Auto-Traction for Treatment of Lumbago-Sciatica:A Multicentre Controlled Investigation

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Abstract
Autotraction for the treatment of lumbago-sciatica was examined. Patients [82] were randomly allocated to treatment with Autotraction for up to 3 1 h sessions in 1 wk, or were given a corset and advised to rest. The orthopedic surgeons participating all had limited experience of the Autotraction method obtained during a 1 wk course. All patients were clinically evaluated by an independent observer who performed follow-up examinations 1 and 3 wk after the treatment sessions. A 3 mo. follow-up was performed by letter. The Autotraction method gave prompt relief of pain and a normalizing of the SLR [straight leg raising] test more often than treatment with only a corset and rest. The difference between the 2 treatment groups was statistically significant. The immediate difference noted between the treatment groups had decreased slightly at 3 wk but was still statistically significant at this time.