High Versus Low Level of Lumbar Traction in Acute Lumbar Sciatica Due to Disc Herniation

Inclusion Criteria: * less than 6-week lumbar sciatica secondary to disc herniation, confirmed by pain radiating down the leg along the distribution of the sciatic nerve together with positive straight leg raising test (SLRT) Exclusion Criteria: * symptoms persisting for more than 6 weeks * signs of clinical neurological deficit * lumbar sciatica not caused by disc herniation * presence of lumbar tomodensitometry abnormalities * Subjects younger than 18 * pregnant women * patients on medical leave for more than 3 weeks at inclusion * patients with history of lumbar surgery * patients who already had lumbar traction therapy