Traction is a manual technique design to reduce pressure onthe affected vertebral disc or peripheral joint.
In manual traction, a sports physiotherapist uses theirhands to put people in a state of traction. Then they use physical force on thejoint and muscle to widen the intervertebral space.
Traction is used for:
Reduction of nerve root impingement.
Prevention of deformity.
Correction of soft tissue contractures and relaxes musclesby stretching soft tissues.
Decreasing pain.
Mobilize joints.
Relief radiculopathy.
Helps to open up joint spaces in the spine to take thepressure off, for example in a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, etc.
Traction can be applied manually by a sports physiotherapistor mechanically by a device or machine.
Traction can be applied to spinal and peripheral joints.
A sports physiotherapist will teach you the technique ofself-traction at home.
But there is some precaution to traction, so you should takeadvice from a sports physiotherapist before doing this.
A physiotherapist does traction technique for followingjoints:
Cervical traction- cervical traction is used to relieve painassociated with neck nerve root compression or neck muscle spasm. The head islifted to a 25-30 degree of angle to stretch the muscles and soft tissues ofthe neck. This opens up the space between the upper vertebrae which releasestension and pressure on the neck structure. A sports physiotherapist uses ahand or some type of strap or towel to do this.
Different types of cervical traction are- manual traction,overhead pulley system, a pneumatic harness system, posture pump, mechanicaltraction,
Cervical traction can be applied when- There is cervicalspine instability. The herniated cervical intervertebral disc. Reduced cervicalcurve. Speed healing of injured neck structures. Muscle spasm. Loss of cervicalmobility. Etc.
Lumbar traction- lumbar traction uses a selected quantity oftension to the lower spine to ease the pain associated with muscle spasm andnerve root impingement in the lumbar area.
Lumbar traction can be used for the treatment of- Narrowingof the intervertebral foramen. Osteophyte encroachment. Disc bulge orherniation. Nerve toot impingement. Subacute injury. Paraspinal muscle spasm.Etc.
Different types of lumbar traction are- Manual lumbartraction (in hook lying position, patient’s knees are pushed toward their headas the pelvis is pulled in the opposite direction). On traction table with thepulley system. Inversion table. Posture pump. Unilateral traction. Unilateral position traction.
A sports physiotherapist also does this technique forperipheral joints like shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip knee, ankle, orinterphalangeal joints.