One such treatment is cervical traction.
What Does Cervical Traction Do?
Cervical traction can be used for a variety of purposes.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
Contraindications
Cervical spinal traction is not right for everyone.
A 2017 meta-analysis published in the journalSpineexamined seven different cervical traction studies.
The researchers concluded that neck traction can possibly offer short-term neck pain relief.
How is Cervical Traction Applied?
Cervical traction can be applied in many different ways.
Your PT can help you determine the best one.
In this position, eight to 10 pounds is often recommended.
The force should be held for 10 to 20 seconds, and then slowly released.
Traction can be applied several times throughout the day.
If your symptoms worsen at any time during your treatment, notify your physical therapist immediately.
Can I Do Cervical Traction at Home?
You may injure your neck or worsen your condition if the correct software of traction is not performed.
A Word From Verywell
If you have neck pain, fear not.
Most cases of cervical or neck pain resolve with a short course of physical therapy.
He or she can help determine the cause of your pain and prescribe the correct treatment for your condition.
Your physical therapy program for neck pain should include active treatments likeneck exercisesandpostural correctionto help your condition.
Yes, but it doesnt work for everyone.
Research shows many people experience short-term pain relief after cervical traction.
Its long-term benefits are unclear.
Provided you don’t have a contraindicated condition, cervical traction is usually safe.
While rare, traction-induced spinal cord compromise may occur.
Cervical traction can be done at home, under the advice and guidance of your healthcare provider.
Your physical therapist can order a cervical traction unit that attaches to a door frame.
However, do not use a cervical traction unit at home until you are properly trained to use it.
ScienceDirect.Cervical Traction: Physical Modalities.
U.S. National Library of Medicine, StatPearls.Cervical Traction.
2019;18(2):127130. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2018.11.006
