To appreciate and understand the effectiveness of neck traction you will want to have a basic understanding of the structure and mechanics of your spine followed by the different disorders that could be causing the pain or stiffness. This will be reviewed followed by information showing how neck traction works to see how effective it really is traction device for neck .

SPINAL STRUCTURE AND MECHANISM

Your cervical spine is basically a structure made up of a stack of bones and connective tissues. The bones are called vertebrae and in-between the vertebrae are connective tissue called intervertebral discs that act as a cushion to absorb shock and help allow your neck to bend.

Within the discs is a soft center filled with water and nutrients much like a jelly filled doughnut. As it moves it pumps water and nutrients in and out keeping it healthy and strong. These discs do not have a blood supply so that is why movement is important for nutrients and hydration. The cervical spine not only helps hold your head up straight, it allows you to bend and it houses a long spinal cord where all your nerves come from.

DIFFERENT SPINAL DISORDERS

Neck pain and radiating pain or neck stiffness can arise from different issues. This is why it's important to get a true diagnosis of what exactly is causing your discomforts. Typical spinal disorders treated by cervical traction can include herniated discs, Osteoarthritis, headaches, muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and nerve root compression.

Contraindications to neck traction or disorders that are aggravated by neck traction can include Osteomyelitis, acute injury, spinal instability, tumor, rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic injury, and spinal cord compression.

HOW NECK TRACTION WORKS

Neck traction basically works to separate the vertebrae in your cervical spine. Also, in some situations it is used to only stretch the muscles or ligaments that are tight in your neck. To achieve this neck traction must be done properly which basically means your body is in a completely relaxed state with all your muscles in your neck and your shoulders relaxed. It is also important that when your neck is being pulled the pressure is applied to a safe area and not to your jaw. This will prevent jaw problems down the road.

One of the most recommended neck traction devices by physiotherapists is the Saunders cervical traction device. With this you are lying down on your back and your head is angled just right for optimal separation of your vertebrae. This unit places pressure safely on the back of your head so that there is no injury to any jaw joints. As you slowly increase the strength the device first stretches soft tissue including the muscles and tendons and as you increasing intensity you begin to separate your vertebrae.

You can now understand that if you had muscle tightness for joint stiffness in your neck this device will stretch those muscles for you while you are completely relaxed. For someone with a herniated disc or nerve root compression strength between 20-40 lbs will separates the vertebrae so that less pressure is placed on the intervertebral disc. This allows the disc to be pulled back into place and if it was putting pressure on your nerve root it will relieve that pressure. In the case of Osteoarthritis neck traction can mobilize the vertebral facet joints and reduce pain.

When it comes playing it safe we now understand that neck traction will move your vertebrae and separates them so because of that it is not safe for certain conditions mentioned above. Osteomyelitis is an infection to the vertebrae and any type of movement in this situation could potentially spread the infection or cause the weakened bone to fracture. Any type of acute injury that has inflammation or bone fracture the mechanical nature of neck traction could aggravate these fresh injuries. Osteoporosis is another form of spinal instability where your vertebrae are weekend and therefore are prone to fracture. Any type of tumor should not be disrupted by cervical traction because it could damage the spinal cord. Metastatic tumors might spread to other parts of the body if aggravated.

Personally, in my situation where I had herniated disc pinching a nerve root I found neck traction was the last step I needed when all else failed to completely return my cervical spine back to health. I now have my range of motion back and I can live a pain-free life. Consult your physiotherapist and ask about cervical traction and if you are interested in getting your own home traction device the Saunders cervical traction is one I recommend to my friends and family.