Cervical traction is a treatment popularly used to treat neck pain and related injuries. It essentially pulls your head away from your neck to create expansion and remove compression.
A cervical traction device helps stretch the spinal vertebrae by lightly pulling and separating them, reducing pressure on the spine. It creates space between the discs, allowing the muscles and joints around the neck to stretch and relax.
Are cervical traction devices safe to use?
Cervical traction is considered a safe and effective way to treat different types of neck pain. It’s most commonly used by doctors and other medical specialists for physical therapy. Most consider it an alternative treatment for neck pain to avoid medication or surgery. It’s a part of physical therapy that can be done at home.
Some of the benefits of cervical traction include improved mobility and greater ease in performing your daily activities. In a 2017 study, it was found that cervical traction is effective in relieving neck pain immediately after the treatment. The research said that in a follow-up period, pain scores still remained low.
Another study in 2014 said that mechanical cervical traction was more effective in treating pinched nerves and neck pain. Cervical traction, however, is not recommended for any condition that can be aggravated by movement.
The ComforTrac Deluxe Home Cervical Traction Kit 2.0
While there are several ways to gain cervical traction, the ComforTrac Cervical Traction Device is designed to provide comfort and ease of use when doing physical therapy at home.
However, the use of the cervical traction device should be based on the treatment recommendation of a clinician or therapist. This ensures that the recommendations are precise in regard to the treatment force, duration, and usage.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s advice when using the ComforTrac Cervical Traction Device to prevent any further injuries that could aggravate conditions instead of treat them.
What’s included?
The ComforTrac Cervical System includes the following:
- 1 ComforTrac Cervical Traction Device
- 1 hand pump with gauge
- 1 carrying case
- 1 instruction manual
- 1 neck cushion
The device itself includes:
- Hand pump and gauge. This adjusts the force of the traction delivered as air is pumped into the diaphragm’s chamber. The gauge will indicate in pounds or kilograms of force the amount of force being applied to the cervical area.
- Head carriage. Provides comfortable neck and head support as it moves along the traction rail.
- Forehead strap. This is adjusted to fit over the forehead and ensure proper head positioning.
- Diaphragm. Moves the head carriage along the rail.
- Neck wedges. These can be manually adjusted to five positions to fit the head and the back of the neck. The proper neck wedge is usually determined by a physician or therapist. However, the included wedge cap cannot be used for a custom fit. In using the neck wedge, it’s important not to deviate from the recommendations of your physician.
- Adjustable slide stand. Provides traction at 10, 15, or 20 degrees.
How do you set up, assemble, and use the device?
While the ComforTrac Cervical Device comes more or less already set up, slight adjustments might be needed in inserting the neck wedges, head cushions, and the wedge cap.
When setting up the cervical device, set it at the angle prescribed by your health care provider. It should be set on a firm and flat surface that isn’t slippery. Enough space should be available so that you can lie down in a fully extended position.
Using the device, it’s important for you to lie on your back, with your neck placed between the neck wedges and the head carriage in the starting position. The neck wedges should also be adjusted according to the recommendations of your clinician or therapist.
Adjusting neck wedges
When traction force drops, it’s usually caused by head movement or repositioning. Relaxing while slowly pumping back to the earlier traction force should help.
It’s worth mentioning that if the device is pumped beyond the recommended traction force, depressing and holding the air release button works.
When using the hand pump, make sure that you stay still in order for it to work. Otherwise, it can deflate and air can be pushed out of the part stretching your neck.
Air pump
How long should you use it for?
This depends on the recommendations of your health care provider. In case you discover defects in the material or workmanship of the cervical traction device, ComforTrac offers a three-year warranty.
Carrying case
How many months can the therapy last?
Again, it depends on your health care provider how long your cervical traction therapy will last. Factors that can affect the duration of the therapy vary depending on the severity of the injury or discomfort. It is extremely important that you stick with your treatment plan as instructed by your therapist.
Final Thoughts
The ComforTrac Cervical Traction Device is easy to use, providing immediate results and pain relief for conditions like degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and more.
Compared to the previous model, it’s also more comfortable and easier to use, with fully adjustable features that use up to 50 lbs. of force. Whether you need traction at a 10-, 15-, or 20-degree angle, the device is easily adjustable and the quick release pump is convenient to use.
Many therapists and health care providers have also recommended the ComforTrac over other cervical traction devices for its ease of use and the level of comfort that it provides. Using this device has also shown immediate results in providing relief and improving a person’s condition.
All in all, while it’s a little pricier than other cervical traction devices on the market, this product from ComforTrac offers good value. And given all the benefits it delivers and the added convenience of getting therapy at home, it’s certainly worth the investment.