traction

1. z
CERVICAL & LUMBAR
TRACTION
Aditya Johan .R, M.Fis

2. z
PURPOSE
 The word traction is a derivative of the Latin word "tractico",
which means "a process of drawing or pulling
 In medical terminology, traction refers to the practice of exerting
a slow, gentle pull on a body part.
 The purpose of spinal traction is to pull the vertebrae apart from
each other to relieve pressure.

3. z How Much Force Should Be
Used For Cervical Traction?
 That 25-40 lbs of force for the mid and lower cervical spine is
often clinically effective in conditions where a separation of the
intervertebral space is desirable.
 Examples of these conditions include radiculopathy caused by
herniated cervical disc, interforaminal nerve root encroachment,
degenerative disc or joint disease or facet joint impingement
 In other conditions where the muscles are primarily affected,
less force may be effective.
 Examples include suboccipital or upper trapezius muscle
tension or shortening

4. z
 Encroachment refers to the process by
which spinal spaces, such as the
foramina or the spinal canal, become
occupied by a piece of tissue that does
not belong there
 Whether a bone spur, a thickened
ligament, migrated disc material or even
a synovial cyst, takes over some part or
all of the space, it moves in on the
nerves that are located there
 Nerve root encroachment, specifically,
affects the area in the foramina

5. z
 Nerve root encroachment is often caused by degenerative
changes in the structures of the spine, including the disc, the
facet joints and other areas
 Degenerative changes are usually associated with central canal
stenosis, which is spinal stenosis that affects the spinal canal. It
is also associated with neuroforaminal stenosis, the type of
spinal stenosis that affects the intervertebral foramina

6. z
How much is too much?
 The Saunders Traction device does not allow traction forces of
over 50 lbs
 successfully used up to 50 lbs without any adverse results when
working up to this level gradually, and no adverse results with
high force cervical traction have been reported in the literature.
 feedback confirms that 25-40 lbs is typically an adequate and
effective force
 Colachis & Strohm demonstrated that a traction force of 30 lbs
produces separation of the cervical spine, and that 50 lbs of
force produces more separation than 30 lbs

7. z
CERVICAL TRACTION

8. z
LUMBAR TRACTION
 Lumbar traction is the process of applying a stretching force to
the lumbar vertebrae through body weight, weights, and/or
pulleys to distract individual joints of the lumbar spine
 James Cyriax popularized lumbar traction during the 1950s and
1960s as a treatment for disc protrusions, and until today, it is
still a common modality for treating patients with back pain and
leg pain

9. z
 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 higher the force, the lower the treatment time
 In most cases, the static mode of traction is preferred, especially
when treating herniated disc or irritable conditions
 Sometimes, an intermittent method is preferred for patient
comfort. In such cases, we recommend at least a 60 second
hold period (e.g., 60 second hold, 10 second rest)

10. z
LUMBAR TRACTION

11. z
SEKIAN