Transcript Cervical Traction - Therapeutic Modalities

Cervical Traction
Chapter 17
Cervical Traction
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Tension must overcome weight of skull
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Tension: Supine and Seated
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Approximately 8.1% of total body weight
14 pounds
Supine: Approximately 7% of body weight (10 lbs)
Reclined: Approximately 20% of body weight (24 lbs)
Treatment Time
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Depends on the pathology
Approximately 5 to 20
Use comfort as a guide
Indications
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Degenerative disc disease
Nerve root compression
Disc herniation
Muscle spasm
Osteoarthritis or facet joint
inflammation
Capsulitis of vertebral joints
Pathology of anterior or
posterior longitudinal
ligaments
Contraindications
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Pain of unknown origin
Acute injury
Unstable spinal segments
Cancer, meningitis, or other spinal cord/
vertebrae disease
Vertebral fracture
Extruded disc fragments
Mechanical Traction
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Wall or door-mounted traction
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Sitting or Prone
Uses water bags, sand bags, or weight plates
Mechanical Traction
Mandibular-occipital
harness
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Places pressure on the
TMJ which may cause
discomfort
Occipital harness
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Force placed on
occipital bone
Can be used to place
spine in various
positions
Mechanical Traction Application
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Assess body weight
Remove material that may interfere with halter
Adjust halter accordingly
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Bilateral = midline of body
Secure and connect halter
Align angle of pull to correspond with the
specific pathology
Give patient Safety Switch
Explain treatment
Initiation of Treatment
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Set controls to zero and turn on unit
Remove slack
Adjust Ratio
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Tension
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Normally 3:1 or 4:1
Approximately 10 pounds or 7% of body weight
First exposure use lower tension
Duration
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Corresponding to pathology
Termination of Treatment
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Tension
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Gradually reduce over 3 or 4 cycles
Gain slack and turn unit OFF
Remove halter from unit and patient
Patient remains in position for 5 minutes after
the treatment
Manual Traction
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Changes in tension, angle of
pull, and duration are more
easily adjusted when
compared to mechanical
traction
Nondominant hand cradles
the occiput
Dominant hand under
nondominant
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Pull using bodyweight
Can be administered
sustained or intermittent