What Is a Traction Table?
Traction Table is a specialized treatment table that supports controlled pulling forces along the spine. The table may separate or move sections of its surface to create gentle spinal traction during care. Providers adjust the setup to the person’s condition, treatment goals, and comfort, often as part of spinal decompression therapy.
Quick Facts About Traction Table
Category
Spinal therapy equipment
Used for
Controlled spinal traction
Common confusion
Not a standard exam table
Also called
Decompression table, Spinal traction table
Often discussed with
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Key Takeaways About Traction Table
- A traction table has sections that may move or separate during treatment.
- Setup depends on the area treated and the person’s response.
- A traction table is not the same as an ordinary examination table.
How Traction Table Works

A traction table supports the body while a provider applies a controlled pulling force along a selected part of the spine. Some tables use a moving section to create a gradual change in spinal loading. The provider positions the person carefully and adjusts the table based on the treatment area and response.
Related glossary terms: Axial Traction, Flexion-Distraction, Lumbar Spine.
Spinal decompression therapy may use a traction table to guide repeated cycles of tension and release. These cycles create a structured treatment setting without requiring the person to actively move. The table does not diagnose a condition, and its movement does not replace clinical assessment. A spinal decompression system may include computerized controls, while a flexion-distraction table uses a different type of guided motion.

From the Advanced Injury Care Clinic team
When we use a traction table, we first consider the treatment area and the person’s current symptoms. We check positioning throughout the session and adjust the table when the person’s response calls for a change. Our team connects the table settings to the broader plan for spinal decompression therapy.
Traction Table in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person with lower back discomfort may lie on a traction table while the lower section supports a controlled pulling pattern. The provider monitors comfort and adjusts the setup as part of spinal decompression therapy.
Related Services
Related Terms
Axial Traction
Axial traction is a therapeutic pulling force applied along the length of the spine. The force…
Flexion-Distraction
Flexion-Distraction is a manual chiropractic technique that uses a specialized table to create controlled bending and…
Lumbar Spine
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the vertebral column, located between the thoracic spine and…
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can reduce room for…
Advanced Injury Care Clinic
Have Questions About Traction Table?
Contact Advanced Injury Care Clinic for practical guidance on Traction Table and related chiropractor work in Brentwood.
