2. The Purpose of Traction
In medical terminology, traction refers to the practice of
exerting a slow, gentle pull on a body part.
The purpose of spinal traction is to pull the vertebrae apart
from each other to relieve pressure.
3. Cervical Traction
Cervical spinal traction is used to relieve pain associated with
neck nerve root compression or neck muscle spasms. The head is
lifted to a 25-30 angle to stretch the muscles and soft tissues
of the neck. This opens up the spaces between the upper vertebrae
which releases tension and pressure on neck structures.
4. When to Use Cervical Traction
Indications for Treatment:
Cervical Spine Instability
Herniated Cervical Intervertebral Disc
Reduced Cervical Curve
Speed healing of injured neck structures
Muscle spasms
Loss of cervical mobility
Contraindications for Treatment:
Acute or unhealed injuries
Osteomyelitis
Severe osteoporosis
Spinal hypermobility
Tumors
Rheumatoid arthritis
5. Different Types of Cervical
Traction
There are many different types of cervical traction devices which can
provide treatment:
Overhead pulley system
o 20lb = 2 ½
gallons
o No more
than 30 min
6. Different Types of Cervical
Traction
Manual Traction
o May be done using
hands or some
type of strap or
towel.
o Therapist must
take care with
force and
positioning.
7. Different Types of Cervical
Traction
Pneumatic Harness System
o Utilizes a hand pump
o Patient-controlled
8. Different Types of Cervical
Traction
Posture Pump
o Utilizes air pump as
well
o Allows patient to lie
supine
o Applies pressure on
dorsal aspect of
cervical spine
9. Different Types of Cervical
Traction
Mechanical Traction
o Must be monitored by therapist
o Can be used with “static” or
“intermittent” setting
10. Lumbar Traction
Lumbar traction uses a designated amount of tension to the lower
spine to reduce the pain associated with muscle spasms and nerve
root impingement in the lumbar area.
11. When to Use Lumbar Traction
Indications for Treatment:
Narrowing of the intervertebral
foramen
Osteophyte encroachment
Disc bulge or herniation
Nerve root impingement
Subacute injury
Paraspinal muscle spasm
Contraindications for Treatment:
In presence of unhealed fractures
Spinal cord compression
Immediately following spinal surgery
Acute injury or inflammation
Hypermobility
Peripheralization of symptoms
Hypertension
12. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Traction Table with Pulley System
o Use half of patient’s body weight for distraction.
o Should be monitored by healthcare professional.
o Can be done continuously or intermittently.
13. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Inversion Table
o Table allows for tilting at desired angles
o Uses patient’s body weight and position for distraction
o Several contraindications for this method
14. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Posture Pump
o Patient-controlled
o Can be used easily at home
o Portable
15. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Manual Lumbar Traction
o Healthcare professional uses own body as weight
o In hook-lying position, patient’s knees are pushed toward their
head as the pelvis is pulled in the opposite direction.
16. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Unilateral Traction
o Some healthcare providers utilize a manual “leg pull” method of
traction.
o The patient must be fitted with a counter-action harness.
o The clinician holds the ankle of the affected extremity and elevates
the hip to 30 flexion, 30 abduction and full ER for focus of hip
joint pain and to 30 flexion and 15 abduction for SI joint pain.
o Straight and steady pull is performed until noticeable distraction is
felt.
17. Different Types of Lumbar Traction
Unilateral Position Traction
o Traction can also be performed using a roll or half-roll of
some type.
o The roll should be placed under the unaffected side of the
body between the rib cage and iliac crest with the patient
in side-lying position across the roll with the upper leg
flexed at the hip and knee until lumbar spine curved.
o If feasible, the patient can perform trunk rotations to
maximally open the foramen.
18. Effectiveness of Cervical/Lumbar
Traction
This is a topic that appears to be greatly debated among
healthcare professionals, medical journalists, and patients alike.
The treatment should be discontinued if not providing benefits to
patient after a few trials.
Overall, this treatment is used when preferred by healthcare
professional or patient. There are many differing opinions as to
its effectiveness. Individual results and patient inclination are
the driving forces of this treatment.
