Lumbar traction is a therapeutic modality used by some physical therapists to treat back pain or sciatica. Lumbar, or low back, traction helps to separate the spaces between your vertebrae, the bones that make up your spine. In theory, separating these bones slightly can help take pressure off pinched nerves...
What does a Lumbar traction table do?
You can use these tables to relieve:
- Back pain
- Muscle spasms or tense muscles
- Compressed spinal disks
- Sciatica pain
- Kidney stones
What causes pain in the lumbar region?
Lower right back pain causes
- Unexplained acute low back pain. ...
- Herniated (slipped) disk in the lower back. ...
- Iliolumbar syndrome. ...
- Chronic low back pain of no specific origin. ...
- Lower back arthritis. ...
- Lower back (sacral vertebral) fracture. ...
- Spinal stenosis. ...
- Pelvic inflammatory disease. ...
- Kidney stone. ...
What is a mild dextrocurvature in the lumbar spine?
This form of dextroscoliosis refers to the spine curving at only 10 degrees to the right. The angle may be small in relation to others, but a mild curvature should still be taken seriously. What Are the Symptoms of Dextroscoliosis?
What do the lumbar nerves control?
Your lumbar spine has several functions, including:
- Supports your upper body, distributes body weight. Your lumbar spine supports the upper two sections of your spine — the seven vertebrae in your neck (cervical spine) and 12 vertebrae ...
- Moves your body. ...
- Protects your spinal cord and cauda equina. ...
- Controls leg movement. ...
What is lumbar traction good for?
It relieves pressure on the spine and alleviates pain from joints, sprains, and spasms. It can also treat herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and many other back conditions. Lumbar traction is performed by our skilled physical therapists.
How long does it take for lumbar traction to work?
About 20% of patients will start seeing relief of pain within the first week. Around 40% of patients will have significant relief within 2–3 weeks. The remaining 20% will get significant relief between 4–6 weeks. Less than 20% will experience no relief or minimal relief.
What does traction do to your back?
Traction is a therapeutic method to relieve pain by stretching and realigning the spine. Placing a stretch on the spine separates the vertebrae and helps to relieve direct nerve pressure and stress on the vertebral discs.
How often should lumbar traction be done?
Most patients require 12-24 sessions, about 2-3 times a week, for spinal traction to reduce back pain. Vibration and heat can also be used at the same as Back on Trac to help relax the back muscles for easier stretching and better results.
Is lumbar traction painful?
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. Most doctors are prepared for this to happen during or after therapy.
What are the side effects of traction?
Experts think that traction expands the space between the vertebrae, increases the movement of the joints and stretches the muscles and ligaments around the vertebrae. Side effects are generally few, but can include headache, nausea, fainting and injury to tissue.
Can traction fix a bulging disc?
In conclusion, lumbar traction is both effective in improving symptoms and clinical findings in patients with lumbar disc herniation and also in decreasing the size of the herniated disc material as measured by CT.
Does traction really work?
A total of 24 trials involving 2,177 patients were included. Five trials were considered high quality. The researchers found that for a mixed group of patients with/without sciatica there was: strong evidence that there was no difference in short- or long-term outcomes from traction and placebo, sham or no treatment.
Which position is best for lumbar traction?
Lumbar traction in prone lying position is more effective than lumbar traction in supine lying position for the treatment of chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy.
How do you prepare for lumbar spine traction?
3:257:45How to prepare for Lumbar Spine Traction? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe'll have the patients set up in a 9090 position a position of comfort the traction belt is nowMoreWe'll have the patients set up in a 9090 position a position of comfort the traction belt is now secured. And free to move and we are going to now connect the traction belt to the traction unit.
How can I traction my back at home?
7:3010:44How to Decompress Your Lower Back in 30 SECONDS - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDuring this exercise. The movement from here is very simple let's tuck the chin towards the chest.MoreDuring this exercise. The movement from here is very simple let's tuck the chin towards the chest. And i'm going to then start to buckle at the knees kind of bend the knees. And then lower my butt.
Do chiropractors do lumbar traction?
Chiropractors may use lumbar traction to treat a range of back pain symptoms and causes; including sciatica, bulging discs, diseased spinal nerve joints, and more.
