Neck traction devices have been used by patients and professional practitioners for decades, perhaps longer! The concept really hasn’t changed that much, the idea is simply to stretch the tissues and joints of the neck to relieve pressure.
The cervical traction devices on the market today are much more comfortable, easier to use and more effective than their predecessors however.
Why Neck Traction Works?
Neck traction improves blood supply to neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Tight muscles can restrict blood flow thereby causing possible release of inflammatory chemicals, further causing irritation, tension and pain.
Neck traction promotes a healthy cervical spine by relieving pressure, and subsequently stiffness of the neck, head and shoulders. When a nerve in the neck becomes pinched or irritated the patient can experience headaches, severe neck pain and possible numbness or tingling in the arms.
Old Neck Traction Equipment Hurts!
Until relatively recently, neck traction devices have been cumbersome and very difficult to use properly. Many of the older devices employ a system of weights attached to the head in some manner. They use harnesses hung from a table or door that attach to the head whereby stretching the cervical spine. These devices are viewed by many today as being outdated, hard to use, and actually kind of dangerous.
Finally, a New Neck Traction Device That Provides Comfortable Stretch
Fortunately technology has rapidly improved neck traction devices. There are a wide range of products serving the specific needs of the patient. The use of these newer devices has increased exponentially, mainly due to their ease of use. These newer devices are more portable and user-friendly, and many of them can be worn while performing other minor tasks.
The new designs gently lengthen the neck muscles and separate the joints efficiently to promote rapid relief from the soreness and irritation of neck problems. Most of the newer products are fully adjustable and can either apply gentle traction to increase circulation or firmer traction to lower pressure between neck joints, whereby freeing pinched nerves and easing the pressure on herniated vertebral discs.
The devices that offer the most traction force typically require that the patient lay down, while those that provide less force can be worn while sitting or standing.
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