Managing Neck Pain: The Benefits of a Traction Device

Can using a self-care traction device help and be a cost-effective method of providing cervical relief at home for individuals who have neck pain?

Neck Pain Traction Device

Neck Pain Traction Device: Individuals with neck or arm pain caused by neck/cervical radiculopathy may benefit from physical therapy to manage their condition. (Alshami, A. M., and Bamhair, D. A. 2021) Physical therapy can improve neck mobility, restore function, and decrease pain.

Traction

A physical therapist may use various treatments and modalities to treat the individual’s condition. Cervical traction is one treatment to help relieve neck pain and can help:

• Stretch the muscles and soft tissues in the neck.
• Separate and open up the disc and joint spaces.
• Decrease pain in the neck and arms by relieving pressure on nerves from the cervical spine. (Madson, T. J., and Hollman, J. H. 2017)

There are different neck traction techniques. The therapist may use a mechanical traction device that requires the individual to strap their head and neck to a machine that gently pulls the neck, providing relief. (Romeo, A. et al., 2018) The physical therapist may also use manual traction with their hands to help the process. This type allows the therapist to easily adjust the amount of traction force and the direction of the pull on the neck. (Romeo, A. et al., 2018)

Home Traction Devices

Cervical traction that works for individuals at the clinic may also benefit from using a traction device at home to maintain their gains. Over-the-door cervical traction may be an effective, safe, and simple way to administer neck traction in the comfort of one’s home to help decrease pain. (Fritz, J. M. et al., 2014) Medical supply stores and pharmacies carry over-the-door traction devices, which can also be found online. If finding an over-the-door traction unit is difficult, the therapy clinic can help order one from a medical supplier.

Setting Up The Device

Before using a neck pain traction device, consult a physical therapist or doctor to ensure neck traction is safe and on usage. Over-the-door traction units may be built differently but comprise the main parts:

• A hook-and-pulley apparatus that hangs over the door.
• A nylon cord that’s fed through the pulley.
• A weight that could be a water bag that hangs on the end of the cord to provide traction force.
• A harness to wear on your head.

1. The traction unit must be hung over a door secured to the top and closed.
2. It is recommended that the door be a closet door so no one will open it while using the device.
3. If a closet door is not available, be sure to lock the door so that no one can open it while attached to the device.
4. A small hook with a pulley attached to it hangs on the door.
5. The harness attaches to the end of the nylon cord opposite the weighted water bag.
6. The harness goes on the head, and the chin strap should fit snugly under the chin and be secured by the hook-and-loop fasteners.
7. The two straps on either side of your head should be hooked to the end of the nylon cord, which is fed through the pulley system.
8. After strapping on the head harness, fill the water bag using the markings on the bag to indicate its weight and hang it on one end of the cord.
9. Fill the bag until the water reaches the desired mark, usually 8–15 pounds.
10. After filling the water bag, sit in a chair facing the door and hang the bag on the other end of the cord not attached to the head harness.
11. Do not drop the bag; this could cause a sudden forceful traction motion on your neck.

How Long to Use

Individuals should generally use the traction device for about 15 to 20 minutes each session and can perform several sessions per day. (American Physical Therapy Association. 2020) While using the over-the-door traction device, there should be a gentle pulling sensation in the neck, relieving the neck pain, and if there is arm pain or tingling, it should also decrease. Traction does not replace neck exercises or postural correction in treating neck pain. Be sure to follow the therapist’s prescribed exercises. Active engagement is essential to treating and preventing neck pain from returning. If the pain increases while using the traction device, stop using it and consult a physical therapist or doctor. Ask a physical therapist or other neuromusculoskeletal medical professional if self-care traction is appropriate for specific conditions.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution that helps individuals return to normal. Our providers create personalized care plans for each patient, including Functional Medicine, Acupuncture, Electro-Acupuncture, and Sports Medicine principles through an integrated approach to treat injuries and chronic pain syndromes to improve ability through flexibility, mobility, and agility programs to relieve pain. If other treatment is needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers to provide the most effective treatments.

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Neck Injuries

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References

Alshami, A. M., & Bamhair, D. A. (2021). Effect of manual therapy with exercise in patients with chronic cervical radiculopathy: a randomized clinical trial. Trials, 22(1), 716. doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05690-y

Madson, T. J., & Hollman, J. H. (2017). Cervical Traction for Managing Neck Pain: A Survey of Physical Therapists in the United States. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 47(3), 200–208. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.6914

Romeo, A., Vanti, C., Boldrini, V., Ruggeri, M., Guccione, A. A., Pillastrini, P., & Bertozzi, L. (2018). Cervical Radiculopathy: Effectiveness of Adding Traction to Physical Therapy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Physical therapy, 98(4), 231–242. doi.org/10.1093/physth/pzy001

Fritz, J. M., Thackeray, A., Brennan, G. P., & Childs, J. D. (2014). Exercise only, exercise with mechanical traction, or exercise with over-door traction for patients with cervical radiculopathy, with or without consideration of status on a previously described subgrouping rule: a randomized clinical trial. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 44(2), 45–57. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2014.5065

American Physical Therapy Association. (2020). Physical therapy guide to cervical radiculopathy. www.choosept.com/guide/physical-therapy-guide-cervical-radiculopathy