Is traction good for lumbar disc bulge?
In conclusion, lumbar traction is both effective in improving symptoms and clinical findings in patients with lumbar disc herniation and also in decreasing the size of the herniated disc material as measured by CT.
Will traction help pinched nerve in lower back?
Lumbar traction is commonly used to relieve lower back pain and improve range of motion. The technique stretches the lower back to increase space between vertebrae, helping to alleviate pinched nerves and problems associated with disc disorders.
Can traction make back pain worse?
Traction was also found to be associated with some adverse effects in some cases. Seven of the studies reported adverse effects including exacerbation of pain, nerve irritation, and subsequent surgery, while four of the studies reported that there were no adverse side effects.
How often should you do traction?
Cervical traction is typically performed with physical therapy sessions. This could be anywhere from 1 to 3 times per week. Traction treatments typically last 10 to 20 minutes. If a home cervical traction unit is prescribed, It can be used daily for most people.
What is 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.
When was lumbar traction popularized?
James Cyriax popularised 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.
How does traction therapy affect the spine?
Several theories have been proposed to explain the possible clinical benefit of traction therapy. Distracting the motion segment is thought to change the position of the nucleus pulposus relative to the posterior annulus fibrosus or change the disc-nerve interface. These effects are plausible based on studies examining the kinematics of the lumbar spine during traction therapies. In addition to separating the vertebrae, traction has been shown to reduce nucleus pulposus pressure and increase foraminal area. However, it is unlikely that mechanical changes observed in a prone position will be sustained after a patient resumes an upright, weight bearing posture. Any lasting clinical response to traction therapy would more likely be because of the effect of traction on the mechanobiology of the motion segment or neural tissues. Complicating the issue further is that not all traction therapies exert the same force on the spine and animal studies have found the mechanobiology of the disc to be sensitive to the amount, frequency, and duration of loading.
How long does sciatica last?
Herniated lumbar discs are the central cause of sciatica. 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. There is no proof that conservative treatments change the natural history but some offer slight relief of symptoms. A meta-analysis of 32 randomised trials showed no significant benefit of lumbar traction. Several studies have investigated the effect of lumbar traction on lumbar disc herniation. Autotraction does not change the location and size of an herniation but there is a marked clinical improvement in the patients.
What are the lumbar vertebrae?
Found along the body’s midline in the lumbar (lower back) region, the lumbar vertebrae make up the region of the spine inferior to the thoracic vertebrae in the thorax and superior to the sacrum and coccyx in the pelvis.These vertebrae carry all of the upper body’s weight while providing flexibility and movement to the trunk region. They also protect the delicate spinal cord and nerves within their vertebral canal.
How long does continuous traction last?
Continuous Traction - Continuous or bed traction uses low weights for extended periods of time (up to several hours at a time). This long duration requires that only small amounts of weight be used. It is generally believed that this type of traction is ineffective in actually separating the spinal structures. In other words, the patient cannot tolerate weights great enough to cause separation of the vertebrae for that length of time.
Does traction reduce foraminal area?
These effects are plausible based on studies examining the kinematics of the lumbar spine during traction therapies. In addition to separating the vertebrae, traction has been shown to reduce nucleus pulposus pressure and increase foraminal area.
What is lumbar traction?
The set up for lumbar traction is similar to cervical traction except that a corset, rather than a head halter, is used. Several types of lumbar traction are described including gravity inversion traction, gravity lumbar reduction and auto-traction.
How long does it take to traction a lumbar area?
The desired number of pounds for the lumbar area is any point between 50 to 150 lb. The desired treatment time is around 20 to 30 minutes. Comply with the instructions and progression provided by physical therapist (see Fig. 47-10).
How much traction is needed to separate vertebrae?
The traction load necessary to produce vertebral separation in the lumbar spine is much greater than that required to produce vertebral separation in the cervical spine. de Seze and Levernieux 167 estimated that a tractive force of 730 pounds was required to obtain a separation of 1.5 mm at the L4–5 vertebral level and that 810 pounds were required to obtain a separation of 2 mm at the L3–4 level. Numerous other studies confirm the need for great force to obtain even a small separation in the lumbar spine. 168,169 Clinically, lumbar traction functions to significantly limit the activity of the patient. It may assist to decrease muscle spasm by forcing rest. There is no evidence that lumbar traction facilitates nuclear migration of the disc.
