Non-Invasive Traction Therapy for Spinal Pain Relief

Are you troubled by persistent lower back pain or stiffness and numbness in your neck? When medications and heat therapy fail to provide relief, and surgery feels like a drastic choice, traction therapy emerges as a non-invasive rehabilitation option. But how exactly does it work, and what issues can it address? Let’s delve into this key therapy that reduces spinal compression and alleviates pain. 

What is Traction Therapy?   

Traction therapy applies external force to relax tight muscles, tendons, or ligaments and gently separate joints. This technique helps prevent muscle atrophy, control spasms, avoid joint contractures, relieve pain, correct deformities and stabilise affected limbs. 

Two Main Types of Traction Therapy 

Traction therapy comes in various forms, but the two main types are: 

Cervical Traction

Cervical traction is used to treat neck pain by gently stretching the head to create space between the cervical vertebrae. This reduces pressure from intervertebral discs, bone spurs, or inflamed tissues on nerve roots, relaxes muscles, and increases joint mobility. 

Cervical traction can ease various types of neck and back pain while addressing nerve and muscle issues around the spine. It is effective for managing both short-term and chronic conditions, such as: 

• Nerve root disorder or compression
• Neck sprains
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal stenosis
• Degenerative disc diseases, such as herniated discs
• Cervical degeneration
• Scoliosis 

However, cervical traction is not suitable for everyone. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning treatment. The following individuals should avoid cervical traction: 

• Pregnant women
• Those with a history of cervical fusion surgery or other neck surgeries 
• Individuals with conditions that affect spinal or skeletal stability, such as: 
  • Aneurysms 
  • Osteoporosis 
    
  • Osteomyelitis 
  • Spinal tumours 
  • Cervical myelopathy 
  • Untreated high blood pressure 
  • Arterial insufficiency 
  • Spinal instability 

Lumbar Traction 

Lumbar traction focuses on stretching the lower back muscles, widening the intervertebral spaces, reducing lumbar lordosis, and decreasing joint compression. There are several types, including sustained, continuous, and intermittent traction. 

Lumbar traction can help alleviate or treat the following conditions:  

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc diseases
• Foraminal stenosis
• Restricted joint mobility
• Joint adhesions
• Muscle spasms
• Radiating pain, such as sciatica

Similar to cervical traction, lumbar traction may not be suitable for everyone. Avoid if you: 

• Are pregnant
• Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Suffer from spinal or skeletal conditions, such as spinal tumours, osteoporosis, aortic aneurysms, rheumatoid arthritis, spinal compression and spinal infections 

Additionally, other individuals should exercise caution with lumbar traction, including those with: 

• Severe respiratory disorders
• Hiatus hernias or abdominal hernias
• Acute lower back pain
• Severe haemorrhoids
• Eye disorders (e.g., glaucoma, retinal detachment) – especially during inversion traction 

If you have any concerns about traction therapy, consult our physiotherapists to evaluate whether this is the most suitable treatment for you. 

Benefits and Limitations of Traction Therapy 

Traction therapy has sparked debate over its effectiveness in recent years. Here’s an overview of its advantages and risks: 

Benefits 

As a conservative treatment, traction therapy avoids surgical risks and is suitable for most patients with neck or back pain. With various forms available—sustained, continuous, or intermittent—traction can be tailored to meet individual clinical needs.

Studies on lumbar traction have shown that it can retract herniated discs and create more space between vertebrae, as confirmed by X-rays, CT scans, and imaging techniques. Research also suggests that lumbar traction effectively alleviates symptoms of lower back pain and sciatica. Similarly, cervical traction has been found to temporarily relieve symptoms, particularly radiating pain caused by nerve root compression, and is beneficial for atlantoaxial subluxation in children. 

Limitations 

Despite its benefits, traction therapy has limitations. Current evidence suggests its effects are often temporary, with no guarantee of long-term improvement. Additionally, it is unsuitable for certain patients (e.g., those with osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy), restricting its application range. 

OT&P Healthcare Recommendations 

For any concerns regarding traction therapy, it is advisable to consult a qualified physiotherapist. A physiotherapist will carefully evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and overall physical condition to determine whether traction therapy is suitable for you. Based on their professional assessment, they can develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. For further inquiries, scheduling a consultation with a physiotherapist is recommended. 

References

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2. 亞洲大學附屬醫院, (2018). 牽引治療簡介 - 亞大醫院. 亞洲大學附屬醫院. Retrieved 28 October 2025 from https://www.auh.org.tw/NewsInfo/HealthEducationInfo?docid=483 
3. 安泰醫療社團法人安泰醫院（屏東．東港）,（2022）. 皮膚牽引病患照護須知. Retrieved 28 October 2025 from  https://www.tsmh.org.tw/sites/web_dg/upload/file-4900.pdf 
4.  Cleveland Clinic, (2022). Cervical traction. Retrieved 28 October 2025 from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23093-cervical-traction
5.   Pellecchia, G. L. (1994). Lumbar Traction: A Review of the literature. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 20(5), 262–267. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.1994.20.5.262
6.  Abi-Aad, K. R., & Derian, A. (2023, August 8). Cervical traction. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved 28 October 2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470412/