8 Steps to Beating Cervical Radiculopathy
CERVICAL TRACTION DEVICES

As part of my series on cervical radiculopathy today I'd like to review with you a few of the available devices you can purchase that will provide cervical traction. Yes, I actually own and use these devices, and NO, none of these companies have compensated me for talking them up today. So good, bad or indifferent, this is a simple, raw and opinionated review of these products, your opinions and mileage may vary from mine and I'm looking forward to your feedback on my blog page.

cervical-traction-devices

So, I've used these devices and had the chance to evaluate each of them, specifically for helping my cervical radiculopathy. Their costs and functionality varied, pretty significantly actually, and more importantly each of these units performs traction in a slightly different manner. So what I'll do is review each one of these units with some common criteria, and let you know what I think.

Now, if you're dealing with cervical radiculopathy you have my sympathies. I know first hand that dealing with this condition is really uncomfortable and it forced me to change my lifestyle significantly. The devices that we'll cover today have their place in maintaining the health and well being of your spine, but like I said earlier each of these units work and applies traction in a slightly different way, which isn't always a good thing.... and obviously you don't want to do more harm to yourself. What I'm saying is, don't just run out and buy all of these units, even if you can afford to. Take your time and understand what each of these units is, what each of them does, and how they apply traction to your spine. Your best bet is to talk to your favorite medical professionals and let them advise you on the best course of action to take.


 
 

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Rich Leach

Please keep your posts relevant to the topic: Cervical Traction Devices. All non-relevant postings and/or spam will be removed.

February 25, 2011, 2:38 PM
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Looking forward to more on each of these devices. I'm wondering if inversion would be helpful...by looking at it, you'd think it'd be better for back rather than neck issues but I don't know. Thanks!
Posted by Art CR on 03/16/2009 at 10:26:PM

Hi again Rich, Well I have 3 of the 4 devices you've got here, plus 2 things not pictured. I eagerly await hearing about your experiences with them! Briefly I can say that the hanging-from-the-door contraption was really akward to use and put way too much pressure on my jaw bones. The inversion table I only tried once but my neck was already screaming in pain and lying flat without some support under my neck was no good. That said, I think I will try it again. It is probably good to use as a preventive measure before any symptoms appear (just to keep the neck nice and stretched out). The posture pump I am using every day now to try and get a C-curve back in my neck and hopefully reduce any bulging discs. Hopefully it will help. I have the full unit that can also work on the lower back. I also use a 'ColdOne' wrap-around ice pack to reduce inflammation, and an inflatable 3-chamber traction collar that wraps around the neck. That is gentler than the door-hanging traction device. By the way I have received results from a nerve conduction study -- abnormal, looks like C7 is the problem. Now I'm looking at a MRI to see exactly what the deal is and then a discussion with a surgeon. Not exactly looking forward to that. Thanks again for taking the time to post. I think everyone is looking forward to any help you can provide. ESpecially if it means not having surgery as the end result.
Posted by Andrew Starling on 03/24/2009 at 8:44:PM

Hi Andrew- Wow, it sounds like you're having a real hard time with this, sorry to hear that. But I admire your efforts! I wish I could tell you that my posts about my experiences will be enough to ward off the surgeons, but I have to admit I'm relieved that you are working with the doctors and have had the nerve conduction and potentially the MRI tests. This is such a unique condition, everyone seems to be affected differently. I taped all of the footage for these traction device movies, now between work and doing taxes I'll have to produce the movies for posting. I'm wondering to myself if my isometrics posting (coming soon, I promise) will be of value to you. It may be a good way to strengthen some of those surrounding smaller muscle groups without moving the affected joints. But by all means, go with whatever your doctor suggests. I can't wait for the day you post that you're no longer suffering with these symptoms!
Posted by Rich Leach on 03/25/2009 at 8:44:AM

Hi Rich, I have one of the over the door devices. I was just curious how many times a day and for how long each time did you do the traction. I was also wondering how many pounds of water you used and if you did static or intermittent traction??? One last question, did you sit facing or away from the door? I know you're not a Dr., but none of my docs seem to know much about the over the door device. Thanks again for all the information on this site!!! It is much appreciated!!! Tammie
Posted by Tammie Fraley on 06/16/2010 at 7:43:PM

Tammie- I've been very delinquent in my postings for cervical radiculopathy since I no longer suffer from it! But this weekend I'm producing a posting on exactly what I did and most of your questions will be addressed there. In short: I actually improvised my over the door harness with a bike inner tube over one of my stairs so that I could ease in and out of the stretch, so I never even used the water bag - too inconvenient. I usually held each stretch for only 20 or 30 seconds and my body position was whatever I needed to get as much of a directly upward stretch. Sadly, most of the doctors either don't know or are simply too hurried to give you the necessary details; I found out by trial and error and fell back on my exercise science background. Look for the new posting on Monday, good luck!
Posted by Rich Leach on 06/17/2010 at 8:37:AM

Your website is great Thanks for posting all this info, particularly on the traction devices. I was recently diagnosed with CR of multiple nerve roots, but I want to avoid surgery if at all possible. What you say about the over-the-door device makes a lot of sense & is very useful. Thanks again!
Posted by Lincoln Steckel on 11/20/2010 at 8:58:PM