Christopher Silveri MD

Christopher P. Silveri, M.D.FAAOS

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon : Spine View Profile
  • Dr. Silveri, at Fair Oaks Hospital, performed the hospital's first robotic spine surgery

  • I would like to express my sincere appreciation for keeping me up and running. By - Martha Howar

  • After suffering back pain for over 50 years the pain it became unbearable. By - Bob Vandel

  • Dr Silveri performed the first case using the O-Arm 3-D Imaging at Fair Oaks Hospital. Exciting New Technology

  • Thanks for the GREAT WORK! Double Fusion Feb 4, 2003 MARATHON October 30, 2005 By - Tim Bergen

  • Ballroom Dancer Fully Recovers from Back Surgery,A Laminectomy and Three Vertebra Fusion By - Tom Woll

  • Thanks Dr. Silveri.

  • Washingtonian Top Doctor 2023

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Cervical/Lumbar Traction

Cervical/lumbar traction is a therapy that stretches the spine to relieve pressure on compressed nerves and stretch tight muscles, to treat back and neck pain. It may also be used for realigning the spine in cases of dislocation. Traction may be performed manually or mechanically (with the use of weights and pulleys).

Excessive pressure on the spine from injury or stress may cause discs present between the vertebrae to herniate. Nerves exiting and entering the spine may become compressed by these herniated discs. Traction or spinal decompression therapy separates the vertebrae, reducing pressure, which may reverse disc herniation, facilitate uptake of healing nutrients into the disc, stretch muscles that have tightened because of spasm, and realign the spine. It is helpful for treating painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, herniated discs, bone spurs, sciatica, pinched nerves and degenerative disc disease.

During cervical (neck) spine traction, steady or intermittent force is applied to the neck manually or mechanically. The manner of traction, how much force is used, and how long you should remain in traction, depends on your condition.

During lumbar (lower back) spine traction, you lie on a motorized table. A harness is fastened around your hips. The upper half of the table is fixed, while the lower half of the table slides back and forth producing traction.

Traction may include 15-30 sessions, spread over a 4-6-week period.

Traction is not recommended when the structure of the spine is compromised such as in osteoporosis, tumors or cervical rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Penn Medicine
  • American  Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  •  American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • North American Spine Society
  • Georgetown University