Percentage of a patient's body weight that should be applied during mechanical traction is usually recommended to be no more than?

In mechanical traction therapy, the recommended percentage of a patient's body weight to be applied is typically no more than 25%. This is based on clinical guidelines and research that aim to ensure both efficacy and safety during treatment.

Traction is used to alleviate pain and improve spinal alignment by creating space between the vertebrae. When applying traction, it is crucial to apply a force that is significant enough to achieve therapeutic benefits without causing discomfort or injury to the patient. Using a percentage greater than 25% of body weight can increase the risk of muscle spasms, excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system, and discomfort, which might lead patients to resist treatment or have worse outcomes.

While some modalities or specific conditions might require different approaches, staying within the 25% guideline helps to maintain a balance between effectiveness and patient safety, making it the generally accepted threshold for mechanical traction therapy.