Traction is when they stretch your spine, usually by pulling on your head. It helps me temporarily, it really help to alleviate the pressure on my disks. Some say it can help heal a herniated disk, but it didn't help with mine.
Here is a more technical explanation of what it does: http://www.spinalaid.com/decomanim.htm
Pain meds help to mask the pain, but it won't fix it. Are you on pain meds now? Are you asking if taking pain meds while going doing physical therapy helps the pt work better?
Post Edited (03Mach) : 4/16/2008 7:15:15 AM (GMT-6)