What are the effects of spinal traction?
- Soft tissue stretch
- Muscle relaxation
- Reduction of a disc protrusion
- Joint distraction to aid with nerve root impingement
- Joint mobilization
What is the muscle relaxation effect of traction?
- Has an effect on A-beta input
- GTOs
- Decreased stretch reflex when done statically
What does low-level traction provide when used early (subacute) in the healing process?
Provides reduced pressure on painful structures.
What are some causes of nerve root compression?
- Disc herniation
- Osteophyte encroachment and disc degeneration)
- Spondylolisthesis
What is the minimum effective force (lbs) for lumbar traction?
60lbs
What is the minimum effective force (lbs) for cervical traction?
15-30lbs
What are the contraindications for traction?
- Where motion is contraindicated
- Acute injury/inflammation
- Joint Hypermobility or instability
- Peripheralization of symptoms with traction (pain moves laterally away from the center of the spine and/or down the extremity)
- Uncontrolled hypertension
What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs a disc or soft tissue stretch?
60 seconds on 20 seconds off
What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs traction to a joint?
15 seconds on 15 second off
What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs to reduce muscle spasms?
5 seconds on 5 seconds off
When initially utilizing tension modalities on a new patient what duration consideration would you have?
Make it shorter initially in order to determine tolerance.
