Traction

In our clinic(s) all our rooms are equipped with specialized tables that allow us to treat our patients with lumbar (lower back) traction. Most of our patients find they really like this as part of their treatment protocol, even if they don’t have lower back pain, it just “feels good”.

Therapeutic spinal traction uses manually or mechanically created forces to stretch and mobilize the spine. Traction may alleviate back pain by stretching tight spinal muscles that result from spasm and widen space where the nerve exits to relieve nerve root impingement.

There are different kinds of traction devices. Techniques applied in spinal traction are dependent in part on the patient’s physical condition, disorder, individual tolerance, and the spinal region to be treated. Traction may be applied as a continuous force or intermittently.

In our clinic cervical (neck) traction is a manual hands’ on approach. The patient lies in a relaxed and comfortable position on the table face up. The therapist or doctor carefully positions their hands in such a way to support the patient’s head during distraction. The force is gentle, stable, and controlled.

Mechanical traction may incorporate the use of a split-traction table. In our clinic, the patient is placed on the table face down. The doctor will then move the table and create the patient’s session of therapeutic traction.

When the structural integrity of the spine is compromised, such as in osteoporosis, infection, tumor, or cervical rheumatoid arthritis, traction should be done precautionary and only under the doctors direct consideration and direction.