Neck Traction: Relieving Pain and Improving Neck Health
Neck traction, also known as cervical traction, has been used for years to address neck pain. This effective technique aims to alleviate cervical pain and similar injuries by relieving pressure and reducing tension in the neck.
While traditionally used for treating neck pain, it can also help avoid the need for medications or surgeries. You can undergo cervical traction during physical therapy sessions or even perform it at home using a cervical traction device. These devices are specifically designed to target neck muscles and release tension in the vertebral tendons. They are known for their efficiency and quick results.
In this article, we will explore the use of neck traction devices at home, their benefits, potential risks, and introduce some of the best home traction devices available in the market today.
Understanding Neck Traction Traction typically involves applying a pulling force to treat bone or muscle injuries. It has long been used to address orthopedic and physiological issues affecting the neck, shoulders, and hips.
Neck Traction at Home: Risks, Benefits, and Best Home Traction Device in the Market! The concept of traction revolves around using opposing forces to create balance. It often involves pulling in one direction while countering the force with a bed or bodyweight in the opposite direction. However, excessive pressure can cause harm.
Benefits of Neck Traction Engaging in cervical traction can be both easy and beneficial, especially if it proves effective for you. Many individuals who undergo cervical traction experience immediate relief from neck pain after just a few treatments.
The most common benefits reported include:
- Improved pain relief
- Relaxed neck muscles and reduced stiffness
- Increased flexibility of the cervical spine muscles
In addition to stretching and other physical therapy exercises, cervical traction has been found to improve range of motion in some individuals. However, results may vary.
Other Benefits of Neck Traction: Pain Relief Neck traction helps alleviate pain and reduces stress on the nerves. By improving blood circulation to the cervical spine and the surrounding muscles, a new neck stretcher can enhance oxygenation of the nerves, muscle tendons, and muscles. This can increase energy levels, reduce pain, and promote relaxation by alleviating nerve congestion. Arteries responsible for restricting blood flow and causing pain and inflammation release inflammatory chemicals, which can be mitigated through neck traction.
Traction for Cervical Spine Rehabilitation Cervical traction can be used to alleviate pain from tight muscles and provide relief from chronic conditions and injuries. With the advent of collar-type traction devices, exercises can be easily performed alongside traction. These devices utilize an inflated padded cylinder and resistance workouts to improve muscle strength, which is a key rehabilitation goal. Radiculopathy, characterized by the irritation of lumbar nerves, can result in neck muscle pain, arm weakness, or even arm weakness.
Neck Traction at Home: Risks, Benefits, and Best Home Traction Device! A five-day intensive traction protocol was found to benefit patients with cervical radiculopathy in terms of reducing disability, pain intensity, and medication usage. The study also suggests that an intensive protocol may reduce sick leave duration and associated costs related to cervical radiculopathy.
Traction for Restoring Proper Cervical Curve Restoring the correct cervical curve can help alleviate neck and shoulder pain. Losing this curve can be detrimental, often resulting from poor neck posture, such as constantly tilting the head downward or maintaining a military neck posture.
Recent studies have shown that the loss of the cervical curve can accelerate disc degeneration. The purpose of using a neck traction device is to restore the natural curvature of the neck and prevent degeneration.
Risks of Neck Traction Cervical traction poses very few risks, as long as excessive pressure is avoided. It is crucial never to exert too much force on your neck during traction. Individuals who should avoid cervical traction include:
- Pregnant individuals
- Those who have a fear of being restrained or experience claustrophobia
- Individuals who have previously undergone cervical fusion surgery
If you have any health conditions that weaken your bones or affect your spinal cord, such as aneurysms, osteoporosis, osteomyelitis, spinal cord tumors, myelopathy, or untreated hypertension, it is essential to consult your healthcare provider before starting cervical traction. When using an at-home cervical traction device for the first time, carefully follow all instructions and safety warnings provided.
It is worth noting that the long-term benefits of cervical traction have yet to be extensively studied. Therefore, even if you experience long-lasting relief from pain and other symptoms, they may potentially return in the future.
Using Neck Traction at Home When using a neck traction device, some individuals may experience temporary discomfort, although this is unlikely to be a common occurrence. Improvement in the cervical curve can typically be observed within approximately six months. However, the extent of correction may vary depending on individual conditions. Complete correction may not always be necessary to alleviate pain. The effectiveness of neck traction is dependent on the current condition of your neck.
Neck Traction: An Effective Therapy for Neck Problems Utilizing at-home neck traction equipment helps relieve stress and promote adequate blood supply and nerve activity. Nerve tissue can become compressed, leading to symptoms like neck pain or tingling in the arms. By decompressing sensitive nerve tissue, neck traction provides relief. Sit or lie down on the floor to use this equipment.
Comfortable and Effective Neck Traction Devices For many years, neck stretching devices were used to alleviate pain, reduce tension, and improve blood flow in muscles and blood vessels. However, these products were often expensive and challenging to use. Many cervical traction devices relied on weights attached to the head, exerting significant pressure on the jaw. Some used harnesses and weights placed on the edges of tables or pulleys tied to doors using strings and water bags.
These traditional cervical traction devices could be intimidating for the average person, potentially turning a relaxing experience into a traumatic one. Fortunately, advancements in technology have led to the development of more user-friendly and comfortable home traction devices.
Here are some safe and effective neck traction devices for home use:
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Neck Brace Support Experience long-lasting relief from cervical pain, fatigue, and strain with our Neck Brace Support. This device features three dynamic traction modes and six built-in air columns that generate an arc-shaped traction force. It effectively opens the cervical vertebrae, stretches the neck, and promotes cervical health. Experience relief from neck pain in as little as 15 minutes.
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Cervical Neck Traction Our Cervical Neck Traction utilizes wireless inflatable technology to provide long-lasting relief from neck pain. This device features wireless inflation and one-key pressure relief for stable and effective traction. It provides 360-degree protection for the natural curvature of the neck, reduces neck and spinal pressure, and restores cervical vitality.
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Cervical Collar Traction with Heat Improve your cervical health with our Cervical Collar Traction Brace with Heat. This device incorporates eight built-in air columns that open up the cervical vertebrae, stretch the neck muscles, align the vertebral discs, and alleviate pain. The added heated pad relaxes the muscles and stimulates blood flow for a comfortable and painless experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can you perform neck traction on yourself?
A: Cervical traction, also known as spinal traction, can be effectively performed by gently stretching your head to create space between your neck and cervical vertebrae. Cervical traction can be administered by a healthcare professional or even by yourself at home using the appropriate devices.
Q: Can you do neck traction every day?
A: It is generally recommended to perform neck traction for 15 to 30 minutes every other day or two to three times a week. If you experience increased discomfort during traction, it is advisable to discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional before resuming.
Q: How long does it take for neck traction to work?
A: Cervical traction is usually performed at least once every two days for up to 30 minutes. The duration of cervical traction can vary, but it typically takes around 15 minutes per session. Although anecdotal evidence suggests the efficacy and safety of cervical traction, more research is needed to establish its long-term benefits.
Q: Is traction beneficial for the neck?
A: Neck traction helps create additional space between vertebrae and alleviates pressure on the spine. This treatment provides relief from various ailments and disorders associated with neck pain.
Please note that if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting neck traction. Adhere to all instructions and safety guidelines provided with the at-home traction device.