Clinical Tool

Hill DT Traction
Calculator

Automated pull weight protocol · Lumbar & Cervical

lbs
Body Weight
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Lumbar Start
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Lumbar Max
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Lumbar Angle
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Lumbar Duration
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Cervical Start
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Cervical Max
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Cervical Angle
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Cervical Duration
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Lumbar Protocol

L-Spine
Session / Phase % Body Weight Pull Force Angle Duration Hold / Relax Cycles Phase

Cervical Protocol

C-Spine
Session / Phase % Body Weight Pull Force Angle Duration Hold / Relax Cycles Phase

Lumbar Guidelines

  • Begin at 25–50% body weight; never exceed 65%
  • Increase 5–10 lbs per session as tolerated
  • Typical program: 15–24 sessions over 6–8 weeks
  • Intermittent mode: 60s pull / 30s relax recommended
  • Static mode used for acute herniations
  • Angle: 0° (supine) for general, 20° for L4–L5, 30° for L5–S1

Cervical Guidelines

  • Start at 7–10% body weight; max 20% BW
  • Increase 1–2 lbs per session as tolerated
  • Typical program: 12–20 sessions over 4–6 weeks
  • Intermittent: 30s pull / 10s relax for most cases
  • Angle: 15–25° flexion for disc, neutral for facet
  • Reassess at session 4–6 for tolerance

Session Structure

  • Cervical: 8 min (initial) up to 15 min (maintenance)
  • Lumbar: 10 min (initial) up to 20 min (maintenance)
  • Rest between cycles included in hold/relax ratio
  • First session: always start at lower end
  • No pain > 3/10 during treatment
  • Extend duration before increasing pull force

Contraindications

  • Fracture, dislocation, or instability
  • Spinal cord compression / myelopathy
  • Osteoporosis (severe), tumor, infection
  • Acute inflammatory arthritis, AA instability
  • Aortic aneurysm (abdominal — lumbar traction)
  • Pregnancy (caution), post-surgical fusion
Clinical Disclaimer: These values are calculated guidelines based on Hill DT protocol recommendations. Pull forces must be titrated to individual patient tolerance, diagnosis, and clinical presentation. Always conduct a thorough examination prior to initiating traction. Consult the Hill DT operator manual and applicable clinical guidelines for your jurisdiction.