Traditionally, chiropractic has focused largely on a functional model of treatment and relies on the concept that manipulation of the spine allows improved functional movement, which in turn allows greater overall spinal function and general health. While this method has been shown to offer symptomatic relief to patients, manipulation in and of itself has not been shown to effectively or permanently improve or correct abnormal spinal structure.
Soft tissues associated with the spine and other body structures exhibit a unique characteristic known as “viscoelasticity.” This property allows the soft tissue to return to its original shape and length if a submaximal force is applied for a relatively short period of time, such as, for example, less than five minutes. This explains why traditional spinal manipulation, with a typical duration of a fraction of a second, typically does not cause a permanent change in the structure of the spine.
On the other hand, soft tissues also exhibit the property of “plastic deformation”, by which the tissues deform permanently if a force is applied thereto over a prolonged period of time. Thus, “extension” traction therapy, which applies a force at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the spine and typically for a duration of between five and twenty minutes, has been shown to consistently correct abnormal spinal curves.
The present invention relates to the field of extension traction therapy for correcting abnormal spinal curves and, in particular, to improved methods and equipment for use in that field. It has particular, but not exclusive, utility in correcting the shape of the cervical region of a person's spine. In doing so, it has related positive effect on the rest of the spine as well.