Use Of Traction Devices In Physical Therapy

Health care services and physical therapy are not going anywhere. There will always be a need for services of this kind as long as there are physical problems with humans. As technology and society advances, the efficiency and effectiveness of these services do as well. In the modern era there is a great measure of devices that help medical professionals to offer the best medical service possible. These are just a few of the thousands of devices that help health service professionals do their job.

The first device is a traction device. This instrument is most commonly used in a physical therapy setting. A patient receiving this type of treatment normally suffers from a pinched nerve in his/her neck. It works like this: there is usually some sort of curved piece or a two points sticking up creating a slot for the neck to rest in. There is then a weight, wrapped around the head, pulling it back (the head is hanging). This process then begins to stretch the spine out and restore a normal curve to the spinal part of the neck. Over time this will help to relieve paint and stress on the nerve. The use of traction devices has helped many patients overcome chronic neck pain and other symptoms of that nature.

Another tool that has become a staple in modern medical technology is ultrasound machines. This device does not help to cure patients with an ailment, but helps to diagnose it. Differently than traction devices, doctors use these machines to view what's inside a person and not fix something from the outside. Ultrasound machines are most notably used for viewing pregnancies and examining the baby in the womb.

Although this is the most widely known use, it is very common for doctors and ultrasound technicians to use this technology to view other aspects of the human body. Examining the kidneys, liver, heart, stomach and many other organs is normal. This machine works by sending a sound wave with a frequency far above human hearing. Typically this frequency is between 1-10 MHz. The wave hits the desired area and reflects back to the device. The device then interprets this reflection and produces an image.

Technology like traction devices and ultrasound machines has revolutionized the medical field. Doctors and therapists use these instruments across the world and have had exponential success. Experienced use of these tools along with many other tools and techniques continues to enhance medical care and in turn, extend and improve human life expectancy and comfort.