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Traction: A Top Option for Treating Cervical Conditions |
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That old saying about something being a “pain in the neck” has its roots in reality. In fact, according to one report, neck pain consistently ranks as one of the top five disabling disorders in the US.
Physicians of healthcare-based areas, such as chiropractors, physical therapists, and osteopathic physicians, often observe clients with cervical area issues presenting with a stiff neck, chronic tension headache, or similar symptoms. And while the cause can vary aside from injury, the outcomes are always the same debilitating pain that deprives patients of work, activities, sleep, and general quality of life.
Cervical Traction – A Preferred Treatment Option
As a result of treatment for neck pain, many medical professionals turn to cervical traction. A survey published in 2017 indicated that most responding physical therapists (92.3 percent) generally use manual traction or mechanical traction tables. Often this remedy is coupled with other types of treatment, such as exercise, postural education, or joint mobilization.
Cervical traction helps alleviate neck pain and stiffness by gently stretching muscles and ligaments to release tension, reduce muscle spasms, and increase flexibility and range of motion. It also assists with the decompression of spinal structures, which assists in relieving pain. Interval traction may be performed at specific intervals in order to maintain circulation and decrease adhesions and contractures of the cervical structure.
The most common types of traction include:
Clinical: Use to relieve suffering, a health professional applies manual traction with light pressure to the hands. Manual traction allows the healthcare professional to change the position of the head, moving it from side to side or slightly flexing and extending the cervical spine.
Mechanical: Delivered by a healthcare provider who uses a machine with a harness attached to the patient's head. The use of mechanical traction allows the physician to gently extend the neck, briefly alleviating pressure on the affected area of the neck. This can be performed continuously or intermittently.
Home Use
Wall- or Door-Mounted: One or both patients, standing or sitting, use a mounted system of pulleys and weights connected to a head halter that wraps around the chin. The system involves gentle stretching of the neck. The patient is responsible for managing the process by himself, requiring that his doctor provides him with thorough instructions in advance.
Pneumatic Supine: A self-contained, inflatable device with a foam pad that stretches along a rail. The patient lies flat on a surface with a foam pad placed directly against his occipital bone and neck, while a head strap firmly grips the chin and mastoid processes. A hand-held air pump is used to set the desired level of air pressure, as set by the healthcare provider.
Pneumatic Pump: A foam-filled bucket-like device consisting of foam cushions with a bladder or bellows. The patient lies on the cushions, often with a head strap for added support. A syringe is used to inflate the bladder or bellows with pressurized air, as prescribed. Some systems can hobble on or on a hard surface, just like a bed, couch, or sofa. Pneumatic machines like the jaw lift do no pressure to the mandible.
What is Pronex® & How is it Different?
Not all providers are accustomed to traction, but most are familiar with manual techniques and mechanical tables. Moreover, some home treatment options, such as over-the-door, have achieved a relatively high level of adoption, but other treatment options, such as pneumatic pumps, are less well known.
The first pneumatic pump traction device is the Pronex. Used racked up to 25 years, it is the first pneumatic pump traction apparatus that is using a bellows to offer an even distraction of the cervical spine. Its design supports the shape of the cervical spine and supports two unique advantages straight and counter traction. The combination of this severity will create a complete distraction in the anterior and posterior cervical discs. Furthermore, because traction is provided by the pressure put on the occiput and trapezius muscles, there isn't any stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The neck and back of the patient are cradled on a set of two foam wedges. One tray supports the back of the head while the other rests on the head. A flap extending from the foam supplies up to 35 lbs. of constant traction tension. As it expands, the patient's head supports the patient's cervical curve, enabling the bone to maintain a proper profile, which keeps the space between them constant. This design gives the patient complete control over the amount of traction applied. Squeezing the helium-infused single-hand inflator balloon increases the pressure; a release handle reduces the pressure. In addition, Pronex is portable and portable, which promotes regular use by the patient at home. Patients are most successful with repeated use at home within a reasonable time interval, 2-5 minutes. Two hours are allowed between treatments. Those taking longer treatments of 10-20 minutes typically find relief with 1-2 treatments a day.
In Summary
With neck pain affecting a significant portion of the US population, it's no wonder that cervical issues arise in a significant number of provider-patient populations. As part of your health care plan today, cervical traction is a therapy worthy of strong consideration.
Pronex Cervical Traction Device is available at Pro Therapy Supplies. You may visit our website or call 770-441-9808.
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