Tips For Making A Home Cervical Traction Device

By Lana Bray


Persons who have been hurt in a car accident, or during their sporting activities, may have damaged their spine in several ways. This can be quite debilitating, and may cause considerable pain that is necessary to relieve. The spinal column of the person may also now not be in perfect alignment, which is something that could require therapy to resolve. Pressure on the spinal column also needs to be eliminated. Under a doctor's guidance, the person could use a cervical traction device.

Devices used for this kind of treatment involve placing force upon the spinal column. The pressure is usually applied to the skull or upper neck area, so that the spine is pulled straight. The rest of the body will stay in place. It is a pulling motion that helps to correct the spine's alignment so that pain is relieved.

While there are products that can be purchased for this type of treatment, such as specially designed pillows, a person can also perform the treatment at home with a few household objects. The benefits of the treatment include pain relief from pinched nerve roots, injured spinal disks and moving joints. This type of therapy can also be used along with medication that has been prescribed by a doctor.

Nothing fancy is required at home, only a door, a string, or rope, and a towel. A hand towel that is slightly smaller than a bath towel is ideal. Choose a door that has a handle, and that can be shut properly. Perhaps a carpeted area is best as well, as you will be lying on the floor. The process won't take long, just a few minutes.

You will first need to set up your supporting sling, which is done with the rope and towel. The rope is fastened to the door handle and to one side of the towel, allowing the towel's other side to just touch the ground. You can tie the rope and towel in any manner, so long as it is at the correct length and so that you have space on the towel to rest your head.

Facing upwards, lie down on the floor with your head at the door, so that you can place it inside the 'towel sling' that you have just made. It is now important to get into the correct position. Your head will be resting within the sling. It should not be not be on the floor, but in a slightly 'up' position that is comfortable. Be careful that your neck is not angled backwards or forwards, and that your back and neck is as straight as possible.

Eventually, you will hold this position for fifteen minutes each day, but your first session will be just seven minutes. Each day will be one minute longer until you reach the maximum time of a quarter hour. You should always use a stopwatch as these times are crucial to not lessen or exceed.

Home therapy with a simple neck cervical traction device such as the one described is safe and convenient. It requires no special expertise or equipment, but has the power to bring relief from pain. Perhaps, depending on your circumstances, you will need other devices, but your doctor can make recommendations for those. Your doctor should also be consulted before trying out any method of therapy, especially if it is one that you plan to do yourself.




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