Today, neck pain is one of the most common causes of absence from work in our society. There is no doubt that the way we live today does not give us much time to stretch, particularly when it comes to our spines. We often find ourselves sitting hunched over our computers all day or all evening. This causes problems with our spinal discs as a result of this compression.
With stretching, you will be able to heal in the case of a bulging disc because it can eliminate the compression caused by the disc. In order to achieve the greatest results, it is important to do cervical traction on a regular basis since this is a gradual process.
In this article, we are going to discuss cervical traction for neck pain, how a cervical traction device works, what are the benefits of a neck traction device, and what are the best cervical traction devices to help relieve neck pain at home.
What is a cervical traction?
Cervical traction is a treatment often used in physical therapy to treat different types and causes of neck pain, tension, tightness, and cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves). It is treating neck pain by lightly pulling on the head to create extra space between the cervical vertebrae. Some people refer to this as spine traction.
Cervical traction can be performed in a healthcare facility as well as in the house. This work is performed either by hand or by utilizing cervical-traction devices. It creates extra space around the vertebra to help reduce pressure and tension.
How does cervical traction work?
Strain is alleviated by removing the compression associated with the head’s weight. The force of further traction can separate joints that cause irritation to nerves. By reducing pressure and allowing vital nutrients to flow into the joints, traction can help relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and degenerative neck conditions. In the case of herniated discs, also called slipped discs, this is particularly evident.
Because discs lack a blood supply, they rely on motions for nutrients to ensure their function as shock absorbers in the cervical spine. As a result of gravity and poor neck posture habits such as forward head posture, the disc can bulge or protrude to the point where it can damage nerves or even the spinal cord. This can be reversed with neck traction, allowing the bulging or protruding disc to return to its proper place and absorb fluids to help maintain nerve protection and motion. Inflammation can also be reduced this way.
Stiff neck muscles may be relieved by traction. The effects of gravity, poor posture, and a lack of proper motion can shorten and constricted muscles. Consequently, blood flow decreases, and muscles become weaker, causing discs, joints, tendons, and other structures to take on functions usually done by muscles. The purpose of traction is to stretch the muscles, increase blood flow, and assist recovery, helping to restore smooth muscle function and tone.
Several studies have shown that intermittent cervical traction affects nerve root blood flow, improving conduction disturbances in the spinal cord.
What does cervical traction treat?
Cervical traction treats a lot of conditions that cause neck and back pain. Other than treating conditions that affect your vertebrae, it also treats problems with the nerves and muscles around your spine.
This neck traction can be used to treat conditions such as:
- cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
- fractured spine
- long-lasting muscle spasms
- neck sprains
- degenerative disc disease
- cervical spondylosis
- spinal stenosis
What are the benefits of cervical traction?
Cervical traction is a technique commonly used to treat cervical spine pain. This technique includes removing discs and bones on cervical backs (necks) gently. Cervical sprained spines can help with the degeneration of neck discs, herniations, or bulging discs. A cervical traction system will help lift your head away from your neck by opening up space between thoracic vertebrae to relieve pressure on nerve tissue.
So cervical traction of the spine may be an effective treatment to relieve neck discomfort. This is because cervical pulling helps to pull the head away from the head, causing contraction. This alternative method is believed to be an effective way to relieve a neck problem that prevents needing surgery. It’s ideally suited for physical rehabilitation as well as at home. Using a soft-tooth cervical traction device, the cervical vertebrae may be pulled out of their socket. It has high effectiveness but has fast-acting potential.
What are the types of cervical traction?
Cervical traction can be applied in many ways. Your physical therapist can give you the best option which includes manual cervical traction, mechanical cervical traction, and the over-the-door traction.
- Manual Cervical Traction – Your physical therapist performs this type of traction by holding your neck and head in their hands and gently pulling your neck. Each position is held for up to 10 seconds and is followed by rhythmic periods of pulling and resting. Your neck will usually be pulled in different positions or at different angles.
- Mechanical Cervical Traction – While lying on your back, a harness is attached to your head and neck to provide mechanical traction. The harness is attached to a cervical traction device that applies traction force to your neck, and the machine has a control panel that lets your physical therapist adjust the pressure.
- Over-the-door traction – Strapping a harness around your neck and head while sitting in a chair is a way to use this type of traction at home. Using weights, sandbags, or water bags attached to the opposite end of the rope, the harness is attached to a rope strung through a pulley system.
Can I do cervical traction at home?
Traction can be used at home and is most readily performed using an indoor cervical traction device found in numerous healthcare shops and wellness sites like reposepoint.com. If a physical therapist buys one, he/she can help teach you how to use it.
When you need the use of mechanical traction in physical therapy, a small mechanical cervical traction device for home use can mimic that of a medical facility. They are somewhat more expensive than over-the-door traction devices that can easily be accessed through doors.
What are the best home cervical traction devices?
Since neck pain is very common, there are many neck pain relief devices that are available on the market today. Here’s a list of the best home cervical traction devices that you can choose from that are highly recommended by medical professionals.
The first on the market that features heat therapy to stimulate blood circulation while relaxing and stretching the muscles.
It provides you with an in-home alternative treatment to expensive chiropractors and physical therapists.
Experience its benefits:
- Provides fixed hot traction to the neck and cervical spine
- Reduces swelling in cervical areas
- Decompresses and hydrates neck and upper back discs
- Relief from pressure on muscles, nerves, and minor fractures
- Stretches stiff neck muscles
- Promotes blood flow
- Reduces medication need
CloudCare revolutionizes how we treat neck pain by using the power of cervical traction combined with an innovative C-shaped form.
It helps to reverse neck damage and eliminate neck pain, TMJ, and tension headaches in just 10 minutes a day.
The CloudCare Neck and Shoulder Relaxer is designed to help with:
- Alleviate Chronic Neck Pain
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Maintain a Healthy Posture
- TMJ Headaches
- Cervical Spondylosis
- Pinched Nerve
- Relieve Tension Headaches
- Herniated Discs
Stop living in discomfort from neck pain and start living life again pain-free with TraxCare, an indispensable tool to get rid of neck pain at home.
With dynamic neck traction, the spine is stretched in all directions, reducing pain, and muscle spasms and releasing tension. The device offers external electrode pads and 4 automatic modes that can be customized according to your needs.
Experience fast results with long-term benefits:
- Restore the natural curvature of the neck
- Increased oxygen-rich blood flow
- Better pain management
- Increased neck flexibility and mobility
- Enhanced spine alignment
- Save money on professional treatment
- Reduced prescription drugs intake for pain relief