How do you use lumbar traction?

Asked by: Josh Issa

The typical protocol for traction is use of a force equal to 50% of the patient’s body weight and use of an intermittent force pattern of 20 to 30 seconds on and 10 to 15 seconds off, for a total duration of 15 minutes.

How often should you do lumbar traction?

For conditions requiring separation of the intervertebral spaces for a therapeutic effect, a relatively high force (40-50% of the body weight) and low treatment times (8-12 minutes) are recommended. The general rule is: The higher the force, the lower the treatment time. We rarely use traction for more than 20 minutes.

How long does it take for lumbar traction to work?

Cohort studies suggest that the condition of many patients with a herniated lumbar disk improves in 6 weeks. In other words a conservative therapy is generally recommended for 6 weeks in the absence of a major neurologic deficit.

What is the purpose of lumbar traction?

What Is Lumbar Traction? Lumbar (low back) traction helps to separate the spaces between your vertebrae, the bones that make up your spine. In theory, slightly separating these bones can help take the pressure off pinched nerves (such as the sciatic nerve) to decrease your pain and improve your mobility.

How do you apply manual lumbar traction?

Manual traction is usually applied for a few seconds duration or can be applied as a sudden, quick thrust. This form of traction is applied by placing the patient in various positions using pillows, blocks, or sandbags to effect a longitudinal pull on the spinal structures.

Can traction make back pain worse?

Spinal traction can sometimes cause pain that is worse than the original condition. Those with osteoporosis and certain types of cancer should not use traction therapy. Spinal traction is known to cause muscle spasms.

Can traction fix a bulging disc?

Any back pain or neck pain caused in whole or in part by a damaged disc may be helped by spinal Decompression Traction Therapy. These conditions include herniated, protruding or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica or radiculopathy (pinched nerves).

Is traction good for lower back pain?

In brief. Based on current evidence, traction as a single treatment is not effective for patients with low-back pain, with or without sciatica.

How do you use traction?

To use an air neck traction device, place it around your neck and adjust the straps as necessary. Then, pump it up and wear it for about 20–30 minutes. Do this a few times throughout the day. You can wear the device while doing activities where you tend to slouch.

How is traction done?

In the medical field, traction refers to the practice of slowly and gently pulling on a fractured or dislocated body part. It’s often done using ropes, pulleys, and weights. These tools help apply force to the tissues surrounding the damaged area.