervous system, irritation of spinal nerve roots, chronic muscular strain, and abnormal spinal motion," Dr. Payne explains. "It is not enough to merely improve the patient's symptoms or gross range of motion. It is not enough to restore normal intersegmental motion. It is not enough to just balance the legs or correct the nasium view on the x-ray. It is vital for the future health of our patients that we restore the spine to a posture which is as nearly optimum as is practicably possible."

Based on the latest available research, it is clear that extension traction techniques have the best record of restoring normal spinal curves and are increasing becoming an integral part of the chiropractic practice.

For more information on extension traction, doctors can contact Dr. Payne for a free copy of his new report "The Best Corrections of Your Career." Dr. Payne can be reached at 334-448-1210 or by visiting Matlinmfg.com.