What is positional distraction?
Positional distraction is an alternative to lumbar traction that can be performed both in the clinic and at the patient’s home. Box 4-13 shows a positional distraction demonstration. Advantages of positional distraction are that it can isolate the spinal level to maximally open the effected neuroforamen, it is inexpensive (a bolster can be made at home by tightly rolling a pillow in a sheet), and it is under the control of the patient. 126 Creighton 127 showed with radiographic evidence that positional distraction that combines isolated lumbar flexion, lateral flexion away from the targeted neuroforamen, and rotation toward the affected side focused to a spinal segment via manual therapy techniques can maximally open a targeted neuroforamen. Once the patient is placed in positional distraction, he or she should be monitored to ensure patient comfort. For the intervention to be effective, the patient should report relief of leg pain shortly after placement in the position. The treatment sessions typically last 10 to 20 minutes, and the patient can perform the procedure at home three to six times per day. Positional distraction allows frequent intermittent unloading of the effected nerve root, which is believed to have positive clinical effects. The patient gradually progresses into an exercise program as the intensity of leg symptoms subsides.
What is lumbar radiculopathy?
Lumbar Radiculopathy That Does Not Centralize (Traction) The clinical decisions of how to manage patients with leg pain that does not centralize with repeated movements and does not fit the hypomobility or instability classifications create a clinical challenge for physical therapists and physicians.
What force is used to treat lumbar radiculopathy?
Force—To effectively treat lumbar radiculopathy, herniated disk, or other conditions requiring a separation of the intervertebral space, the traction force should be great enough to cause movement at the spinal segment. Based on our experience and the evidence available in the literature, we typically use a force of 40% to 50% of the patient's ideal body weight. Often the first treatment is a little less to ensure patient tolerance.
How far over the top of your hips should you put the Saunders lumbar harness?
Lie down on the Saunders Lumbar Traction device so that the lower harness is 1 inch over the top of your hips.
What is lumbar traction?
When the traction is applied over the lumbar area using a traction machine then it is termed as lumbar traction. In common practice, traction is also used for neck pain, knee, low back pain. But it is also used for the leg after the fracture of the leg bone and for hip bone after the fracture of the neck of the femur.
How much weight is needed for lumbar traction?
Thankfully calculating weight is not difficult. There a rule of thumb according to which the weight of pull for lumbar traction would be 1/3rd the weight of the body .
What is traction used for?
In common practice, traction is also used for neck pain, knee, low back pain. But it is also used for the leg after the fracture of the leg bone and for hip bone after the fracture of the neck of the femur. However, here we are only concerned with spinal traction for the lower back, i.e lumbar traction.
What is mechanical traction?
A mechanical traction unit consists of a traction machine with motors fitted on the couch/table that creates a pulling force. One can easily control the pulling force through its control unit.
How has traction evolved?
With time there is a significant improvement in the methods of traction application. Slowly it has evolved towards a more automated and mechanical way, where the force of pull and its duration of application is under control. We can easily change the duration and its force with the press of a button.
Is lumbar traction an integral part of physiotherapy?
It is an integral part of the physiotherapy treatment process. In this post, we will try to understand the basic principle of traction with lumbar traction as an example.
Does lumbar traction help with back pain?
Every one of you must have experienced or if not experienced, must have seen/ heard of people taking lumbar traction for back pain. It relieves your back pain without medication, not only this, but it also cures complicated pain cases such as sciatica, disc hernia preventing the sufferer to go for painful surgery. This is the magic of traction.
What is traction therapy?
Various forms of traction therapy have been used to treat spinal disorders for almost 4000 years . Traction is widely available in the United States and can be applied by chiropractors, physical therapists, or medical physicians trained in the use of specific traction devices for CL BP.
How long does traction therapy last?
Traction can either be intermittent (alternating traction and relaxation with cycles of a few minutes), sustained (maintained for 20 to 60 minutes), or continuous (maintained for hours to days). It can also be described according to the direction of its primary force, whether axial (superoinferior axis of the spine) or distraction (axial force combined with off-axis forces such as flexion or lateral bending). Distraction is further subdivided into distraction manipulation and positional distraction. Various forms of traction therapy have been used to treat spinal disorders for almost 4000 years. Traction is widely available in the United States and can be applied by chiropractors, physical therapists, or medical physicians trained in the use of specific traction devices for CLBP.
