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Glossary

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 person presses both hands on a padded treatment table in a bright room with a monitor in the background

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.

A therapist adjusts a patient on a padded treatment table near a bright window

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 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.

The health and wellness information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified licensed provider in Brentwood, Tennessee, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.

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