Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Effectiveness of Cervical Traction (Cervical Traction)

Cervical Traction

The effectiveness of cervical traction primarily depends on three major factors: the strength of pressure applied on affected areas, the direction of traction force, and the duration and frequency of therapy sessions. It is important to let licensed medical practitioners provide the appropriate instructions and details of treatment using cervical traction procedure.

A. Strength of Pressure

As a basic principle, the application of force to the cervical discs should not be too forceful. That’s because the inter-vertebral cervical discs are small and relatively unstable. So, at first application, the patient should properly determine the strength of force needed to alleviate pain.

If the minimum application of force does not mitigate the pain in the affected areas, it must be adjusted until the proper strength is achieved. Needless to say, application of pressure and determination of appropriate force should be carried out gradually. This is to minimize adverse effects and to maximize the benefits of cervical traction procedure.

B. The Direction of Traction

Constant cervical joint spasms can be felt especially if the patient is suffering from neck pains. The spasm is mainly due to cervical spine extension, thus increasing root irritation. The normal reaction to this is to flex the spine vertically to relieve the extension of the cervical spine. The result is distraction of the spaces of the cervical spine and correction of posture, thus relieving the pain.

This maneuver is the one being replicated by cervical traction procedure. By helping patients achieve proper spine posture and alignment, the pain is generally alleviated. That is why the direction of traction is critical to obtaining relief from cervical spine misalignment. Normally, patients are directed to sit straight while traction is applied vertically through a pulling motion.

C. Duration and Frequency of Therapy

Again, the duration and frequency of cervical traction procedure will primarily depend on its result. If the patient cannot be relieved through short traction time, application may be extended until relief is achieved.

Cervical traction therapy should be frequent especially during the first stages of treatment. Sessions can be reduced if episodes of cervical spine pains become more infrequent. Later, traction may be used as needed only, or it can be discontinued if spinal pain does not reoccur.

Cervical Traction

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