Additional Studies with our Home Neck Traction Device

With no device applied there is a minimal neck curve. There is a kyphotic buckle with stair-stepping and disc compression in the mid neck region.

The same patient with a rolled towel (passive device) applied shows a significant indentation (short blue arrow) but offers no relief from altered neck curve, stair-stepping or disc compression. There is a disc protrusion into the subarachnoid space at C5/6 (long blue arrow).

The same patient using the home neck traction. Note the neck curve has been restored, stair-stepping eliminated and the C5/6 disc protrusion is no longer visible. There is also dramatic disc expansion: over 50% at C5/6, over 40% at C4/5 and over 25% at C3/4.

One of my patients is a 49 year-old custom cabinetmaker who had developed a vague, numb feeling on the back of his right hand over a period of about six months. An MRI of the neck revealed bulging discs in the neck from C3 to C6. A Nerve Conduction Velocity test confirmed suspicions that mechanical blockages in the neck were interfering with electrical flow to the hand. At the same time he mentioned his neck was getting stiffer and stiffer while his upper body posture slouched more and more. After consulting an orthopedist and a neurosurgeon (whom agreed this case did not require an operation) he began daily home neck traction training. Within a couple of weeks he could tell that something was happening. Within 90 days he could feel the tips of his fingers again. Retesting the spine with MRI indicated that all four disc bulges in the neck had definitely been reduced! The second NCV indicated significant improvement as well.
Dr. DM, D.C.; Holland, PA

Pre (left) - C. Colby, age 35 with a 13 degree or 131% lordotic reversal (from a 42 degree norm) at C-4/C-5 disc space (see arrow). Note how the C-5 and C-6 vertebrae are deforming to accept the increased load they must now shoulder. Further examine the collapse in disc space at C-4/C-5 (outlined) and C-5/C-6. This is the beginning of the "melted candle appearance" and "years of misery."

Post (right) - C. Colby has reversed his kyphotic buckle and molded a 22 degree lordotic curve. This is a 35 degree or 83% improvement in just 20-min! (we're shooting for a 5 degree or 131% change to a 42 degree norm) Note again the offending C-4/C-5 disc space (outlined). It has hydrated or expanded approximately 40%. Now, look closely where the stress lines drawn at the posterior vertebral bodies cross (arrow). Note after one Home Neck Traction treatment there is one stress point not two as in the pre (compare arrows). The C-4/C-5 joint is now properly sharing the load! If C. Colby will position the unit slightly higher and stick with the Home Neck Traction he can extend this reversal of kyphosis into lasting lordotic recovery.