SPINAL STRETCH Portable Back Pain Relief
June 21st, 2010 | 
Author: 
- Relieves low back pain
- Easy to use
- Portable & Lightweight
- Use just 15 minutes per day.
- spinal decompression
Product Description
Spinal Stretch is a portable lightweight spinal decompression device that can relieve low back pain using spinal decompression. Weighs just 4 lbs and can be used anywhere–all you need is a door and a floor.
SPINAL STRETCH Portable Back Pain Relief
Posted in back pain exercises | 
Tags: 15 Minutes, Back, Back Pain Relief, low back pain, pain, Portable, Product Description, relief, Spinal, spinal decompression, stretch
In my opinion this contraption just isn’t worth it. First you have to fasten it to a closed door and need enough room to lay on the floor. The floor needs to be carpeted because you need friction to keep you from sliding into the door. Second you have to secure this to your waist and make sure its tight. Third there is a telescoping pole between your legs, yes between your legs and you best be careful, or you’ll give yourself a shot in the you know what!! You crank this thing to tighten and adjust the tension between you and the door essentially pulling the device closer to the door stretching your lower spine. This telescoping pole is plastic and feels like its going to break. It has a release button on the top to shrink it back up to its storage size. While trying to use it I kept pressing the button and it was just silly until I got it right.
Its not very comfortable, its dangerous if you clock yourself in the crotch with that telescoping pole and if you don’t have it secured into a closed door its like a giant rubber band that will snap back at you so be careful. Does it work though?….well ehhh, it sorta does but I think its safer and easier to just go to the chiropractor. I’ve had a back injury since 2001 and have tried anything and everything to help me but this one isn’t something i’ll add to my therapy. Lastly, an inversion table is quite better as its more comfortable and works on your whole spine not just your lower back like this contraption the only drawback is that your reclining and some people get dizzy where this unit you lay down.
I read other reviews of people raving about this and how they are using it multiple times per day. I get better results going to my chiro where I don’t have to do anything for a few days to a week before I need another adjustment. The unit is light and very compact so you could travel with it if needed. The recommended time is 15-20 min, frankly, i’m bored after 5 minutes laying on the floor staring at the door. I’ll give it a little more time and try it some more and if my thoughts change i’ll update this review.
Rating: 2 / 5
This device uses a simple but effective system to gently stretch and decompress your lower back. One end anchors into a door jamb, the other end is anchored around your lower waist. You then use a ratchet system to tighten and pull your lower back towards the door jamb. You don’t actually move, but as you ratchet, it will pull on your lower back and offer gentle downward tension to decompress your lower spine. When I used this, it did work and it was as gentle as I wanted it to be. You are in complete control of how much tension is applied. The reason why I gave it three stars is because it did NOT work well for my boyfriend. He is a big guy at 6′4, 260lbs. The waist strap barely fit around him and for some reason, even though it DID pull on him, he was in pain for several hours afterwards. This device does come with the some warnings and it does list who should not use it, but he was not on the list. He does suffer from occasional lower back pain, but nothing major. I thought this device would help him out the most, but it only made things worse.
So just word of caution – whenever using anything that affects your spine – just be careful and go slow. This device does work as advertised, but does have it’s limitations.
Rating: 3 / 5
This product does give traction. However, I found it too cumbersome to use. I prefer the Posture Pump for traction. It’s easier to use and works very well, and they make one for neck and back. Also, I find the SPINEWORKS, inversion tables and Miracle Balls very helpful as well for back pain. I believe Amazon.com sells all these products.
Rating: 2 / 5
I’ve been suffering from lower back pain on and off for almost 20 years. I’ve tried a lot of solutions from chiropractor, acupuncture, massage and stretching. In combination, many of these have helped but it’s always been an expensive and cumbersome task. Several friends have recommended traction of back pain but I’ve never wanted to get one of those huge inversion devices where you hang upside down. Then I discovered the Spinal Stretch a VERY easy way to get some stretch/traction to the lower back. The set up is very fast and easy and sitting in the traction stretch isn’t painful or difficult. I found positive results using this and enjoyed the fact that I was able to get relief without having to go see a professional to get a treatment.
The Spinal Stretch is well made from solid parts, easy to operate and works well. The instructions are clear and it comes with a companion video which demonstrates how to use the product. Highly Recommended!
Rating: 5 / 5
My husband has been troubled by hip-level back pain for many years. He tried this device out and thought it felt great. However, we still have to try it when he throws his back out, so I cannot yet comment whether it is useful in helping to relieve acute back pain.
Basically you anchor part of it to the hinge-side of a door, and then you put a harness around your hips, and lie down and winch it up so that your hips get pulled down, away from your shoulders toward the door. It is the weight of your chest & shoulders, combined with the friction of the floor (you need a carpet or rough ground) that determines how much traction can be built up, so supposedly it is self-regulating in that way.
This seems better than an inversion table or gravity boots. There is no chance of headache from having the head hanging down, and no chance of sore ankles/feet from being hung by them. On the other hand, the pull may not be as great, though that could be a bug or a feature.
I am wondering how well this device will work during episodes of extreme back pain. One time when my husband’s back was bothering him, he tried hanging off some crutches: the pull of gravity on his body was wonderous relief, but then when he tried to put weight back on his feet in order to walk on, the pain of ceasing to stretch out his back was excruciating. So I am curious what will happen when he tries this device during an acute attack: will it also hurt a lot when the traction is released?
Also, I am not sure that there might not be a simpler (and cheaper) way to get the same effect. Could you lie on the floor and with your elbows cinch your way forward and dragging your hips in order to get the same relieving pull tension? That is something else to try the next time there is a episode of acute back pain.
Over all an interesting product and one we hope to get a lot more use out of.
Rating: 4 / 5