Sciatica and Back Pain Management: New Home Treatment Device May Be Effective

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Sciatica and back pain are conditions where the symptoms naturally wax and wane in terms of frequency and intensity. Treatment for sciatica and back pain ranges from evidenced based therapies to the latest “snake oil” remedy. While the majority of sciatica and back pain cases represent a medical enigma, one thing is for certain; very few treatment options are actually effective.

My purpose here is to provide you with a review of a popular treatment option for the management of sciatica and back pain. My hope is that the information provided will assist you in making better decisions for the management of your particular condition.

To relieve lower back pain and sciatica, spinal decompression, improving muscular flexibility, and enhancing one’s posture are all treatment options advocated by many health care professionals. Specific treatment ranges from high tech traction devices to very simple stretching exercises. Look in any magazine or land on any late night infomercial and you’re sure to come across some form of back care treatment claiming to “end back pain forever”.

True Back Device
One such device advertised on the Internet is the True Back. The True Back claims to be a non-powered orthopedic traction device that helps eliminate pain by decompressing the spine and lengthening the muscles of the back.

The unit is made of a single piece of hollow plastic approximately 24 inches long by 10 inches wide, making it very light weight. The top of the True Back has a center channel that the bony part of the spine lies in. On either side of this channel are 15 pairs of suspension posts that are situated in such a way as to provide constant pressure to the muscles on either side of the spine. On the outside of these posts, are two removable foam cushions.

How It Works
To use the True Back, a person positions the unit so that the center channel lines up with the center of your back. From here, you simply lay back on the device as shown here.

The spine is suspended in the center channel while the weight of the body is supported on the suspension posts. The prolonged pressure provided to the spinal muscles results in a relaxation effect. While lying on the True Back, you are encouraged to take slow, deep breaths and allow your body to relax. Treatment time is a steady progression based on your tolerance and can last from a few seconds to several minutes.

The manufacturer of the True Back claims that the device provides spinal traction or decompression. This claim can be argued as there is no actual separation of the vertebral bodies themselves as you would expect to encounter with traction or decompression. That being said, however, one could argue that the front portion of the vertebrae in the thoracic spine move sway from one another while on the device resulting in an “apparent” elongation of the spine and an overall improvement in posture.

My Recommendation
The True Back Device is a handy device to assist with improving upright posture and spinal mobility, specifically that of thoracic and lumbar extension. Its use will also assist in improving the flexibility of the abdominals, anterior neck, chest, and shoulder musculature. For this reason, I would recommend the use of the True Back in treating the Backward Pelvis and Forward Head Syndromes as defined here: 4 Common Causes of Sciatica & Back Pain

Keep in mind, however, that, while I like the device in certain respects, it, in no way, represents a “final solution” to back pain. The medical research is quite clear in its assessment of back pain treatment options; active treatment has more long term benefits than does passive treatment. The True Back IS passive treatment and should only be utilized within the context of an active rehabilitation program and only for specific conditions.

Perhaps some of you have used the True Back and would like to comment. I certainly would like to know your experience with this device, especially the effects it had on your sciatica and back pain.

Of course, anyone with a question or comment, feel free to fire away in the comment section below. Oh, by the way, if there is something you’d like me to review related to anything back pain, let me know and I’ll see what I can do.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT,MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

Back Pain, Sciatica, or a Herniated Disc Got You Down?

This blog post has absolutely nothing to do with back pain, sciatica or a herniated disc - well practically nothing.

I get notes from people all the time who desperately desire to get their life back - the life back pain has “stolen” from them.

Some of these folks are so down, they have to look up to see bottom. Maybe you can relate.

Anyway, I thought I’d pass along a note I received from a friend that technically has nothing to do with back pain other than give you hope for better days ahead. Hope this brings a smile to your face and a glimmer of light at the end of your “back pain tunnel”. Enjoy!

1. There are at least 2 people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to at least 3 other people.
7. Someone that you don’t even know exists, trusts you.
8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another look because what you see may surprise you.

I’d love to hear your comments. Please use the form below and let me know what you think.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain,

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert