Background and Identification
Spinal traction, also known as cervical traction, is used to relieve pressure on joints. It is particularly beneficial to patients who suffer from a herniated disc, bone spurs, compressed spinal nerves, and other conditions. Traction is administered by stretching the spine remove pressure from compressed discs.
There are two types of spinal traction: manual and mechanical. Manual traction is when a physical therapist uses their hands to stretch the patient’s spine. For mechanical traction, the patient is connected to a special table, which has a series of strings and pullies that create the stretch.