Research Article Summary - Lumbar Flexion/Distraction

Publication: American Institute of Aeronautics

Title: Effects of Altered Gravity on Spinal cord Excitability

Authors: Watt, Douglas; Lefebvre, Luc; McGill University

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Effects of Altered Gravity on Spinal Cord Excitability

This study was carried out at the NASA Space Station, in a weightless environment. The study demonstrated that when gravity was removed, the lumbar spinal cord excitability decreased. This decreased excitability resulted in diminished lumbar and peripheral nerve activity and response to stimulation.

Abstract Summary: Researches observed that spinal cord excitability decreases rapidly upon entering weightlessness, may recover somewhat over a period of months and is still abnormal 5 days after returning to the ground. 

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CLINICAL TAKEAWAY: DR. MORGAN LOOKS TO CREATE THIS SAME 'WEIGHTLESS' ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE USE OF LUMBAR FLEXION/DISTRACTION THERAPY. BY FOCUSEDLY DECOMPRESSING THE LUMBAR SPINE, SIMILAR RESULTS HAVE BEEN MEASURED WITH THE LUMBAR SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM VIA THE H-REFLEX. SPECIFICALLY, DR. MORGAN USES SUCH THERAPY WHEN ADDRESSING CLINICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS: LUMBAR DISC PROTRUSIONS, BULDGES OR HERNIATIONS, DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE, SPONDYLOSIS, CENTRAL STENOSIS, LATERAL RECESS STENOSIS, OSTEOARTHRITIS,  RADICULOPATHY, SCIATIC NEURALGIA, MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME.