How to Use Cervical Neck Traction

Cervical neck traction is a method of straightening out neck bones, muscles and ligaments to restore them to their natural position. This is used to alleviate neck and shoulder pain resulting from sitting at a computer, being on your feet all day or minor strains in your neck. Traction can use either a brace with a pulley attached to a door, or a pillow that inflates to push the neck upward and elongate it. The use of traction mechanisms should not take precedence over proper medical care.

Instructions

How to Use Cervical Neck Traction

• 1

  Consult your doctor prior to using traction. You need to make sure that you will not be creating a more serious injury from the use of traction. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and possibly schedule diagnostic tests to determine the extent of injuries if any. Once you have doctor's approval, you may move on to step 2.

• 2

  Prepare the traction unit. If this is a pulley system, it most likely will hang over a door frame. Make sure it is securely in place prior to putting the collar on and that the door is closed, so it won't swing open unexpectedly while you are in the traction collar.

  Inflatable pillows don't require preparation.

• 3

  Place the traction collar around your neck. Make sure it fits snugly around your neck but isn't too tight where breathing is difficult.

• 4

  Engage the traction component. Engaging traction means creating the force that guides your neck upward, elongating muscles and releasing tension on the cervical spine.

  For pulley systems, this means gripping the handle and pulling gently upward. For pillow systems, turn the pump on to inflate the pillow.

• 5

  Sit in traction for five to 10 minutes. Start with less time and work your way up to 30 minutes two to three times daily.