Michael L. Reed

Updated 6/2014

This approach has been mentioned under the heading of Manual Therapy. However, aside from the hands-on techniques used in manual therapy, traction can be applied through the use of special machines or apparatus’. These might include expensive and complex machines or other, less complicated and less expensive devices (such as pneumatic appliances or over-the-door, gravity-assisted contraptions).

Regardless of the equipment used, the purpose of traction is to decompress neurovascular structures by separating vertebral segments through the progressive application of a pulling force. For the cervical spine, this will be administered through the head. For the lumbar region, traction will be administered through the pelvis and ribs.