Guide

Traction Therapy

Mechanical or manual unloading of the spine for patients with radicular symptoms from a disc or stenosis. Evidence is modest; works best when paired with exercise and patient selection is tight.

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Traction Therapy Physiotherapy in Johor

Traction applies a pulling force along the axis of the spine to create a temporary window of intervertebral unloading.

It can be mechanical (a motorised table with chest harness and hip strap) or manual (the physio does the pull intermittently).

The honest summary: it is useful in a narrow set of conditions, mostly those with identifiable nerve-root compression symptoms, and it is oversold everywhere else.

Where traction actually helps

Lumbar radiculopathy from a confirmed disc bulge or herniation, where leg symptoms ease in extension or with positional relief: a subset responds well to mechanical traction over 4–8 sessions.

Cervical radiculopathy from disc or uncovertebral joint changes: cervical traction (often manual) can settle nerve-root irritation while the patient works on deep neck flexors and posture.

Lumbar stenosis with intermittent neurogenic claudication: sometimes eases walking tolerance temporarily.

Where it's a waste

Non-specific mechanical low back pain without radicular symptoms. Chronic widespread pain.

Post-surgical patients within the surgeon's precaution window. Most cases of neck pain without arm radiation.

For these, the evidence simply doesn't support it and the clinic time is better spent elsewhere.

Safety caveats

Not for osteoporosis, vertebral fracture, cord compression, spinal infection or tumour, uncontrolled hypertension, recent spinal surgery, or pregnancy.

We screen before every first session.

Cost and Johor context

Physio pricing is shown as RM120-250 per session; total spend depends on the number of sessions needed.

Several Johor hospitals - HSA Sultanah Aminah, HSI, KPJ Johor Specialist, KPJ Puteri - have mechanical lumbar and cervical traction units in their physiotherapy departments.

We pair it with exercise every time.

How PhysioJohor matches you

WhatsApp us: symptom pattern (does pain go into the leg or arm?), any MRI or X-ray findings, and what has been tried before.

Where patients come from

Johor BahruIskandar PuteriSkudai

FAQs

What symptoms mean I should ask about Traction Therapy physiotherapy in Johor?
Pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness, swelling, repeated flare-ups, balance change or reduced daily function are common reasons to ask for a screen. A physiotherapist should also check red flags before starting treatment.
How does treatment for Traction Therapy physiotherapy in Johor usually work, and what does it cost?
A first session normally includes history, movement testing, red-flag screening, education and a home exercise plan. In Johor, clinic sessions commonly sit around RM120-250, while home visits are usually RM120-250 depending on distance, case complexity and session length.
When is physiotherapy not enough for Traction Therapy physiotherapy in Johor?
If symptoms include fever, unexplained weight loss, severe night pain, new bladder or bowel changes, progressive neurological loss, suspected fracture or post-surgical infection, see a doctor or hospital first. Compared with rest alone, physiotherapy gives a graded recovery plan that often takes weeks, or months after surgery.

MT Reviewed by M. Thurairaj, Registered Physiotherapist

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