Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for therapeutically treating an injured spine by lifting and rotating the pelvic area to straighten the lumbar spine and by applying a force to the spine to separate vertebral bodies and to stretch the connective tissue along the spinal cord by relative movement of the body of the patient with reference to a fixed point.

Abstract: A method and device are shown in which alternate amounts of tractive force are applied to portions of the spine at an angle to the axis of elongation of the spine. In particular, for treatment of the lumbar spine, the patient is placed on his back with his upper legs extending substantially vertically and his lower legs extending horizontally. A restraining harness is then placed about the patient's pelvic area and a lifting force is applied upwardly and forwardly in the direction of the patient's head and alternates between greater and lesser amounts of force, thereby providing a variable pelvic tilt to induce healing of the discs.

Abstract: This is an orthopedic lumbar traction brace which is specifically designed to be attached to the lower rib cage of a patient in a manner to comfortably and safely support the patient at the desired hanging angle to provide gravity traction on the lumbar vertebra of the back, as when used in a gravity lumbar reduction system as described in the co-pending application of Charles V. Burton, M.D.