Traction Pulley Method
There are three ways in which this traction may be done. The first is the simplest and requires but little appa¬ratus, which can be easily put up by anyone. It consists merely of a loop or pair of loops, preferably of leather, nailed or otherwise firmly secured to the floor, a pulley overhead, through which runs a rope having a knot at one end and a double loop large enough for the head on the other end. A series of knots may be arranged on the free end of the rope if desired. The double loop may be made of soft leather, sheeting or toweling. One of these loops is placed at the back of the head, the other under the chin, the attachment to the rope being at the top of the head. When these loops are adjusted to the head, the feet are placed in the floor-loops, and the individual pulls upon the free end of the rope. This causes traction, through the pulley, upon the loop end of the rope and stretches the entire spine, as well as the ligaments of the hips pelvies, and the lower extrem ities. Or, if desired, one may omit the foot-loops, in which case the pull upon the rope may be sufficient to raise the bod}’ from the floor.
This, however, would not be advisable for one who had poorly developed neck muscles and ligaments. Again, the upper loops may be placed under the armpits instead of about the head and chin, in case one does not wish to place trac¬tion upon the neck, though if properly done and not overdone, the neck traction is a most valu¬able part of the treatment. One may pull the spine fairly taut, then sway from side to side, and forward and backward, with ex¬cellent effect. A more simple but less effective method of se¬curing traction on the spine is by merely hanging relaxed while grasping an overhead bar.