Ultrasound & Traction Parameters | Practical 1

When performing cervical OR lumbar traction, what are the 4 goals of treatment?

1. Initial/acute

2. Joint distraction

3. Decreased muscle spasm

4. Disc problems or stretch of soft tissue

For both cervical AND lumbar traction, what are the hold/relax times for each of the 4 goals of treatment?

1. Initial/acute = static

2. Joint distraction = 15/15

3. Decreased muscle spasm = 5/5

4. Disc problems or stretch of soft tissue = 60/20

For both cervical AND lumbar traction, what are the total treatment times for each of the 4 goals of treatment?

1. Initial/acute = 5-10 min

2. Joint distraction = 20-30 min

3. Decreased muscle spasm = 20-30 min

4. Disc problems or stretch of soft tissue = 20-30 min

How much total traction force is typical for initial/acute phase during cervical traction?

7-9 lbs (because the normal human head weighs 10-14 lbs)

How much total traction force is typical for joint distraction during cervical traction?

20-29 lbs OR 7% of pt’s body weight

*Scorebuilders says 13-20% of a pt’s body weight

How much total traction force is typical for decreased muscle spasm during cervical traction?

11-15 lbs

*Scorebuilders also says 7-10% of pt’s bodyweight

How much total traction force is typical for disc problems or stretch of soft tissue during cervical traction?

11-15 lbs

*Scorebuilders also says 7-10% of pt’s bodyweight

What are the parameters for cervical traction w/ an initial/acute phase treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 7-9 lbs

2. static

3. 5-10 minutes

What are the parameters for cervical traction w/ a joint distraction treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 20-29 lbs OR 7% of pt’s bodyweight (13-20% according to Scorebuilders)

2. 15/15 seconds

3. 20-30 minutes

What are the parameters for cervical traction w/ a decreased muscle spasm treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 11-15 lbs (7-10% of bodyweight according to Scorebuilders)

2. 5/5 seconds

3. 20-30 minutes

What are the parameters for cervical traction w/ a disc problems or stretching soft tissue treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 11-15 lbs (7-10% of bodyweight according to Scorebuilders)

2. 60/20 seconds

3. 20-30 minutes

How much total traction force is typical for initial/acute phase during lumbar traction?

29-44 lbs; 25% of body weight

How much total traction force is typical for joint distraction during lumbar traction?

50 lbs; 25-50% of body weight

*Goal is to reach 50%

How much total traction force is typical for decreased muscle spasm during lumbar traction?

25% of body weight

How much total traction force is typical for disc problems or stretch of soft tissue during lumbar traction?

25% of body weight

What are the parameters for lumbar traction w/ an initial/acute phase treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 29-44 lbs; 25% of body weight

2. static

3. 5-10 min

What are the parameters for lumbar traction w joint distraction treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 50 lbs; 25-50% of body weight

2. 15/15 sec

3. 20-30 min

What are the parameters for lumbar traction w/ muscle spasm treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 25% of body weight

2. 5/5 sec

3. 20-30 min

What are the parameters for lumbar traction w/ disc protrusion or stretch of soft tissue treatment?

Total force? Hold/Relax time? Total traction time?

1. 25% of body weight

2. 60/20 sec

3. 20-30 min

What are the 2 frequencies for ultrasound & when would you use them?

1. 1 MHz = DEEP tissues (2-5 cm deep)

2. 3 MHz = SUPERFICIAL tissues (1-2 cm deep)

What are the 2 main duty cycles for ultrasound (name & percentage) & when would you use them?

1. Pulsed = acute, non-thermal effects

   1. accelerates body’s natural healing process; increases cell membrane permeability; promotes the function of various types of cells; good for inflammatory phase of tissue repair

      1. 20%, 25%, 33%, 50%

2. Continuous = chronic, thermal effects

   1. heating deep tissue, increase tissue extensibility; working with/ tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, fascia

      1. 100%

What are the intensity ranges when performing ultrasound for acute pain? What about chronic pain?

• Acute = 0.3 - 1.0 W/cm²

• Chronic = 0.5 - 2.0 W/cm²