PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of traction on lower back pain. METHODS: a prospective study of 100 patients with lower back pain with straight leg raising test positive and with decrease in disc space on X-ray. RESULTS: 83.6% of the patients got relief. Patients who got relief were evaluated radiologically and clinically. CONCLUSION: We conclude that traction is cost effective and very effective method for relieving low back pain due to disc pathology and stable lumbar fractures.