Effect of Extension Therapy in the Most Common Vertebral Syndromes

The modern and fast pace of life and learning to take a forced position for a long time, initiate a wide range of dysfunctions and pathokinesiological changes of the spine with a diverse clinical picture. Pathokinesiological changes in the spine can occur in all levels of the spinal column, so they first begin with the loss of physiological curves and subsequently lead to degenerative changes. The most common vertebral syndromes that occur in patients are: facet syndromes, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, spinal instability, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis (spondyloarthrosis) of the cervical and lumbar spine and disc herniation. The incidence of occurrence occurs in the middle part of life, but it is not excluded in the younger population, due to the fast lifestyle and modern industrial living. Seen from a pathokinesiology point of view, the above-mentioned changes that occur in patients can be easily overcome and alleviated with the help of physical therapy and kinesitherapy. The means offered by physical therapy and kinesitherapy can relieve symptoms and increase the mobility of the affected joints. Extension therapy (traction) belongs to mechanotherapy and is characterized by stretching certain parts of the body with the help of mechanical force, is used to reduce or eliminate the occurrences of compression and irritation of nerve elements and blood vessels, thereby reducing pain and increasing impaired circulation that occurs as a result of degenerative changes affecting the a certain region. The aim of the research is to study the effect of extension therapy in improving the mobility of the spine in the most common vertebral syndromes. Material and methods: 22 patients (11 men and 11 women) aged 35 to 50 years with diagnosed vertebral syndromes were included in the research study. During the rehabilitation, a functional test is applied - goniometry. Differences in gender, work engagement, physical activity and type of the most common vertebral syndromes are monitored. Measurements are carried out at the beginning of the rehabilitation, in the middle and at the end of the treatments. According to what the extension can be during application, it can be cervical or lumbar, horizontal or vertical along the axis of the body and according to the method of traction it can be static, intermittent and/or cyclic. The method of application differs depending on whether cervical or lumbar extension is applied. During cervical extension, the patient is in a lying supinated position, so the mechanical force delivered by the device should overcome the weight of the neck. Lumbar extension is performed on a special table, the patient is in a supinated position, the legs are flexed at the hips and knees, and the lower legs are placed on special props that are mobile and can be moved. This is important because in this position the leveling of the lumbar lordosis, relaxation of the paravertebral muscles and the musculoskeletal segments is achieved. Results: From the processed data results are obtained for a significant improvement of the range of movements in the cervical and thoracic region. Conclusion: Kinesitherapy and methodological guidelines for strengthening the paravertebral, abdominal and gluteal muscles in combination with electrotherapy which has a main analgesic effect and a combination with extension therapy can lead to significant changes in terms of increasing the amplitude of movement in the affected joints of the spine. Key words: extension therapy, vertebral syndromes, cervical region, thoracic region