CurrentPT, Physical therapist
Traction
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At a glance
- DC, ChiropractorChiropractorWithin scopeTraction is a common chiropractic procedure and some chiropractic laws name it, though many describe it only through general terms such as mechanical measures.
- PT, Physical therapistPhysical therapistWithin scopeMechanical and manual traction are part of physical therapist practice, appearing on the licensure exam and in state definitions of physical therapy.
- PTA, Physical therapist assistantPhysical therapist assistantNot yet covered
- OT, Occupational therapistOccupational therapistVaries by stateOccupational therapists may use mechanical traction in some states, often after added modality training, while many OT laws do not mention mechanical modalities at all.
- OTA, Occupational therapy assistantOccupational therapy assistantNot yet covered
- AT, Athletic trainerAthletic trainerVaries by stateSome athletic training laws name traction devices or mechanical modalities, while others list modalities without them, so it depends on the state.
- LMT, Massage therapistMassage therapistNot typicalMassage laws that mention traction exclude it, as Idaho and Montana do, and none we read include it; gentle stretching within normal range is treated separately.
- CSCS, Strength and conditioning specialistStrength and conditioning specialistNot yet covered
- CPT, Personal trainerPersonal trainerNot yet covered
What it is
Gently pulling the neck, back or a limb to stretch it along its length, either with the clinician's hands or with a machine. It is mostly used for neck and low back pain, especially pain that spreads into an arm or leg.
Names across professions
| Profession | Term in practice acts | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist | Mechanical traction | Listed among mechanical modalities on the physical therapy licensure exam |
| Chiropractor | Traction | Named in Washington's chiropractic law as a physiological therapeutic procedure |
| Across professions | Intermittent cervical traction | The neck form the APTA neck pain guideline recommends for radiating pain |
| Across professions | Manual traction | Applied by the clinician's hands rather than a device |
What the bodies say
Check your state
Find your licensing board
Get licensed links to the board for each profession in each state, so you can read its rules or ask it directly.
Go to Get licensedState-by-state detail
This topic varies enough between states to warrant a state table, with the statute and board for each cell.
Research
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