Cervical/ Lumbar Traction
Traction therapy is a non-invasive rehabilitation option for persistent neck and lower back pain and stiffness. This therapy can reduce spinal compression and alleviate pain by applying external force to relax tight muscles, tendons or ligaments and gently separate joints. It helps prevent muscle atrophy, control spasms, relieve pain, correct deformities and stabilize the limbs.
There are two main types of traction therapy.
Cervical Traction
Cervical traction is used to treat neck pain by gently stretching the head to create space between the cervical vertebrae. This reduces pressure from intervertebral discs, bone spurs, or inflamed tissues on nerve roots, relaxes muscles, and increases joint mobility.
Cervical traction can ease various types of neck and back pain while addressing nerve and muscle issues around the spine. It is effective for managing both short-term and chronic conditions, such as:
- Nerve root disorder or compression
- Neck sprains
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc diseases, such as herniated discs
- Cervical degeneration
- Scoliosis
However, cervical traction is not suitable for everyone. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning treatment.
Lumbar Traction
Lumbar traction focuses on stretching the lower back muscles, widening the intervertebral spaces, reducing lumbar lordosis, and decreasing joint compression. There are several types, including sustained, continuous, and intermittent traction.
Lumbar traction can help alleviate or treat the following conditions:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc diseases
- Foraminal stenosis
- Sciatica
- Restricted joint mobility
- Joint adhesions
- Muscle spasms
- Radiating pain
There are contraindications for Lumbar traction. It is not suitable for everyone. Consult a physical therapist or physician before beginning treatment to determine the best plan.
As a conservative treatment, traction therapy is suitable for most patients with neck or back pain. With various forms available - sustained, continuous, or intermittent - traction can be tailored to meet individual clinical needs.
Studies on lumbar traction have shown that it can retract herniated discs and create more space between vertebrae, as confirmed by X-rays, CT scans, and imaging techniques. Research also suggests that lumbar traction effectively alleviates symptoms of lower back pain and sciatica. Similarly, cervical traction has been found to temporarily relieve symptoms, particularly radiating pain caused by nerve root compression.