Cervical (neck) traction is a treatment often used in physical therapy to help treat neck pain. A Saunders Cervical Traction Device can be used in your home to help with your neck pain.
What is Cervical (Neck) Traction?
If you have neck pain or pain in your arm coming from your neck, your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist to help treat your condition. Neck pain can limit your ability to turn your head, look up or down, or perform normal activities like sleeping or exercising. Symptoms that often come from your neck include pain in the middle of your neck, pain to one side of your neck or pain in one or both of your shoulder blades. Occasionally, symptoms coming from your neck may be felt as pain or numbness and tingling in your arm or hand.
Since many different symptoms coming from your neck can be felt in many different places, it’s important to see your doctor or physical therapist (PT) to help determine the cause of your symptoms and to decide on the best way to manage your condition. Your PT can show you what to do (and what to avoid) to properly manage your neck pain.
If you visit a physical therapist to help treat your painful neck condition, he or she will likely perform an initial assessment and then prescribe various treatments for your neck condition. One such treatment is cervical traction.
What Does Cervical Traction Do?
Cervical traction can be used for a variety of purposes. It can be used to help decrease compressive forces in the neck, which can help take pressure off of the discs that reside between the vertebrae (spinal bones) in the neck. It can also open up the spaces where nerves exit the spinal, which can help relieve pressure off of a compressed nerve. Traction can also help stretch the muscles and joint structures around the neck.
Common diagnoses that may benefit from cervical traction include, but are not limited to:
- Herniated or Bulging Discs in the Neck Region
- Neck Arthritis
- Neck Strains
- Muscle Spasms in the Neck Region
If you have any of these conditions or symptoms, always check in with your doctor and visit your PT to see if cervical traction is the right treatment for you and your condition.
Does Neck Traction Really Work?
When considering any medical treatment with your clinician or in the physical therapy clinic, it helps to understand what research is available for the treatment and how it may help your condition. So what does the research show for cervical traction?
A recent study published in the journal Spine examined 7 different published cervical traction studies. The researchers concluded that neck traction could possibly offer short-term neck pain relief. The research was unable to determine if traction can provide long-term relief and more studies would need to be considered. However, when considering cervical traction for your neck pain, you must always speak with your physician, clinician or physical therapist to ensure it is right for you and to have realistic expectations for the treatment.
How Do I Do Cervical Traction at Home?
Traction can be applied to your neck at home. The most recommended by physicians or physical therapists and safest traction device is the Saunders® Cervical Home Traction Device. This device is designed to provide safe, gentle and effective traction (stretching) to the neck region. This device also requires no assembly and is ready to use out of the case. If you purchase one, your physician or physical therapist can help you learn how to use the device and can provide advice on the appropriate amount of force to use for your specific condition.
Cervical traction can be an effective treatment for neck pain and associated neck conditions, like arthritis, herniated discs or bulging disc. Remember that every person is different, and your physician, clinician or physical therapist should tailor your treatment and device settings to your specific problems and needs.
How Easy the Saunders Cervical Traction Unit to Use?
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Why Buy from PainCare Outlet?
PainCare Outlet is a trusted leader online certified medical supplier of the Saunders® Cervical Home Traction Device, TENS units, electrotherapy units and rehabilitation supplies.
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