Neck Relief

For many conditions, patients seek treatment for neck relief. Neck pain can be the result of myriad issues along the cervical spine and among the muscles of the head and neck. One form of conservative treatment is cervical traction. There are two types of cervical traction: manual and mechanical. Manual cervical traction can be performed by a chiropractic physician and involves gently pulling the head away from the neck while a patient is lying comfortably on a table. Gentle movements such as turning the head to the side while tractioning may also be done to achieve better results for the patient. The other form of traction is called mechanical traction and relies on a machine or a system of weights applied for necessary traction for the patient. In addition to traction, muscle relaxants and/or heat therapy may be used to make cervical traction more successful.

 Cervical Traction

Depending on the cause of the neck pain, traction treatment may vary. Cervical traction may be done with gentle pressure that is on and off in nature, applying traction and then allowing a space of time with no traction, this technique helping patients with a recent injury to the neck. If traction is needed to be done several times per day, a patient may receive a home traction device from their practitioner to utilize while at home. This at-home therapy generally involves using a weight and pulley system that is placed over a door in the home with a halter that is attached to the patients head. Some disorders of the neck that may benefit from cervical traction include disc herniation, cervical stenosis, disc bulging, radiculopathy, muscle strain and cervical plexopathy.

References Cited in this Article

www.everydayhealth.com

www.airnecktraction.com