Traction

Question 1

What are the effects of spinal traction?

Answer 1

1. Soft tissue stretch
2. Muscle relaxation
3. Reduction of a disc protrusion
4. Joint distraction to aid with nerve root impingement
5. Joint mobilization

Question 2

What is the muscle relaxation effect of traction?

Answer 2

1. Has an effect on A-beta input
2. GTOs
3. Decreased stretch reflex when done statically

Question 3

What does low-level traction provide when used early (subacute) in the healing process?

Answer 3

Provides reduced pressure on painful structures.

Question 4

What are some causes of nerve root compression?

Answer 4

1. Disc herniation
2. Osteophyte encroachment and disc degeneration)
3. Spondylolisthesis

Question 5

What is the minimum effective force (lbs) for lumbar traction?

Answer 5

60lbs

Question 6

What is the minimum effective force (lbs) for cervical traction?

Answer 6

15-30lbs

Question 7

What are the contraindications for traction?

Answer 7

1. Where motion is contraindicated
2. Acute injury/inflammation
3. Joint Hypermobility or instability
4. Peripheralization of symptoms with traction (pain moves laterally away from the center of the spine and/or down the extremity)
5. Uncontrolled hypertension

Question 8

What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs a disc or soft tissue stretch?

Answer 8

60 seconds on 20 seconds off

Question 9

What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs traction to a joint?

Answer 9

15 seconds on 15 second off

Question 10

What are your traction timing parameters if a patient needs to reduce muscle spasms?

Answer 10

5 seconds on 5 seconds off

Question 11

When initially utilizing tension modalities on a new patient what duration consideration would you have?

Answer 11

Make it shorter initially in order to determine tolerance.