BACKGROUND: Spinal traction is a relatively popular procedure for increasing the intervertebral space by applying separating forces. The parameters of time and magnitude of the traction forces may influence the outcomes from this procedure and need to be investigated. The duration of the benefits derived from traction is unknown and needs to be determined so that physiotherapists can provide better and more effective treatments. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the relationship between load magnitude and time during spinal traction in relation to stature variations. Traction effect duration was also analyzed. METHOD: Fifteen healthy male subjects (23.1 ± 5.77 years; 1.80 ± 0.17 m and 87.0 ± 9.6 kg) were assessed under three traction conditions (0, 30 and 60% of body weight, BW) of 42 minutes. Stature variation was used to determine intervertebral disc height variation. Stature was assessed every 7 minutes during traction of 42 minutes and every 5 minutes for 45 minutes after traction ceased. RESULTS: 0 and 30% BW traction produced similar gains (6.09 ± 1.89 mm, 5.70 ± 1.88 mm, respectively; p>0.05), while these were smaller (p<0.05) than at 60% BW (7.01 ± 1.98 mm). Significant differences (p<0.05) between 60% BW and the other conditions occurred only after the 21st minute. Stature loss after traction showed that the traction effects were transient and lasted for approximately one hour. This suggests that traction loads of 30% BW are insufficient to produce stature gains similar to those observed with 60% BW. CONCLUSION: Traction showed a short-duration transient effect. For this effect to be maintained, it must be repeated at one-hour intervals. Its use is questioned because of its transient nature.
stature; intervertebral discs; spinal traction; back pain
