is the basic method used in our centre for remedying different spinal illnesses. Before explaining the essence of the therapy it is necessary to say a few words about the causes of spinal diseases. When human beings began to walk on two legs instead of all fours they doomed themselves to spinal pains in adulthood.
 
   The weight of one's own body, untrained muscles and extreme loads - these are the three main causes of the development of diseases of the spine. The spine does not consist of only one bone: it is a complicated system comprising separate vertebrae and, situated between them, elastic discs. A disc is a protein ring within which is a jelly-like elastic substance - a nucleus containing glucosaminglicans that are capable of absorbing and expelling water, depending on external influences.
 
   In a healthy condition the vertebrae remain at some distance from each other. That is why they have the necessary flexibility and are well supplied with nourishing substances and liquid. What happens with age? The muscles weaken, the body weight increases with years, pulling you down, and the vertebrae begin little by little to come closer to each other. Their movements become limited, nerve ends become trapped (resulting in sharp pain), and nourishment of the discs reduces. The elastic gelatin-like nucleus of the disc begins to dry, becomes flatter and loses its moisturizing quality. The spine loses liquid and nourishment. When this situation is allowed to deteriorate further, the vertebrae come very close to each other, and as a result the disc capsule (the fibrous ring of the disc) tears leading to intervertebral hernia and permanent pain. Anobody experiencing pain instinctively begins to protect the painful place and limits his movements.
 
   In the case of the spine, bone and cartilage tissues begin to grow, resulting in the compression of several vertebrae into "a single bone" and complete loss of movement. If it is necessary periodically to lift heavy objects or to carry bags in one hand, the spine is not only compressed further but also bends to one side.
 
   It is possible to avoid all these problems. If you are young, take care of your spine earlier. Study how to lift heavy things correctly, without injuring your spine; try to strengthen your back muscles (for instance, by swimming); and do some simple exercises from gymnastic Nishi specially designed to stretch your spine.
 
   If problems already exist, there are many ways of solving them - from manual correction to surgical intervention. We prefer autogravitational therapy. By this method, permitting stretching of the spine, the vertebral column returns from "years-long compression" to its natural condition. The advantage of stretching as a remedial method is obvious because it removes the main cause of illness, Contrary to other methods of stretching (in principle on can hang head downwards on parallel bars), the autogravitational trainer "Gravitrin" does not traumatize. You lie on the Gravitrin bed adjusted according to your height and rest quietly on it for half an hour. As you can see from the illustration, the bed consists of smooth ribs which reproduce the correct form of the spine. The ribs are mobile, and when a person lies upon them they move from each other towards the head and the feet. Through skin and muscles this stretching force transfers to the spine which in turn stretches. This pulling force does not cause discomfort - you practically don't feel it - but your height increases. Nearly 10% of your body weight goes into the stretching moment. Such a force does not cause trauma, yet is effective. During half an hour's procedure a normally healthy person increases his height by something like one centimeter. In the case of severe scoliosis this stretching can reach even four centimeters.
 
   In addition to stretching, Gravitrin gives an opportunity for deep but gentle massage. The bed's surface is provided with vibratory elements. The vibratory waves produced by these elements, together with the heating, allow the muscles to relax to the fullest extent and warm them. All this makes possible more effective stretching and prepares the muscles for gentle manual correction.
 
   The advantages of autogravitational therapy as a method of stretching are at first sight not very obvious. Why not simply hang head downwards from a horizontal bar? First of all, only very healthy people can so stretch themselves. If one has blood pressure problems or suspects that one has osteoporosis such exercises are forbidden. Besides, stretching like this will not be even for all parts of the spine. There are other ways of stretching the spine, but they are reminiscent of the Procrustean bed with a system of loops, claws, etc. These methods involve, one way or another, additional force - and where there is force it is always difficult to calculate its strength, and trauma can result.
 
   Gravitrin has existed for more than 20 years. It was invented by V.S.Kostanbaev. Initially it was tried out by the bravest people - test pilots - in a hospital for pilots and cosmonauts. In their profession they have to endure the greatest pressures on their spine. It was sensational when, following severe trauma after being catapulted in their ejector seat from doomed planes, test pilots made a complete physical recovery (as in the case of Hero of the Russian Federation A.Kvochur).
 
   Gravitrin has successfully passed many clinical tests in medical centers of the Academy of Science and Ministry of Defense. The equipment is protected by five patents for invention and has already gained many awards at various specialized exhibitions. Now there exists a version of the bed for self-treatment at home. Meanwhile the serious scientific work of increasing the effectiveness of the Gravitrin continues.
 
   The simplicity of the proposed method of stretching, its great efficacy and safety, make it possible to talk about the guaranteed effect of stretching the spine after half an hour's procedure. However, it must be pointed out that it is not enough only to stretch the spine and return it to the correct physiological position. No less important is consolidation of the effect of stretching. The day after the first stretching procedure your height will return to its pre-treatment measurement. This is not astonishing. In order to retain the effect of stretching it is necessary to consolidate the muscles in the new correct position. To achieve this, our centre has developed a whole complex of procedures following the stretching of the spinal column: different types of massage, miostimulation (muscle stimulation), work-outs with a gymnastic instructor, etc. This complex of procedures has been developed over the years to reach maximum effectiveness safely and calmly and, without trauma and unpleasant after-effects, to return your spine to a healthy condition.