The effects of cervical intermittent traction on neck and shoulder pain were evaluated in 96 patients. Namely, a 15-second traction of the neck was repeated with a 5-second interval between tractions.
In 39 patients, blood flowmetry and electromyography were performed in the cervical paraspinal muscles before and after the traction treatment.
The pain was relieved in 76 out of 96 cases (79.2%).
The blood flow in the affected muscles was significantly decreased as compared with the controls. However, it showed a significant increase following the treatment in patients whose pain was relieved. The mean frequency of the initial myoelectric signals as observed with the surface electrode on the affected muscles was significantly lower than the controls. It increased however following the traction treatment in the case in which the pain was relieved.
In conclusion, it may be stated that the cervical intermittent traction is effective in relieving pain, increasing the frequency of myoelectric signals and improving blood flow in affected muscles.