Recent research (1) looking at 25 studies with over 2000 patients with back pain has shown that traction alone is no more effective than a placebo or sham treatment.

Traction is commonly used by some physiotherapists and chiropractors. It is also sometimes used by doctors and given under anaesthetic.

More recently it has gone out of favour as adverse effects have been noted in some research. We have had considerable experience with patients who have had substantial aggravation following traction.

Given that there is a risk of aggravation and there is very little evidence to suggest benefit, traction should be avoided wherever possible. Certainly where other treatments are effective it should not generally be used for back pain.

We tend not to use it at all for our patients at Quality Occupational Health as it doesn’t seem to be effective and also the aggravations can be dramatic.

If you have any comments or questions please feel free to come to the next Merrylands and District Rehabilitation Interest Group. Dates for these are under Training News on each of our web pages.

(1) Link