Intersegmental Traction Therapy

Intersegmental Traction Therapy in Walnut Creek, California

A Gentle, Relaxing Therapy for Back Stiffness, Tightness and Spinal Mobility

Does your back ever feel like it just needs to move?

Maybe you've been sitting at a desk for hours and your back feels stiff when you finally stand up. Perhaps you spend much of your day on your feet and notice tightness by the evening. Or you may already be receiving chiropractic care and Dr. Nick Stojanovich believes some additional gentle movement may complement your treatment plan.

At Stojanovich Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California, intersegmental traction is one of several supportive therapies Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may incorporate into individualized chiropractic care.

And despite its technical-sounding name, the experience itself is quite straightforward.

You lie comfortably on a specialized table while rollers beneath the surface move gently along your back.

What Is Intersegmental Traction Therapy?

Intersegmental traction uses a specialized chiropractic table with moving rollers beneath its surface.

As you lie on the table, the rollers travel beneath your back, creating gentle movement through different areas of the spine and surrounding tissues.

Unlike a chiropractic adjustment performed by Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C., the movement during an intersegmental traction session comes from the table itself.

For appropriate patients, it may be used as a supportive therapy when Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. believes gentle spinal movement and soft-tissue relaxation may complement the overall treatment plan.

Intersegmental Traction for Back Stiffness and Tight Muscles

Sometimes your back doesn't necessarily feel injured.

It just feels tight.

Long hours sitting at a computer, driving, standing, working, exercising, gardening, or repeating the same movements can leave your back feeling stiff or uncomfortable.

You may notice it when you first get out of a chair.

You may feel it when you bend, twist, reach, or get out of bed.

Or perhaps you simply don't feel as comfortable moving as you normally do.

Rather than deciding on your own that you need traction, tell us what you're experiencing.

Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate your concerns and determine whether intersegmental traction, chiropractic care, another supportive therapy, or a different approach may be appropriate.

How Does an Intersegmental Traction Table Work?

An intersegmental traction table contains rollers that move beneath the surface of the table and along the patient's back.

The movement of the rollers creates gentle mechanical motion through the areas being treated.

Settings may be adjusted according to the patient and the particular equipment being used.

For many patients, the experience is primarily passive, you simply lie on the table and relax while the equipment provides the movement.

The important part isn't the machinery.

It's determining whether this particular therapy makes sense for you.

What Does Intersegmental Traction Feel Like?

This is one of the first questions patients may have when they see the table.

Intersegmental traction is intended to provide gentle movement rather than a forceful chiropractic adjustment.

You'll lie on the table while the rollers move beneath your back. Depending on the settings, you may notice pressure and movement as the rollers travel along the treatment area.

Many people find the experience relaxing.

If anything feels uncomfortable during treatment, let us know so the treatment can be stopped or adjusted as appropriate.

What Happens During an Intersegmental Traction Session?

If Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. determines that intersegmental traction may be appropriate for you, we'll explain what to expect before your session begins.

You'll be positioned comfortably on the traction table. Once the treatment begins, rollers beneath the table move along the back according to the selected settings.

You don't need to perform exercises or actively move with the machine.

Just relax.

Treatment time and settings depend on the individual patient, the equipment, and how the therapy is being incorporated into your overall care.

Intersegmental Traction as Part of Chiropractic Care

At Stojanovich Chiropractic, intersegmental traction isn't a replacement for an appropriate evaluation or chiropractic care when chiropractic treatment is indicated.

It's another tool available to Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C.

For some patients, intersegmental traction may be incorporated before or after other aspects of a chiropractic visit. For others, a different supportive therapy may make more sense.

That's why we don't believe every patient needs every therapy.

Your care should reflect your body, your symptoms, your health history, and your goals.

Intersegmental Traction for an Active Lifestyle

Stiffness doesn't only affect people who are sedentary.

Active people can feel it too.

Working out, golfing, hiking, gardening, playing recreational sports, performing physical work, traveling, or simply keeping up with a busy life can place different demands on your back.

On the other hand, spending long periods sitting at a computer or commuting can create its own set of challenges.

Whatever your routine looks like, feeling stiff or uncomfortable can make ordinary movement less enjoyable.

Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. works with patients in Walnut Creek and surrounding East Bay communities to understand what's interfering with comfortable movement and determine an appropriate approach to care.

When indicated, intersegmental traction may be one supportive component of that plan.

Is Intersegmental Traction Appropriate for Everyone?

No.

Intersegmental traction isn't appropriate for every person, condition, injury, or stage of recovery.

Your health history, symptoms, examination findings, recent injuries or procedures, bone health, and other medical considerations can affect whether this type of mechanical therapy is appropriate.

That's why treatment begins with determining what you're experiencing rather than simply putting every patient on the traction table.

Make sure Dr. Stojanovich knows about relevant medical conditions, injuries, surgeries, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, osteoporosis or other bone-health concerns, and anything else that may affect treatment decisions.

If intersegmental traction isn't appropriate, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can discuss other options or recommend additional evaluation when necessary.

Intersegmental Traction vs. Mechanical Traction: What's the Difference?

The names sound similar, but they aren't necessarily the same therapy.

An intersegmental traction table uses moving rollers beneath the patient to create gentle movement along areas of the spine and surrounding tissues.

Mechanical traction generally uses equipment designed to apply a controlled pulling or decompressive force to a particular area of the spine.

Because Stojanovich Chiropractic offers different supportive therapies, you don't need to determine which type of traction you need before scheduling.

Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate your concerns and determine whether traction is appropriate and, if so, which approach may make sense for your individual situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Intersegmental Traction Therapy

What Is an Intersegmental Traction Table?

It is a specialized table with rollers beneath its surface. As the patient lies on the table, the rollers move along the back to provide gentle mechanical movement to the treatment area.

Does Intersegmental Traction Hurt?

The therapy is intended to be gentle. You will typically feel the rollers moving beneath your back. Tell us immediately if anything feels uncomfortable so we can respond appropriately.

Is Intersegmental Traction the Same as a Chiropractic Adjustment?

No. A chiropractic adjustment is performed by a chiropractor. With intersegmental traction, movement is produced by the specialized table.

Is Intersegmental Traction the Same as Mechanical Traction?

Not necessarily. Intersegmental traction typically involves rollers moving beneath the back, while mechanical traction generally applies a controlled pulling force to a targeted area. The appropriate therapy depends on the individual patient and clinical situation.

How Long Does an Intersegmental Traction Session Take?

Treatment time can vary depending on the patient, equipment, and treatment plan. We'll explain how the therapy will be used as part of your care.

Can Intersegmental Traction Be Used With Chiropractic Adjustments?

When appropriate, Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. may incorporate intersegmental traction alongside chiropractic care or other supportive therapies.

Do I Need to Know Whether I Need Traction Before Scheduling?

No. Tell us what you're experiencing. Dr. Nick Stojanovich, D.C. can evaluate your concerns and determine which treatment options may be appropriate.