Valuable Application of Spondylo-therapy
A The technical method of applying spondylotherapy is by means of special applicators or electricity. The applicatoi-s consist of a rubber hammer and a rubber plate. The latter is placed over the spot to be treated in order to protect the tissue, and the hammer is then used to beat upon it, thus applying “concussion.” Concussion can also be applied by beating on the finger with the closed fist, but it is rather hard on the finger. If it is desired to inhibit rather than to stimulate a part, pressure is applied with the thumbs on each side of the indicated spinous process. The “violet-ray” high-frequency current can be used in place of the concussion. In this case the double spinal vacuum electrode is used, at half an inch from the skin. Half-minute applications are alternated with half-minute rests for ten or fifteen minutes.
The fingers, or the rubber hammer, are more generally used than electricity. Concussion is employed to elicit reflexes, while pressure is used to relax and relieve pain. In addition to the thumbs, pres¬sure may be applied with the balls or the flexed knuckles of the first two fingers. The method that seems to produce the best results is the one to be used. Pressure is continued until pain is relieved. This form of pressure and the concussion of the seventh cervical vertebra are about the only parts of spondylo¬therapy suitable for home treatment.