Neck traction devices are used to relieve the pain brought about by spasms of the neck muscles or compression of the nerve roots. There is traction when there is an application of force on a body part to decrease the spasms through soft tissue stretching. Traction is utilized to separate the bony surfaces or joint surfaces.
Read on and find out more facts about neck traction devices that could help you with your constant neck pain complaint:
1. Indications
The purpose of neck traction devices is to relieve the pain in patients who have disc bulge, disc herniation, neck tightness, neck arthritis, chronic neck pain, neck muscle spasm, numbness of hands and arms, and shooting or stabbing pain (upper extremity). If you suspect that you are experiencing any one of these conditions, better see your doctor immediately for proper interventions.
2. Treatments
It could also be a final resort is the patient has already tried exercises, heat/ice therapy, and medications but nothing worked. You can combine the use of neck traction devices with exercise combinations and heat and ice treatments. About ten to fifteen minute of neck stretching could do a  lot to relieve the pain.
3. Features
With today’s technological advances in the field of medicine, neck traction devices were made to have specialized features for the patients who need them. They are of high quality; they’re designed to fit your body; they are light weight, self-controlled, and thin; they can provide up to more than 75 pounds of traction; they can just be pumped with air; they can be worn while ypu undergo CT scan, X-ray, or MRI; they have bio-magnetic therapy; they are user-friendly; and they are very supportive of the back and neck.
4. Air traction/neck massager
The so-called neck massager is also a variation of neck traction devices. This can be beneficial for patients with neck or upper back pain, aging people, those recovering from a neck injury, those with a buildup of pressure in the shoulders and neck, those who do not exercise often, those who work in the office, and those who use the computer all the time. It is common already for you to have a pinched nerve in the neck. When the pain is aggravated, it is very debilitating. But the good news is that with neck traction devices, you can really have a go in treating your neck pain. For years, neck traction devices have already proven effective when it comes to treating neck pain. So go ahead and try it.
5. Some of the devices
Studies have shown that traction of the neck must be done constantly so that the strain could fall on the joints and the neck muscles could tire. It usually takes only about two minutes of using neck traction devices and the intervertebral spaces will widen already. About 20 to 50 pounds are used to attain the separation of the vertebrae. Some of the frequently used neck traction devices are overhead neck traction, neck traction cushion, cervical home traction deluxe, and the pneumatic cervical traction unit.
- The over-the-door or overhead neck traction is the original neck traction design. It has a pulley support placed above the door that has weights attached to it. They can be weights or water bags that vary in heaviness and lightness. With this neck traction device is a head harness and helmet that is necessary to wear with weights over your head. The over-the-door traction is not recommended for those with TMJ dysfunction or pain.
- Next is the neck traction cushion that has a weight system and hot/cold modalities. This is technically a cushion that is used for neck traction. You just lay face up on the cushion and  your head’s weight becomes the traction system. This helps relieve the neck pain and tension headaches by gradually stretching the anterior neck muscles and the upper chest. Use this for about twenty to thirty minutes everyday as instructed by your healthcare provider. You should not use the cushion for sleeping.
- The cervical home traction deluxe is a neck traction device with 50 pounds of pull at most. You can just use this at home and you don’t need to have it assembled. This can be used at home with just a flexion of about fifteen to twenty five degrees. This is often used in a physical therapist’s rehabilitation office, an osteopath’s office, or a chiropractor’s office.
- Lastly, there is the pneumatic cervical traction unit that is known to be the gold standard of the neck traction devices. This device can be used by those who suffer from TMJ dysfunctions and diseases. This doesn’t require the patient to wear straps around the neck.
Ask your doctor about neck traction devices so that you can be guided in the purchase and use of any of them that are available in the market today.