Overview
Quick Summary
The Lo Bak Trax is a compact, portable, and affordable device that can be used at home or on the go.
It is used in a passive and relaxing position that can help relieve back pain in just a few minutes, but it does require some work with your hands.
On the other hand, you are in full control of the stretch and can listen to your body and use it in an optimal way.
However, some people find it uncomfortable, and it may not work for everyone.
The Lo Bak Trax spinal stretcher promises to relieve your back pain in just minutes a day – simply by pushing your lower body away from your upper body.
Can it really be that simple?
Find out now – in our Lo Bak Trax review.
This powerful stretch is also known as spinal traction, or spinal decompression, and chiropractors use it all the time to naturally treat herniated/bulging discs, pinched nerves, muscle spasms, spinal stenosis, sciatica, and more.
But:
Does the Lo Bak Trax WORK? Can it actually relieve back pain in just a few minutes a day?
You’ll find out – right now.
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Lo Bak Trax Back Stretcher: How Does It Work?
This spinal decompression machine looks like a pair of bicycle handlebars with a deep “V” in the middle.
Underneath each padded grip, there are two curved, padded extensions.
You lie down on your back and pull your feet up towards your body, while your soles stay flat on the floor.
This flattens the curve in your lower back.
Then you put the Lo-Bak Trax between your legs with the pads resting on your upper quad muscle – and gently push.
The result?
This simple exercise decompresses your spine, taking the pressure off your spinal joints, discs, and nerves, and brings immediate and effective relief.
So, why can’t you just push your thighs on your own?
Yes, you can use your hands to do a mild stretch, but you can not get the same amount of force with minimal effort from your hands.
The Lo Bak Trax offers a simple lever that has a mechanical advantage.
You’ll need to push twice as hard with your hands to get the same effect – and they’ll get tired before you get any results.
Lo Bak Trax Pros and Cons
Through personal experience and analyzing hundreds of consumer reports, here’s the full list of the pros and cons of Lo Bak Trax:
Pros
- It uses non-powered orthopedic traction – which means anyone can use it at home safely
- Easy to use – anywhere and anytime – portable and lightweight (only 2 lbs.).
- A simplistic design and highly durable – comes with a lifetime warranty!
- Can save a lot of money on chiropractors and physical therapists
- Can also be used to stretch the hamstrings, piriformis, and hip rotator muscles
- You are in complete control over traction force and direction
- Treatment is short – you’ll only need a few minutes a day.
- It can eliminate the use of muscle relaxers and pain medication.
- It comes with an instructional video.
Cons
- It takes some time and adjusting to learn how hard to press and release, and whether daily treatments are more effective than 3-5 times a week.
Lo Bak Trax Consumer Reviews
Analyzing a few hundred testimonials on Amazon has shown us that most consumers (about 65%) are very satisfied with this device, with some truly shocked by the instant relief of their back pain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, and more.
Others claim that this has done nothing for them, and some say their injury has worsened, but reading through we noticed that they have not watched the instruction DVD and may have not used it correctly.
Some consumers claim that an inversion table has helped them much more.
This is probably true, but we can’t compare inversion therapy decompression with a manual device.
How to Use the Lo-Bak Trax for Back Pain
You can always do the best spine decompression exercises at home – without any special device.
However, this device allows for a more powerful stretch than most people can do on their own.
It may take some time to find out your ideal traction force – you’ll have to practice a bit in the beginning and try different positioning to find out what’s best for you.
It’s best to use it daily for a few minutes, to enjoy long-term relief and speedier healing from any back injury or chronic condition.
You can see a Lo Bak Trax demonstration at 0:45 in the video below:
You can download the full Lo Bak Trax instruction manual HERE.
Is the Lo Bak Trax Stretch Powerful Enough?
When you try to apply traction to your back with your hands, you may not be aware of your anatomy and have difficulty knowing exactly where to place your hands to get the best traction force.
You may also not have the upper body strength needed to push hard enough to feel the traction in your spine.
With this device, you get much more leverage to perform traction to your spine.
You can also choose where to place this back stretcher to treat different areas in your back.
How Often Should You Use the Lo Bak Trax?
Frequency should be determined based on your specific needs and how well this device works for you. Maximum use is every day – and some people use it 2-3 times a day, but not everyone.
After a few weeks of use, you should develop a good idea of how often the unit should be used.
We think that’s a small price to “pay” for effective back pain relief and increased mobility.
Can You Use the Lo Bak Trax to Stretch Your Hamstrings?
The Lo Bak Trax solid metal construction and V shape make stretching the Hamstring Muscles easier than most other methods.
It also allows you to target the exact area of the Hamstring muscles you want to stretch simply by changing the positioning of your leg.
Here’s how to stretch your hamstrings:
You can also use it to give a targeted stretch to the Piriformis and hip rotator muscles – with little effort.
Lo Bak Trax Side Effects
The Lo Bak Trax is an FDA-cleared type I medical device for treating pain caused by herniated discs, back muscle spasms, spinal stenosis, lower back pain, spinal degenerative joint disease, and sciatica.
However:
Like other treatments, spinal traction doesn’t work for everyone, and for some people, it can cause worsening pain.
You may also get temporary muscle spasms in the first days of your back traction treatment.
It should not be used in the following situations:
- Recent spinal surgery
- Weakness or loss of strength in the arms or legs
- Ligamentous instability
- Unhealed spinal fracture
- Spinal fusion
- A primary or metastatic tumor(s)
- Pregnancy
- Osteoporosis
- Bowel or bladder difficulties
- Severe pain with coughing or sneezing
- Unhealed spinal fracture
- Any condition where resistance exercise is contraindicated
- Inflammatory conditions of the spine
- Spinal cord tumor(s)
Where to Buy Lo Bak TRAX
You can find the original Lo Bak Trax on Amazon ($49). Other than the official site, which offers it for the same price, it is not available at other online stores at the moment.
Conclusion
We find the Lo BakTrax a cost-effective and high-quality spine stretching device – we recommend anyone with back issues – give it a try.
Remember:
It may take some time to find the right direction and force for your needs, and you may experience a bit of soreness in the first 3 weeks of using this low-back stretching device.
Start slow and easy.
But, don’t let a bit of soreness stop you, give this simple back adjuster a try – the results may surprise you.
Lo Bak Trax Alternatives
We recommend that you check out the best inversion tables for back pain, the top orthopedic back stretchers, and the popular back wheel!
These are all back traction devices, that deliver a strong stretch to the spine and back muscles, at different levels of strength and ease of use.
To your health and happiness,
The Back Pain Relief Products Team