Lumbar Traction
A gentle decompression treatment to help alleviate back pain and support a return to comfortable daily movement.
Using Lumbar Traction to Alleviate Back Pain
If you’re living with back pain, you’re not alone—and lumbar traction can help. According to a study conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association, one-third of adults surveyed said low back pain impacted their ability to sleep, work, or exercise.
Lumbar traction is a common physical therapy treatment for relieving back pain. It has proven to significantly help patients get back to their normal levels of function, so they can find much-needed relief and return to comfortably living daily life.
At Cutting Edge Physical Therapy, traction is used as part of a personalized plan rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Your physical therapist will evaluate your needs and determine whether this form of decompression therapy is appropriate for you.
How Can Lumbar Traction Treat Back Pain?
Many people associate physical therapy with movement, balance, and mobility, but therapies such as lumbar traction also play an important role in pain relief. When combined with other physical therapy modalities, lumbar traction can be more effective than pain medications in providing long-term relief.
Lumbar traction is a form of decompression therapy that relieves pressure on the spine and can alleviate pain from joints, sprains, and spasms. A gentle force is used to gap the pelvis from the lower back, helping manipulate the spine and provide relief.
It may be included in care for herniated discs, sciatica, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and other back conditions. Treatment is performed by skilled physical therapists and/or with mechanical units.
Two Approaches to Lumbar Traction
Your therapist can determine the most appropriate approach for your symptoms, comfort, and treatment plan.
Mechanical Traction
Mechanical traction uses specialized devices that work by stretching the spinal vertebrae and muscles. This treatment technique provides controlled decompression as part of a physical therapy plan.
Manual Traction
With manual traction, a physical therapist uses their hands to stretch the spinal vertebrae and muscles. This hands-on approach is delivered by a skilled therapist according to your individual needs.
Care Built Around Your Back Pain
Lumbar traction can be incorporated with other physical therapy modalities to address your specific condition and contributing symptoms. Explore related conditions and treatment approaches available at Cutting Edge Physical Therapy.
Lower Back Pain
Back pain can interfere with sleep, work, and exercise. Our therapists create individualized plans to help restore comfortable function.
Sciatica
Sciatica is among the back conditions for which lumbar traction may be used as part of a broader physical therapy treatment plan.
Spinal Mobilization
Hands-on care can be combined with other treatment modalities as your therapist works toward your movement and pain-relief goals.
How Can I Get Started?
If your back has been bothering you, schedule a consultation with Cutting Edge Physical Therapy. One of our highly trained Salt Lake City physical therapists will design a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs. Don’t live with lower back pain—lumbar traction can help get you moving.