A lot of people are suffering from back stiffness and pain that might be due to degenerative diseases or disc problems in the spine. Sometimes the facet joints are fixed in an irregular pattern which leads to a reduced range of motion and stiffness of the back. Here we are going to explore the technique of manual therapy to sort out these problems and to give evidence about The 4 Amazing Uses of Traction in Physiotherapy.

The concept of Traction In Physiotherapy comes from the Latin word “traction” which means pulling or separating things. There are many types of traction therapy in physiotherapy to separate the vertebras with the force applied to the inferior superior axis of the spine.

TYPES OF Traction In Physiotherapy

• Continuous Traction: Bed traction, also known as continuous traction, applies light weights for prolonged periods, often up to several hours. It is necessary to employ minimal quantities of weight for this extended duration. Most people think that this kind of traction is not successful in separating the spinal components. Stated differently, the patient is unable to bear weights that would cause the vertebrae to separate over an extended period.
• Sustained Traction: In this form of traction, greater weights are applied gradually over brief intervals of time (ranging from a few minutes to an hour). Static traction is another term for sustained traction.
• Intermittent Mechanical Traction: Using a mechanical unit to alternately apply and release the traction force at predetermined intervals, intermittent traction is comparable to sustained traction in terms of intensity and duration.
• Manual Traction: In manual traction, the patient’s legs are pulled by the doctor using either their hands or a belt. It might be applied abruptly and quickly, or it is often applied for a few seconds.
• Attraction: Auto traction works using a specifically made table that has two independently movable pieces that may be tilted and rotated. By pushing with their feet or tugging with their arms, the patient produces the traction force. Research on auto traction has revealed positive clinical outcomes, however, the location or extent of the lumbar disc herniation has not changed.
• Positional Traction: This type of traction applies a longitudinal draw on the spinal structures by positioning the patient using cushions, blocks, or sandbags. It often affects just one side of the spinal segment and involves lateral bending.
• Gravity lumbar traction: This technique uses the patient’s body weight as traction force by tilting the treatment table vertically and fastening the patient with a chest harness.

INDICATIONS of Traction In Physiotherapy

The force that is provided needs to be strong enough, long enough, and directed in the right direction to prevent the body from moving while opposing the movement with an equally strong force. This therapy is beneficial for people with certain spinal disorders and is most frequently used to treat:

Indications of Traction In Physiotherapy

• slick discs
• spurs on bones
• degenerative disc disease
• disc herniation
• Facet illness
• Sciatica
• Foramina stenosis
• strained or pinched nerves
• Spondylosis in the neck
• Spondylosis in the Lumbar Region

BENEFITS of Traction In Physiotherapy

• Relaxing Muscles
• The issue is that the muscles are subjected to excessive pressure because of the position of the spinal column. The muscles are therefore under continual strain. However, the traction will aid in relieving tension and relaxing the muscles. 
• Alleviation Of Pain
• The force that is delivered aids in the spinal column’s regulated straightening. The pressure that could otherwise cause pain will be released. Additionally, it will enable a more favorable physical environment to hasten the healing process. 
• Stay Away From Surgery
• By selecting the mechanical method of spinal correction and pain alleviation, you can easily skip surgical operations. The required force will be applied by the machine or the therapist.
• Encourages General Recovery
• Applying precise pressure on the disc causes the healing nutrients to be released, which in turn activates your body’s natural healing process. It will, of course, promote a quicker recovery in general. 
• Enhances Other Forms Of Treatment
• There is no surgery involved in the procedure. Thus, it is safe to get further therapies such as electric stimulation, ultrasound applications, and hot and cold therapy.

MECHANISM OF TRACTION

It is believed that shifting the motion segment will alter the disc-nerve interface or the nucleus pulpous’s location about the posterior annulus fibrosus. Studies looking at the kinematics of the lumbar spine during traction therapy support the plausibility of these effects. Traction has been demonstrated to enhance the foraminal area and decrease nucleus pulposus pressure in addition to separating the vertebrae.

However, it seems unlikely that if a patient returns to an upright, weight-bearing posture, the mechanical changes seen in a prone position would persist. It is more likely that traction therapy’s long-lasting clinical effects will result from how it affects the motor segment’s or neural tissues’ mechanobiology. The fact that different traction therapies apply different forces to the spine and that animal studies have revealed a sensitivity of the disc’s mechanobiology to loading intensity, frequency, and duration further complicates the matter.

Certain types of traction may encourage tissue deterioration, while others may accelerate disc or joint repair. Even in animal models, these characteristics have not been thoroughly investigated, but our understanding of disc mechanobiology should warn us that there may be differences amongst traction therapy.

HOW DOES IT WORKS

A round object called a disc rests in between each vertebra in the spine. Its delicate inner tissue is surrounded by a hard outer layer. The soft inside of a disc pokes through the crack as it is compressed and breaks the hard outer layer. This protrusion causes pain by compressing surrounding nerves.

The disc is relieved of pressure as traction moves the vertebra away from it. This helps the disc’s soft portion to retract into the disc. This relieves pain by decompressing the nerve. This aids in the disc’s rehydration as well. Traction reduces discomfort and removes pressure on the spine.

SUMMARY

A physical procedure called Traction In Physiotherapy is used to relieve pressure on painful spinal discs. By manually “stretching” the spine, traction relieves pressure on the discs and, thus, lessens pain for the patient. A round object called a disc rests in between each vertebra in the spine. Its delicate inner tissue is surrounded by a hard outer layer. The soft inside of a disc pokes through the crack as it is compressed and breaks the hard outer layer.

This protrusion causes pain by compressing surrounding nerves. The disc is relieved of pressure as Traction In Physiotherapy moves the vertebra away from it. This helps the disc’s soft portion to retract into the disc. This relieves pain by decompressing the nerve. This aids in the disc’s rehydration as well.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How to Get Ready for Traction Therapy?

First, you should talk to your doctor to develop a comprehensive, well-managed physical therapy plan. Several other therapies are improved by spinal traction. If your doctor suggests at-home exercise, you might need to perform some of these activities regularly. However, it is by no means a necessary component of the tale. 

Who gains when there is traction?

In cases like herniated or prolapsed discs, traction may be helpful.

• Sciatica
• ache in the neck
• Spondylitis
• stenosis of the spine
• degenerative disc disease

Why does physical treatment employ traction?

Spinal decompression therapy, also known as traction therapy, is a non-surgical procedure that stretches the spine and reduces pain in the impacted discs by using mechanical or manual methods. By realigning bulging or herniated discs, this procedure relieves strain on the back.