Bottom Line:

At a glance, spinal traction may look like a form of medieval torture. And while at first it may seem strange, the relief it can provide is remarkable. Spinal traction offers relief from neck and back pain by reducing the pressure on spinal discs and nerves. Many people use spinal traction as a way to enhance the results they receive with their care in our practice.

Why it Matters:

Spinal traction is a form of decompression that is used to treat conditions such as herniated discs, sciatica, pinched nerves, and degenerative disc disease. Traction devices typically use a small force (manual or mechanical) to draw two spinal bones, or vertebrae, away from each other. The increased space between the bones can reduce the pressure in the disc and on the spinal nerves. Traction usually takes less than 30 minutes and is an excellent way to provide relief from pinched nerves and many types of disc herniations.

• Spinal traction has been shown to be effective at reducing the pain associated with pinched nerves and herniated discs.
• Traction can help promote the movement of water, oxygen, and nutrients into the discs to assist with healing.
• New studies have shown improvements in range of motion, decreases in pain, and reductions in the size of disc herniations after traction.

Next Steps:

Not everyone is a good candidate for spinal traction. If you have osteoporosis or are pregnant, traction may not be the right choice for you. Call us today to learn more and discover if traction may benefit you on your road to relief.

Science Source:

Effects of segmental traction therapy on lumbar disc herniation in patients with acute low back pain measured by magnetic resonance imaging: A single arm clinical trial. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation 2017