Traction
What is traction?
Traction is a specific manual technique designed to reduce pressure on affected vertebral discs that are causing pain.
It basically refers to a mechanical or manual ‘stretching out’ of the spine which reduces pressure on the discs and therefore reduces the individual’s pain, which can be done either with
- hands-on manual therapy approach or
- mechanical or machine approach
How does traction help?
A disc is a circular structure that sits between each vertebra in the spine.
It has a tough outer layer surrounding soft inner tissue. When a disc is under pressure and damaged, the tough outer layer is damaged and the soft inside protrudes through the gap.
It is this protrusion that compresses nearby nerves and nerve roots causing nerve issues such as nerve-related
- pain
- sensory issues such as numbness, decreased sensitivity, tingling etc
What traction does is that back and/or neck traction pulls the vertebra away from the disc, releasing the pressure on the disc which:
- assists the soft part of the disc to return within the disc
- decompresses the nerve and reduces pain
- helps to rehydrate the disc
Who benefits from traction?
Traction can be beneficial for problems such as:
- Herniated or prolapsed disc
- Sciatica
- Neck pain
- Spondylitis
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
Where To Next?
- Go to Home / Start
- Learn and find out more about your pains (bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves etc) at Pain Conditions & Injuries
- Visit our shop to see products we recommend for pain relief, heating, treatments and more
- Contact us
