Prone Lumbar Traction: An Underexplored Alternative for Lumbar Radiculopathy and Discogenic Low Back pain

Lumbar disc disorders and herniation are leading causes of discogenic low back pain (DLBP) and lumbar radiculopathy, often resulting in spinal surgery. Lumbar traction is an effective conservative treatment for DLBP, shown to decrease pain, improve functional disability, and positively affect disc height and herniation index. While typically applied in the supine position, lumbar traction can also be administered prone. However, many practitioners are unaware of this alternative approach. Studies have demonstrated that prone lumbar traction can effectively alleviate pain and disability in persons with DLBP, lumbar disc herniation, and radiculopathy. Some research suggests it may be more effective than supine traction for certain subgroups. Despite these promising findings, additional research is needed to further explore the clinical and biomechanical effects of prone traction. Additionally, it is important to identify which patient subgroups are more likely to benefit from prone versus supine traction. This review explores the potential of prone lumbar traction as an underutilized yet promising alternative in the management of DLBP and lumbar radiculopathy.