WHAT IS SPINAL TRACTION?
Spinal traction, also known as spinal decompression therapy, is a non-surgical treatment that
aims to alleviate back and neck pain by gently stretching the spine. This technique
changes the force and position of the spinal structures, reducing pressure on the spinal
discs—the gel-like cushions between the vertebrae. By creating negative pressure
within these discs, spinal traction can help retract bulging or herniated discs,
alleviating pressure on surrounding nerves and promoting healing by enhancing the
flow of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids to the affected areas.
HOW IS IT CARRIED OUT?
Spinal traction can be delivered through various methods, with motorised traction
being the most common. For lumbar traction, patients are fitted with a harness around the pelvis and trunk while lying face up on a therapy bed (see above). For cervical traction, a harness is placed under the chin and around the back of the neck, with the patient seated. Each session typically lasts between 15 to 20 minutes.
During the treatment, the gentle stretching of the spine is designed to:
● Relieve pressure from bulging or herniated discs.
● Decrease nerve root compression by enlarging the intervertebral foramen.
● Facilitate the movement of healing fluids into the discs.
In addition to spinal traction, physiotherapists may incorporate other treatments such
as electrical stimulation, heat or cold therapy, and hands-on mobilisation techniques
to enhance the healing process.
HISTORY OF SPINAL TRACTION
Spinal traction has evolved as a treatment modality over the years, gaining
recognition for its non-invasive approach to managing conditions related to the spine.
Though its use is well-established, ongoing research continues to explore its efficacy,
especially in comparison to other conservative treatments for back pain.
WHICH CONDITIONS RESPOND WELL TO SPINAL TRACTION?
Spinal traction can be beneficial for various conditions, including:
● Back or neck pain: Helps relieve discomfort and improve mobility.
● Sciatica: Aids in alleviating pain, weakness, or tingling that radiates down the
leg.
● Bulging or herniated discs: Assists in retracting discs and relieving nerve
pressure.
● Degenerative disc disease: Promotes healing in worn spinal joints.
● Injured or diseased spinal nerve roots: Supports recovery by reducing
strain on nerve tissues.
While spinal traction shows promise, more research is needed to fully establish its
effectiveness compared to other treatment options, such as physical therapy,
medications, and exercise.
At Bradley Physio, our skilled physiotherapists utilise spinal traction as part of a
comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. This is just one of the many
tools we have to help you on your path to recovery.
If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic to
book an appointment!
REFERENCES
Cheng, Y.-H. et al. (2019) The effect of mechanical traction on low back pain in
patients with herniated intervertebral disks: a systemic review and meta-analysis.
Clinical Rehabilitation 34(1), pp. 13–22. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215519872528
Fritz, J.M. et al. (2014) ‘Exercise only, exercise with mechanical traction, or exercise
with Over-Door traction For patients with cervical radiculopathy, with or without
consideration of status on a previously described subgrouping rule: a randomized
clinical trial. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 44(2), pp. 45–57.
https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.5065
Gay, R. (2013) All about spinal decompression therapy. Spine Health.
https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/all-about-spinal-decompression-
therapy
Romeo, A.. et al (2018) Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to
Physical Therapy—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized
Controlled Trials. Physical Therapy 98(4), pp. 231–242.
https://doi-org.csplis.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/physth/pzy001
Tanabe, H. et al. (2021) Immediate effect of mechanical lumbar traction in patients
with chronic low back pain: A crossover, repeated measures, randomized controlled
trial. Journal of Orthopaedic Science 26(6), pp. 953–961.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jos.2020.09.018.