Doing Cervical Traction at HOME- Protocol for Neck Pain Relief from a Pinched Nerve in the Neck

The purpose of neck traction is to help with alignment of the cervical spine. Using cervical traction regularly can help patients who want to maintain the natural cervical curve in the neck. During traction, the cervical neck muscles are stretched, the vertebral discs are realigned, and pressure on nerve root tissue. Traction also helps "clamped" neck muscles to gently stretch and relax, allowing misaligned vertebrae (which put pressure on spinal nerve root tissue) to return to their normal anatomical position.

• neck pain
  
• stiff neck
  
• herniated disc in the neck
  
• bulging disc in the neck
  
• tightened neck muscles
  
• for a patient who has been prescribed neck surgery
  
• whiplash injury in the neck
  
• muscle spasm in the neck
  
• degeneration in the neck
  
• arthritis in the neck spine
  
  

1. First you need to warm up your neck muscles. Start with gentle neck exercises ie. stretches before you begin any type of traction protocol.It is important to only carry out the stretch until you feel the stretch, not to the point of feeling pain.
   
2. Using the Pronex neck traction, you must be lying down. Begin by placing the neck traction device on a flat surface. You can use a hard table or the floor (carpeted is best !). Lie down comfortably on your back with your feet flat and your knees at 45 degrees. This is the most comfortable way to do traction. You can also place a knee elevator, positioning wedge (cylinder) or two pillows under your knees for the most comfort possible.
   
3. Next, position the pronex traction so that the right side on the right side of your body. Take note that on the unit itself, on the blue part, there is a "R" on the right side of the unit for your reference. " R " stands for right side of the body.
   
4. As you lie down, slowly lower the back of your cervical spine until it is cradled in the u shaped curve of the soft blue head piece. The crown your shoulders should feel comfortable against the edge of the pronex traction unit (concave underside of the traction unit). Also, gently pull apart the sides of the pronex to prevent folding or pinching of your ears, and to get a nice comfortable position.
   
5. Relaxation is very important when doing traction, and definitely when using the pronex traction unit. Allow your neck muscles to relax and setting into the concave shape of the head piece. Relax, take a few deep breaths with emphasis on a smooth exhalation. If you are relaxed during traction, it will be more effective.
   
6. Place the head strap over your forhead and secure the Velcro on both sides of the unit.
   
7. Keeping a relaxed posture, squeeze the air bulb pump until you feel a firm stretch in the back of your cervical spine. Release air pressure by turning the screw valve on the bulb counter clockwise to about ¾ of a full turn.
   
8. Next close the valve and re-inflate the pronex traction unit until you feel a firm stretching in your cervical muscles. Once again release the air pressure.
   
9. Repeat inflating and releasing air pressure until you reach a level of neck traction that gives you the most relief and is comfortable.
   
10. Stay in this position for about 10 minutes.
    
11. It is very important to breathe normally during neck traction. Maintain even relaxed breathing, breathing out slowly. During the traction session, release air pressure at least 2 times. Relax for a moment and then reinflate the pronex until the prescribed period is completed.
    
12. Once you have completed 10 minutes- 15 minutes of neck traction, release the air pressure slowly and first remove the head strap. Remove the positioning wedge from under your knees. Allow the air to empty completely from the bellows. Place you hand behind your head as you sit up. Gently lift your head, roll to one side and push yourself up to a sitting position. There you have completed a neck traction protocol.
    

It is common for many patients to feel a warmth after a traction protocol with the pronex. It is also common to have soreness after treatment. Avoid rapid repetive motions for at least 30 minutes after each traction session. Too much or exaggerated movements such as looking straight up and down, twisting may increase muscle tension and cause a stiff neck.

It is important to consult with your therapist or health professional before starting a neck traction protocol. They will show you in the office how to use the unit properly. Also, they will recommend you how often to do traction and for what length of time. In our office, patients are prescribed to do traction 2 times/day for 4-6 weeks to determine if traction will help to relieve their pain. Again, every patient is different- so go by what your Doctor recommends. Start slow, and remember neck soreness is normal for some patients.

One the benefits of using the pronex traction unit is that there is no TMJ or temporomandibular joint involvement. Often times if a patient has been involved in a traumatic neck injury, one can also have jaw pain as a result. The pronex traction unit stretches the neck comfortably without tmj involvement, allowing for even traction.

• Use a knee elevator, a position wedge or 2 pillows under your knees while doing neck traction. This position is great as it takes pressure off of your lower back area. This position is the most effective for doing neck traction at home.
  
• Take off eye glasses, earrings and headbands before beginning traction. It is a good idea to pull loose hair back and out of the way to make sure you have a comfortable traction regime.
  
• When you are beginning traction you can use the pronex head strap to help keep your head and neck in proper place. After doing traction for a few sessions, you may not need to use this strap.
  
• It is very important relax and breathe evenly while you increase and decrease air pressure. The more relaxed you are duing traction, the more benefit you will experience- and it will more comfortable as well.
  

The pronex traction unit is very easy to maintain and clean in between uses. To clean the unit, gently wipe the exposed surfaces with a clean soft cloth lightly moistened with a cleaning liquid such as 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

If you suffer from any of the conditions below you should not be doing home traction. Remember, always check with your health practitioner before starting a traction protocol at home. There are contraindications - certain health conditions for traction should not be performed:

• severe rheumatoid arthritis
  
• infection
  
• inflammatory disease
  
• fractures
  
• extruded disc fragments
  
• spinal cord compression
  
• cancer or malignancy
  
• spreading and/or aggravation of symptoms
  

The Pronex comes in three sizes so that you can traction your neck comfortably. Take a measurement of your neck to find the right size of the pronex traction unit:

• Regular 14" to 16" neck [Regular fits 65% of the general population and most women] *** Most Popular***
  
• Large 17" to 18" neck [Large fits 33% of the general population and most men]
  
• Wide 19" to 21" neck [Wide fits 2%. It is for patients with necks like football players]
  

Most women of typical height, weight and neck size, 14" - 16" will be comfortable in a Regular. When in doubt, order the Large size.
Most men of typical height, weight and neck size, 17" - 18", will be comfortable in a Large. When in doubt, order the Large size.
An individual, man or woman, having large shoulders and neck, or having a "bull" or short neck, usually a neck size greater than 18", will likely be most comfortable using a Wide Pronex. Order a Large size in borderline situations.

The Three sizes of the pronex pneumatic traction are available at Arc4life.com. Read customer testimonials, frequently asked questions, size information, and other important information. Also, you can download the neck exercises that are prescribed before starting each traction protocol.