Why are RCTs important?
Properly designed RCTs are needed to determine whether there are subgroups of LBP sufferers who benefit from specific traction therapies. Patient variables that might be considered important include age, weight or body mass index, and specific diagnostic category (although controversial). Treatment variables include duration and magnitude of force, direction of off-axis forces, and number of treatments. Additionally, RCTs are needed to specifically evaluate the proprietary forms of traction that are being aggressively marketed to the public. Further studies are needed to conclusively determine whether intermittent traction, positional distraction, or distraction-manipulation is beneficial for CLBP.
What are the contraindications for traction therapy?
Contraindications to traction therapy include spinal malignancy, spinal cord compression, spinal infection (osteomyelitis, discitis), osteoporosis, inflammatory spondyloarthritis, acute fracture, aortic or iliac aneurysm, abdominal hernia, pregnancy, severe hemorrhoids, uncontrolled hypertension, and severe cardiovascular or respiratory disease. Adverse events associated with traction include aggravation of pain, progression of lumbar disc protrusion, shortness of breath, hypertension, increased blood pressure (gravity traction), cauda equina syndrome, and fracture. Traction therapy with forces greater than 50% of body weight could be associated with a potential increase in blood pressure, as well as respiratory constraints, and increased nerve impingement in cases of disc protrusion.
What is traction bronchiolectasis?
Traction bronchiectasis or bronchiolectasis represents bronchial or bronchiolar irregularity and dilation due to adjacent fibrotic and distorted lung parenchyma 11 ( Fig. 5.3 ). The presence of background fibrosis is key in distinguishing traction bronchiectasis from freestanding bronchiectasis. 12 Traction bronchiolectasis can be challenging to distinguish from honeycombing and may have been a source of disagreement regarding the presence or absence of honeycombing in previous studies. 19 Using multiplanar and contiguous images can be helpful in distinguishing between honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis. Traction bronchiectasis has been shown to be reversible in cases of nitrofurantoin-induced lung toxicity. 20 In the setting of UIP, however, reversibility is not noted, and traction bronchiectasis actually has poor prognostic significance.
Why is traction not working?
One reason for the failure of traction is restriction of movement, either at the craniocervical junction or in the lumbar spine. Once this restriction has been released, traction is often well tolerated, provided that it is implemented gently and with technical skill, preferably by hand. View chapter Purchase book.
What are the adverse effects of traction?
Adverse events associated with traction include aggravation of pain, progression of lumbar disc protrusion, shortness of breath, hypertension, increased blood pressure (gravity traction), cauda equina syndrome, and fracture. Traction therapy with forces greater than 50% of body weight could be associated with a potential increase in blood pressure, ...
What is lumbar traction?
Lumbar traction requires a significantly greater force to create a distraction of the vertebral segments than cervical traction. Common traction systems include a thoracic or chest belt with a pelvic belt, inversion, a split traction table, or an auto traction table. Split traction tables have a mobile half and a stationary half. Auto traction tables allow both segments of the table to move and are controlled by the patient. The patient assumes the most pain-free position and performs active traction by pulling on an overhead bar. The patient then uses his or her feet to activate a bar, which alternates compressive and distracting forces.
How does traction help the spine?
Traction pulls the vertebra away from the disc, releasing the pressure on the disc. This assists the soft part of the disc to return within the disc. This decompresses the nerve and reduces pain. This also helps to rehydrate the disc. Traction relieves pressure on the spine and alleviates pain.
What is cervical traction?
Traction is a manual ‘stretching’ of the spine which reduces pressure on the discs and therefore reduces the individual’s pain. Cervical traction is commonly performed using manual, mechanical, or motorized methods (with a head or chin sling) or with the use of a supine posterior distraction unit.
How does spinal traction work?
Then they use manual force on the joints and muscles to widen the spaces between vertebrae.
What is traction in medical terms?
