:dropcap_open:W:dropcap_close:hat happens with your patients if you are no longer physically able to adjust them using manual manipulation on a short-term or long-term basis? After experiencing some major medical issues I found myself in just that position, asking the same question.
When I was able to return to my office, an infection had left my lumbar spine in such bad shape that most activities were painful and impossible to perform. In addition, my colleague of many years decided to move on with his own practice, and I realized that my business was finished. I reluctantly wrote a letter thanking my patients for 34 years of support and assuring them that their records would be available and ready to be transferred to the provider of their choice. As I contemplated my future, my father, Dr. Burl Pettibon, came to me with an idea he was working on for a decompression system. The system utilizes simultaneous cervical and lumbar traction combined with whole body vibration and an exercise protocol. Although my practice was finished, I was able to temporarily interact with patients in a research capacity. I also had an opportunity to find out if subluxation configurations could not only be corrected but also be maintained without the typical high-velocity, low-amplitude spinal manipulation.In late 2011, we recruited patients who were willing to follow an initial three-month program of three to four sessions per week. Many patients liked the idea of not getting their “backs cracked.” The in-office research program began with:
- Therapeutic Wobble ChairTM warm-up exercises on a Pettibon Vibration Platform for 10 minutes
- 20 to 30 repetitions on a Repetitive Cervical TractionTM unit
- 10-12 minutes on a Cervical and Lumbar Traction Table with vibration
- Wobble chair exercises and tractioning repeated after the traction table
- Pettibon Tendon Ligament Muscle Stimulator (PTLMS) utilized for the first two to four weeks, depending on individual symptomatology and administered after each session
:dropcap_open:Subluxation configurations were greatly reduced, cervical lordosis was highly improved and symptomatic changes were dramatic.:quoteleft_close:
Body weighting was prescribed after the first week with X-ray to determine proper weight and placement. Daily homecare was also prescribed, and patients were sent home with a Portable Wobble chair, Repetitive Cervical Traction unit, cervical and low-back supports for spinal molding along with head and body weighting.
Post X-ray showed amazing results. Subluxation configurations were greatly reduced, cervical lordosis was highly improved and symptomatic changes were dramatic. The following patient cases include brief case histories from participants in this program. We did pre- and post X-rays for each patient. All participants experienced rapid, positive changes in symptomatology and a return to normal daily activity. Keep in mind, none of the patients received manual spinal manipulation; the improvements were solely a result of exercise, traction, traction-table therapy and the use of body weights to engage the body’s proprioception system to correct poor posture.
The Auto Body Mechanic (47-year old male)
Presenting Complaints:- Low-back pain
- Left leg pain, intermittent for 10 years
- Has current low-back and left leg pain with numbness of lower leg and foot
Treatment:
Therapeutic Wobble Chair warm-up exercises with vibration and cervical traction. Once warmed up, he used a traction table with a combination of lumbar and cervical traction, followed by PTLMS. The patient followed the treatment plan three times per week for three months with no manual manipulation.
Homecare Treatment:
Wobble Chair exercises, cervical traction, Pettibon head and body weighting, and spinal molding. The patient followed the regimen twice daily during the three-month study and continues to do this to maintain his correction.
Progress:
Patient’s pain was reduced, and he returned to work after the first week of treatment. He was pain free after the second week and relieved of numbness after the third week. His test X-rays show what is possible, with the results of head-weighting at five weeks and at one month followed by pre- and post X-rays taken three months apart.
The Welder/Iron worker (46-year old male)
Presenting Complaints:- Severe low-back pain – VAS 9 (visual analog pain scale)
- Radiating pain in left hip/buttock – VAS 7-9
- Intermittent left leg pain (VAS 5)
- Woke up with pain three days prior
- Taking Flexeril and Vicodin without relief
Treatment:
Therapeutic Wobble Chair warm-up exercises with vibration and cervical traction. Once warmed up, the patient used a traction table with a combination of lumbar and cervical traction, followed by PTLMS. He followed the treatment plan three times per week for three months with no manual manipulation.
Homecare Treatment:
Wobble Chair exercises, cervical traction, Pettibon head and body weighting, and spinal molding. The patient followed this regimen twice daily during the three-month study and continues to do this to maintain his correction.
Progress:
Patient was pain free within three office sessions and returned to work. Above are his pre- and post X-rays, taken three months apart:
The Retail Clerk (51-year old female)Presenting Complaints:
- Neck and upper-back pain with stiffness for many years
- Headaches two to three times per week
- Left hand numbness
Treatment:
Therapeutic Wobble Chair warm-up exercises with vibration and cervical traction. Once warmed up, she used a traction table with a combination of lumbar and cervical traction, followed by PTLMS. The patient followed the treatment plan three times per week for three months with no manual manipulation.
Homecare Treatment:
Wobble Chair exercises, cervical traction, Pettibon head and body weighting, and spinal molding. The patient followed the regimen twice daily during the three-month period and continues to do this to maintain her correction.
Progress:
Left hand numbness was gone after the second session. Neck and upper-back pain and stiffness were greatly improved after four sessions. Headaches were greatly diminished within two weeks. Headaches were gone after five weeks. Above are her pre- and post X-rays taken three months apart:
Jon M Pettibon, DC – graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 1979 and was one of the school’s Instructor of Pettibon Spinal Bio-Mechanics elective courses during 1978-1979. He has practiced a majority of his 34 year career in Tacoma, Washington, with 1 year in Hawaii. For 19 years Dr. Pettibon taught Pettibon Spinal Biomechanics for The Pettibon Institute. He has been involved with numerous research projects and co-authored “Chiropractic Technician Manual”. He also had numerous years as an extension faculty member and lecturer at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Visit: www.PettibonSystem.com