Cervical and lumbar traction are techniques used to relieve pain and improve mobility in the neck and lower back. They involve applying a force to separate the vertebrae and open the intervertebral space, reducing pressure on the intervertebral disks and spinal nerve roots.
- Manual traction: With manual traction therapy the doctor will hold your head, back or hips in their hands and lightly pull or twist it away from your body. They’ll usually pull with these areas in different positions or different amounts of bend.
- Mechanical traction: With mechanical cervical traction you’ll lie down and the doctor will put your head, neck and/or back in cervical or lumbar traction device. The device has a mechanism that applies gentle, even pressure, pulling on your head and spine to create space in your neck and spine.