What it is
Spinal traction, often called mechanical spinal decompression, uses a motorized table to apply a slow, controlled pull to the spine. Lumbar traction works on the lower back. Cervical traction works on the neck. The table pulls gently, holds, and then eases off, in repeating cycles. The aim is to take some pressure off the discs and the nerve roots, stretch tight structures and calm muscle spasm, so that moving and exercising feel easier.
The force, the hold and rest times and the length of the session are set by your therapist for your condition and adjusted as you go.
In the first video, our clinician explains how mechanical traction is used for neck and lower back pain. In the second, a physical therapist shows cervical traction for neck pain and tingling into the hands. More in our article What is mechanical spinal decompression?
Who it may help
Traction may be considered, after an evaluation, for:
Herniated or bulging disc
Disc material pressing toward a nerve in the neck or lower back.
Sciatica and radiating pain
Pain, numbness or tingling that travels down a leg or into an arm along an irritated nerve root (radiculopathy).
Pinched nerve
A nerve root squeezed where it leaves the spine, in the neck or the lower back.
Spinal stenosis
Narrowing around the nerves that can cause back and leg symptoms with standing or walking.
Neck pain
Neck pain and stiffness, including neck pain with muscle spasm or symptoms into the shoulder and arm.
Lower back pain
Ongoing lower back pain with muscle spasm, when the exam suggests traction may help.
Learn more about lower back pain and sciatica, neck pain and upper back pain.
What a session is like
- Lumbar traction: you lie on the table, usually on your back, and padded straps are fastened around your trunk and pelvis. The table then pulls the lower half of your body gently away from the upper half.
- Cervical traction: you lie on your back while a padded neck piece cradles the base of your skull and pulls gently along the line of the neck.
- The pull builds slowly, holds, then releases for a short rest, and repeats. It should feel like a gentle stretch, not pain.
- A typical session lasts several minutes, and your therapist stays close by. Tell them right away if your symptoms increase or spread.
- Your clinician may want to review imaging, such as an MRI, before you start.
Part of a physical therapy plan
At Precision Care, traction is not used on its own. It is one part of a physical therapy plan that starts with an evaluation and usually includes exercise, manual therapy and teaching you how to move and position yourself. When pain is severe or nerve symptoms persist, a physician may also review options such as epidural steroid injections or EMG and nerve conduction testing through our pain management team. Your clinician explains the expected benefit and the limits before anything is scheduled, and results vary from person to person.
Limits and who it is not for
Traction does not repair a disc or reverse arthritis, and not everyone feels better with it. It is usually avoided, or used only with extra caution, in people with:
- A recent spinal fracture, or recent spine surgery
- A spinal tumor or infection
- Significant osteoporosis
- Pregnancy
- Some heart or blood vessel conditions, or other conditions your clinician identifies
Your clinician screens for these before you start and stops or changes traction if it does not help. Go to an emergency room for new leg or arm weakness, numbness in the groin, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Where traction is offered
Lumbar and cervical traction are offered at two Precision Care offices. Traction is not offered at the Midtown Manhattan office.
Staten Island, NY 10304
(718) 339-7100 · Staten Island office
Watch and read more
More traction videos
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical on lumbar and cervical traction.
Who treats it
Our team is ready to help.
Ashley Marcus, MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Interventional Pain Management
Brooklyn
Jake Stephen, DO
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Pain Medicine
Staten Island
Yuri Gordin, MD
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · Pain Medicine
Midtown Manhattan
Julia Kogan, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner
Brooklyn
Zoya Reznik, DPT, OCS
Clinical Director · Physical Therapist · Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
Brooklyn
Maggie (Yi) Zhang, DPT
Physical Therapist
Brooklyn
Victoria Lynn Kain, DPT
Clinical Director · Physical Therapist
Staten Island
Nicholas “Nick” Ursini, DPT
Physical Therapist
Staten Island
Valerie Khodorkovskiy, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist · Upper Extremity & Fine Motor
BrooklynDennis Furman, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
BrooklynLeila Nahmoud, PTA
Physical Therapist Assistant
BrooklynSwipe or use the arrows · All providers
Questions
What is spinal traction or spinal decompression?
It is a non-surgical treatment in which a motorized table gently pulls on the lower back (lumbar traction) or the neck (cervical traction), holds, and then releases in repeating cycles. The aim is to take pressure off the discs and nerves and ease muscle spasm. At Precision Care it is used as part of a physical therapy plan.
Who may benefit from traction?
People with neck or lower back pain from a herniated or bulging disc, sciatica or pain that travels down an arm or leg, a pinched nerve, spinal stenosis or muscle spasm may be candidates. Your clinician decides after an evaluation whether traction fits your plan.
Does traction hurt?
Traction is meant to feel like a slow, gentle stretch, not pain. The force is set for you and adjusted as needed. Tell your therapist right away if your symptoms get worse during a session.
Who should not have traction?
Traction is not right for everyone. It is usually avoided, or used only with extra caution, after a recent spinal fracture or spine surgery, with a spinal tumor or infection, with significant osteoporosis, during pregnancy and with some heart or blood vessel conditions. Your clinician screens for these before you start.
Where is traction offered at Precision Care?
Lumbar and cervical traction are offered at the Brooklyn office (2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223, (718) 648-1234) and the Staten Island office (1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304, (718) 339-7100). Traction is not offered at the Midtown Manhattan office.
General education, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan. Results vary from person to person. For a medical emergency, call 911.