1. Cervical Traction
Chapter 17
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2. Cervical Traction Tension must overcome weight of skull
Approximately 8.1% of total body weight
14 pounds
Tension: Supine and Seated
Supine: Approximately 7% of body weight (10 lbs)
Reclined: Approximately 20% of body weight (24 lbs)
Treatment Time
Depends on the pathology
Approximately 5 to 20
Use comfort as a guide
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3. Indications Degenerative disc disease Nerve root compression
Disc herniation
Muscle spasm
Osteoarthritis or facet joint inflammation
Capsulitis of vertebral joints
Pathology of anterior or posterior longitudinal ligaments
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4. Contraindications Pain of unknown origin Acute injury
Unstable spinal segments
Cancer, meningitis, or other spinal cord/ vertebrae disease
Vertebral fracture
Extruded disc fragments
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5. Mechanical Traction Wall or door-mounted traction Sitting or Prone
Uses water bags, sand bags, or weight plates
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6. Mechanical Traction Mandibular-occipital harness Occipital harness
Places pressure on the TMJ which may cause discomfort
Occipital harness
Forcse on skull’s occipital bone
Can be used to place spine in varying degress
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7. Mechanical Traction Application
Assess body weight
Remove material that may interfere with halter
Adjust halter accordingly
Bilateral = midline of body
Secure and connect halter
Align angle of pull to correspond with the specific pathology
Give patient Safety Switch
Explain treatment
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8. Initiation of Treatment
Set controls to zero and turn on unit
Remove slack
Adjust Ratio
Normally 3:1 or 4:1
Tension
Approximately 10 pounds or 7% of body weight
First exposure use lower tension
Duration
Corresponding to pathology
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9. Termination of Treatment
Tension
Gradually reduce over 3 or 4 cycles
Gain slack and turn unit OFF
Remove halter from unit and patient
Patient remains in position for 5 minutes after the treatment
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10. Manual Traction
Changes in tension, angle of pull, and duration are more easily adjusted when compared to mechanical traction
Nondominant hand cradles the occiput
Dominant hand under nondominant
Pulls using bodyweight
Can be administered in sustained or intermittent modes
© 2005