Axial Traction is the use of a pulling force to elongate the body and treat muscle and skeleton disorders by reversing the force of gravity on the spine. It can be used in the cervical (neck) or the lumbar (lower back) regions. It is referred to as “axial traction,” since it stretches and elongates the body. It can be performed manually or mechanically.
The Benefits of Axial Traction are:
- Decreases the pressure on the exiting spinal nerves
- Decreases pressure on the discs
- Decreases tingling, numbness and pain in the upper and lower extremities
- Decreases pain and stiffness in the spinal joints
- Decreases muscle spasms
- Relaxes the paraspinal muscles
- Decreases the compression on the spinal discs and posterior facets (hinges)
- Increases the diameter of the neural foramen (small canals, where the spinal nerves exit the spinal column)
Conditions Treated with Axial Traction:
- Herniated Discs
- Slipped Discs
- Bone Spurs
- Facet Arthropathy (Degeneration)
- Sciatica
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Pinched and/or Irritated Nerves
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Muscle Spasms
- Foraminal Stenosis
Spinal traction is a non-surgical way to relieve pain in the spine. Spinal traction offers consistent relief for most patients.