As a general term, traction means pulling on part of the body.
Most often, traction uses mechanical force (sometimes generated
by weights and pulleys) to put tension on a displaced bone or
joint, such as a dislocated shoulder, to put it back in position
and keep it still. Traction is also used to keep a group of
muscles (such as the neck muscles) stretched to reduce muscle
spasms. This is called cervical traction. As a treatment,
traction will involve a certain amount of tension to pull the
body part into another position, a length of time to use the
tension, and a way to keep the tension. Review Date: 8/11/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine,
Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University
of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve,
MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information
provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency
or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A
licensed medical professiona