Neck traction can be an effective therapy for neck problems and can help with relief of pain, decrease pressure on nerves and ease muscle spasms

Neck traction devices may improve the blood supply to neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments and promote relaxation by relieving pressure, stiffness and stress in the neck, head, and shoulders. Tight muscles can restrict blood flow causing a release of inflammatory chemicals which create further irritation, tension and pain.

Neck traction helps alleviate tension in your neck and shoulders that can restrict blood circulation and nerve flow. When nerves become pinched or irritated, you can experience headaches, neck pain and numbness or tingling down one or both arms. Nerves can be irritated by tight muscles along the neck, shoulders and upper back, herniated discs and arthritis.

For many years neck traction devices have been used to obtain relief by removing nerve pressure and relaxing the tight muscles and improving the circulation. Until recently, many of the neck traction devices have been cumbersome and difficult to use. Many neck traction units employ a weighted system attached to the head.

The neck traction devices that use harnesses attached to weights and either hung over a table or from a door can put stress on the jaw and are generally not viewed by many to look relaxing or easy to use. I have not had much luck getting patients to comply with these type of devices and I guess I don't blame them. It's just a bit scary for the average person.

Fortunately, technology has advanced and many traction devices for home use are now more user friendly, comfortable, safe and effective. They range from general traction by lifting the weight of the head off the neck while sitting to more specific and effective methods of traction used while lying on the back which can help to restore the natural neck posture.

The new designs make it easier for neck traction to lengthen neck muscles and separates joints which often results in rapid relief from the soreness and irritation that accompanies neck problems. Gentle traction can exercise neck muscles increasing circulation, while firmer traction lowers the pressure between neck joints, freeing pinched nerves and easing herniated discs. The air neck traction models provide the most traction force and have the greatest variability in sizing with a comfortable and easy to use designs.

The new neck traction devices are lightweight, easy to travel with and effective for neck pain relief.

The home neck traction is the most effective means to restore correct posture because it places your neck in extension during therapy. It is important to know if there are any problems with extending your neck or tilting it back. Please review neck stretches to show how to test your neck for extension. If this causes any dizziness or increase in pain then the home neck traction and the neck support pillow devices may not be the right tool for you. If there are no problems with extension or if it feels good, then either of these traction devices along with the neck exercises would be useful to aid in the restoration of the normal neck curve and posture.

Restoring the proper neck curve is an important part of helping neck pain. The loss of the normal neck curve leaves you 4 times more vulnerable to neck pain. Loss of this curve is promoted by poor neck posture and according to a November article is Spine Journal, 33(23) 2008, loss of the neck curve can accelerate disc degeneration. The article further states that restoring the normal neck curve should be considered to prevent degeneration and deterioration of symptoms. This is the goal for neck traction combined with extension in the 2 traction products noted above.

With traction, you may feel some discomfort initially, but that would not be uncommon. With continued and regular use along with the exercises illustrated at neck exercises you can probably have noticable correction within approximately six months. Depending on your specific condition, it may take up to a year and in some cases complete correction is not possible. You do not always need to have complete correction for relief however. You can see at neck arthritis that correction of neck problems usually depends on the condition of your neck. Make sure you have a sleeping pillow with good support so that you are not losing any gains you have made with neck traction and exercises while you sleep and be very sure not to watch TV in bed unless you head is in the proper upright position.