Cervical Spine Traction|Traction as a Stretching Technique

Traction as a Stretching Technique

 Manual Traction:
 Cervical Spine Traction

 techniques can be used for the purposes of stretching the muscles and the facet joint capsules and widening the in- intervertebral foramina.
The value of manual traction is that the angle of pull, head position, and placement of the force (via specific hand placements) can be controlled by the therapist; thus, the force can be specifically applied with minimum stress to regions that should not be stretched.

Patient position: Supine on a treatment table. The patient should be as relaxed as possible.

Therapist position and hand placement: Standing at the head of the treatment table, supporting the weight of the patient's head in the hands.
Hand placement depends on comfort, the size of the patient's head and the therapist's hands. Suggestions include:

A. Place the fingers of both hands under the occiput or with the hands on the sides of the face Not covering the ears

*B. Place one hand over the forehead and the other hand under the occipital 

 C. place the index fingers around the spinous process above the vertebral level to be moved. This hand placement provides a specific traction only to the vertebral segments below the level at which the fingers are placed. A belt around the therapist's hips can be used to reinforce the fingers and in crease the case of applying the traction force 

Procedure: Vary the patient's head position in flexion, extension, Side bending, and side bending with rotation until the Issue to be stretched is taut: then apply a traction force by as a stable stance and leaning backward in a controlled  manner. In a belt is used, the force is transmitted the the belt. The force is usually applied intermittently with smooth and gradual building and releasing of the force. The intensity and duration are usually limited by the therapist strength and endurance.

Self-Traction: 

Cervical Spine Patient position and procedure:
 Sitting or lying down.
Have the patient place his or her hands behind the neck with the fingers interlocking the ulnar border of the fingers and hands are under the occiput and mastoid processes. The patient then gives a lifting motion to the head. The head and spine may be placed in flexion, extension, side bending, or rotation for more isolated effects. He or she may apply the traction inter mittently or in a sustained manner.

NOTE: Various forms of mechanical traction can be used in the clinical setting and at home. The position dosage, and duration of traction are determined by the therapist. Instructions for use of the equipment is not described in this text