Lumbar traction-:.

Definition-:Lumbar traction is the process of applying a stretching force to the lumbar vertebrae
through body weight, weights, and/or pulleys to distract individual joints of the lumbar spine.
-:The word traction is a derivative of the Latin word "tractico", which means "a process of
drawing or pulling.
-:Traction as a therapy modality in the treatment of low back pain.

-:3 benefits of lumbar traction: (a)distraction to increase the intervertebral space,

(b) tensing of the posterior longitudinal vertebral ligament to exert centripetal force at the back of
the joint and suction to draw the disc protrusion towards the center of the joint.
(c) Some other effects attributed to traction include widening of the intervertebral foramen and
distraction of the apophyseal joints.
-:The lumbar spine is made up of five individual vertebrae which are numbered L1 to L5 and
together they create the concave lumbar curvature in the lower back.
-:The lumbar vertebrae are the some of the largest and heaviest vertebrae in the spine.

Application of lumbar traction-:.

Apparatus required-:. -Pelvic belt.
                                        -Thoracic belt.
                                        -Traction bed.
                                        - Traction machine or weight nd Pulley circuit.

Types of Lumbar Traction-:

       (1)Continuous Traction -: Continuous or bed traction uses low weights for extended periods
of time (up to several hours at a time).
       -This long duration requires that only small amounts of weight be used. It is generally
believed that this type of traction is ineffective in actually separating the spinal structures.
       (2)Sustained Traction -: This type of traction involves heavier weights applied steadily for
short periods of time (for periods from a few minutes up to 1 hr).     
         -Sustained traction is sometimes referred to as static traction.
         (3)Intermittent Mechanical Traction -: Intermittent traction is similar to sustained traction in
intensity and duration but utilises a mechanical unit to alternately apply and release the traction
force at preset intervals.
         (4)Manual Traction -:Manual traction is applied as the clinician's hands and/or a belt are
used to pull on the patient's legs.
         -It is usually applied for a few seconds duration or can be applied as a sudden, quick
thrust.
        (5)Positional Traction - This form of traction is applied by placing the patient in various
positions using pillows, blocks, or sandbags to effect a longitudinal pull on the spinal structures.

Lode-:.For lumbar traction the lode should be  more than 1/3rd of bodyweight.
    -The lower half of the body encountered with the frictional force equal to 1/3rd of bodyweight.
    -So the magnitude of traction force should be move than 1/3rd of body weight for effective
traction.

Position-:. If lumbar flexion is painful & extension is pain free,so traction is applied in extension.
i'e prone lying or supine keep knee straight &role under lumbar spine.
   -if extension is painful & flexion is pain free,so traction is applied in flexion.
   i'e supine lying &knee flexed
     -if flexion and extension both are painful traction is applied in extension.