What Are Uses Of Cervical Traction?

Cervical traction has many medical applications. It helps lower compression in the neck, which removes pressure of discs that reside among the spinal bones (vertebrae) of the neck. It can also throw open the area where nerves exit from spinal canal to help relieve pressure from a compressed nerve. Cervical traction can also stretch joint and muscle structures around the neck.

Cervical traction can benefit the following conditions and more:

·         Neck arthritis

·         Bulging or herniated discs in neck

·         Cervical muscle spasms

·         Neck strains

There are different types of cervical traction based on mode of use. The best cervical traction device depends on your need:

·      Manual cervical traction: This type of traction is used manually by the physiotherapist, who holds the head and neck in his hand and applies a pulling force or traction to the neck. He applies rhythmic sessions of pulling and resting, holding each position for ten seconds.

·       Mechanical cervical traction: This traction involves the head and neck being attached to a harness, while patient is in lying down position. The harness is connected to a machine providing traction force. The machine has a control panel with which the Physiotherapist can monitor quantum of force applied.

·    Over the Door Traction: This traction device can be best used at home. It involves strapping a harness to your neck and head, while being seated on a chair. The harness is connected to a rope that is attached to a pulley system on a door. Weights are used to apply traction force like a water bag or sand bag, loaded at the opposite end of the rope.

Generally experts recommend applying a force of around 20 pounds while starting the traction. This traction force must be maintained for 10 to 20 seconds after which it must be released gently. One can increase traction to 30-50 pounds but rhythmic use must break for 10 to 20 seconds.

One can apply traction several times in a day. It is best to consult a qualified professional like a physiotherapist to discuss modalities of the cervical traction plan for you. If you experience aggravation of symptoms like pain, you must inform your doctor, immediately.

Cervical traction: Is it the perfect solution to treat neck pain that is occupational related?

It is a well known fact that neck pain is actually not any disease or for that matter result of other diseases. Rather, medical experts have termed neck pain to be more of a condition that persists in the human body, because of aging as well as other factors. The common problem that has been witnessed in majority of the people is premature neck pain. Almost every person is likely to experience severe pain in the neck at some point of time in his life. Fortunately, there are present varieties of healthcare options to select from, so as to get immediate and long time relief from it. Some of the major causes for premature neck pain to take place are due to continued bad posture being used at school or work or because of improper sleeping positions. Whatever be it, the pain could be severe and unbearable at times, prompting the person to visit a good occupational therapist, who might suggest him to avail the best cervical traction device available in the market. 

Availing a good product

 

The fact is that the market is full of variety of cervical pillows, which has been designed for such people who would like to have their neck pain to be eliminated permanently because of improper sleeping positions. But for neck pain due to improper posture when working, very few solutions are said to exist. Since people these days, are more or less tied up to their computers for a longer portion of their working schedule, they have almost become victims to getting neck pains at a very early age. Using the cervical traction device in such a case can definitely offer quick relief. 

Knowing the differences between cervical pillows and cervical devices

 

The pillow is quite popular among people looking for remedies to take care of their neck while sleeping as well as to promote a better sleeping position. But such pillows might not work for providing relief to occupational related pain in the neck. This is where cervical traction devices comes to the picture, with some being designed in a manner to make the person to feel that he is not wearing it.