Effect of lumbar traction on stature

Ten subjects were given lumbar traction for each of three time periods. Traction forces of one third of body weight were used. Stature was measured before and after traction and before and after three control periods of crook lying (lying supine with the knees flexed at 90 degrees and the feet resting on the traction table). ANOVA was used to test the hypotheses that traction and time in traction were significantly related to stature increase. Traction had significant effects on stature. The mean stature increase was 8.94 mm after 25 minutes traction compared with 3.33 mm after 25 minutes crook lying. Time in traction also had significant effects on stature increase which was most rapid during the first 15 minutes of traction. These findings can be related to the use of stature measurement as an index of spinal loading and the possible implications for treatment. However, since only healthy, young subjects were used and only one magnitude of traction was applied, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Further investigations would overcome these limitations.