Jarrett,

I totally and completely agree with you. I have been a "spiney" for a long time. Since there is stenosis and osteophytes there is NO WAY I would use traction. Forget the monies involved; it is a big scam in my opinion. Trust me, I have talked to my spinal PM a hundred times about conservative therapies like this; traction and even chiropractic and it is all hogwash. I was put in cervical traction once and it made me much worse. I thank God every day for the spinal group I eventually found. There are far better treatments for this than just traction. Think about the traction itself, just pulling on the lumbar spine. And when done, I can just visualize what it is doing or could do to the nerve roots. To me it is potentially dangerous and could potentially cause more problems than what is worth such as bowel and bladder issues. Sorry Melody, I don't mean to sound abrupt. But obviously Alan has two separate issues going on...the PN and the spinal disorders. I would NOT, NOT, NOT do the traction. I was just talking to a gal the other day that was doing lumbar traction and now she is much worse off. I simply wouldn't do it and I would find a good spinal PM, NS or OS. I know people are going to disagree with me. But considering Alan has stenosis and all kinds of spinal issues, I would not let anyone or anything manipulate my spine at all!

PainMD,

EXCELLENT point! Peripheral and central are two totally different beasts. AGAIN, two different and distinct processes!