Spinal Decompression & Traction
Traction therapy is a form of decompression: gentle, controlled pulling on the spine, by hand or by mechanical unit, to relieve pressure and ease pain. Joint Effort Physical Therapy offers traction, including cervical and lumbar traction, at our clinic in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Spinal decompression therapy and traction
Traction takes pressure off the spine and may relieve symptoms from joints, sprains and spasms. Traction is a form of decompression therapy. People often search for non-surgical spinal decompression; what this page describes is traction.
It is not a repair of a disc and not a replacement for surgery. It is one tool in a plan.
Mechanical traction, manual traction and neck traction
Mechanical traction
A device stretches the spinal vertebrae and muscles.
Manual traction
Your therapist uses their hands to stretch the spine and muscles. It pairs with other manual therapy.
Cervical vs lumbar
Cervical traction uses gentle force to draw the head away from the neck. Lumbar traction gently gaps the pelvis from the low back.
Who traction is for
People with these problems are often evaluated for it:
Herniated disc and sciatica
The practice lists traction for herniated discs and sciatica, so decompression for herniated disc and decompression for sciatica are both covered here. See sciatica.
Pinched nerves and degenerative disc disease
Where pressure on a nerve is part of the picture. Your evaluation decides.
What a visit is like, and the plan around it
Your therapist sets the force and position for your problem. You should feel a gentle stretch, not pain, and you should tell the therapist if that changes. Your therapist will tell you at your evaluation how long a session lasts and how many visits to expect.
Traction works best together with exercise. Your plan may also use electrical stimulation, to ease pain during the same visit.
Who should not have traction
Tell your therapist about any of the following before treatment:
- Osteoporosis
- A spinal fracture or tumor
- A recent spinal fusion
- Pregnancy
New weakness in a leg, numbness in the groin, or loss of bladder or bowel control needs urgent medical care, not an appointment.
Cost
Ask about billing for traction when you call. Joint Effort Physical Therapy accepts most major commercial and private insurances, and the insurance page lists the plans it does not take. Self-pay is $85 per visit.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Traction care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Traction at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.