A traction is a treatment option that is based on the application of a longitudinal force to the axis of the spinal column. In other words, parts of the spinal column are pulled in opposite directions to stabilize or change the position of damaged aspects of the spine. The force is usually applied to the skull through a series ...
How is traction applied to the skull?
The force is usually applied to the skull through a series of weights or a fixation device and requires that the patient is either kept in bed or placed in a halo vest. Traction is a manual technique designed to reduce pressure on affected vertebral discs that are causing pain.
Is mechanical traction good for osteoporosis?
These tables can use computer-based systems to apply exact amounts and/or variations of pressure. Mechanical traction is, however, not appropriate for patients with serious bone conditions such as osteoporosis, osteomyelitis and bone cancer, or with heart disease and spinal cord diseases.
What is spinal decompression therapy?
Spinal decompression therapy focuses on stretching the spine. Usually, a traction device is used, but there are other motorized devices. The goal of spinal decompression is to relieve leg and back pain. Most doctors call the procedure 'nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy,' which is different than the surgical spinal decompression.
What is decompression for spinal discs?
Decompression is a non-invasive treatment option for the spine that uses a motorized table and may help relieve pressure or provide negative pressure. It puts space back into the spinal discs and promotes the natural healing process. Once pressure from the area is relieved or decreased, it often returns to the normal position and stops the pain.
What is Surgical Spinal Decompression, and When Is It Needed?
Patients may need surgical spinal decompression or back surgery treatment to provide more pressure relief. Surgical spinal decompression can include different things, such as spinal fusion. Ultimately, health professionals, such as doctors, want to prevent surgery from being necessary, so spinal decompression might be the right choice to start with. Surgery is a serious treatment and may have many risks associated with it, whereas spinal decompression is less invasive.
How to help someone with back pain?
When someone has back pain, they may try any treatment option to help them. Medical doctors often use medications and recommend surgery, but most patients want to find an alternative. Chiropractic treatment is available and works to use non-invasive procedures to reduce back pain and help patients feel better. This gives the spine the time it needs to heal well. Traction is a great way to reduce pressure in the spine, but spinal decompression does the same thing. Sometimes, it's cheaper than traction, and many medical professionals agree that it relieves pressure and promotes better health.
What can pull bulging discs back into the disc?
Spinal decompression can pull the bulging or herniated disc materials back into it.
How to relieve back pain from bulging disc?
If the pressure hasn't gone away with other chiropractic options, it's still possible to use spinal decompression to relieve the pain. Most conditions react well to it, but it can take a few weeks to get any improvement.
How long does spinal decompression take?
However, it's a process. Depending on the area to be treated (spine or neck), it may take up to 30 minutes for a session. Patients are likely to require six to eight sessions before they start to feel less pain.
What is the procedure that removes the vertebrae?
Corpectomy: This procedure involves removing a vertebral body along with disks between the vertebrae.
What type of surgery is needed to stabilize the spine?
In addition, you may need spinal fusion to stabilize your spine. The following are the more common types of back surgery: Diskectomy: In this procedure, a portion of the disk is removed to relieve pressure on nerves.
What is the best treatment for back pain?
Surgical spinal decompression is another option for treating certain types of back pain. But it is usually used as a last resort. If other measures don't work, your doctor may suggest surgical spinal decompression for bulging or ruptured disks, bony growths, or other spinal problems.
What is the difference between a laminotomy and a foraminectomy?
Laminotomy or laminectomy: A surgeon removes a small portion of bone -- a section of bony arch or the entire bony arch -- to increase the size of the spinal canal and relieve pressure. Foraminotomy or foraminectomy: A surgeon removes bone and other tissue to expand the openings for nerve roots.
What changes the position of the spine?
That changes the force and position of the spine. This change takes pressure off the spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated disks may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine.
What are the treatments for a swollen thigh?
Before or after therapy, you may have other types of treatment, such as: Electrical stimulation (electric current that causes certain muscles to contract) Ultrasound (the use of sound waves to generate heat and promote healing) Heat or cold therapy.
Is spinal decompression effective?
Doctors have used nonsurgical spinal decompression in an attempt to treat: Back or neck pain or sciatica, which is pain, weakness, or tingling that extends down the leg. More research is needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of nonsurgical spinal decompression. To know how effective it really is, researchers need to compare spinal ...
