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
Nigel is a principal hand therapist practicing since 2005; and Louise is a principal physiotherapist practicing since 2006…and we’re really interested in treating orthopedic and sports injuries and condition, and treating pain for good.
Orthopedic and sports injuries and conditions refer to painful issues to one’s
- bones, muscles, joints, nerves, tendons and ligaments
- ie neck, back, hip, knee, calf, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand and fingers
Read more: About Us & CureMyPains.com, see the pain relief solutions and products we recommend or contact us
Where To Next
- Go to Home / Start
- Learn and find out more about your orthopedic / sports pains (bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves etc) at Pain Conditions & Injuries
- Explore pain relief physiotherapy treatments as well as pain relief products & solutions
- Ask our physiotherapist and hand therapist questions about your specific pain.
- Read our latest articles at our blog
- Contact us to suggest topics / pain relief products for us to review; for media inquiries or even to say hi (we'd love to receive mail thanking us for helping with pain relief).