Home neck traction gizmos? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

bobnorth · 09-15-2004, 08:43 PM

Who among you has a home neck-traction device? I'd like opinions on if they work, what kind they are. I'm considering buying one to delay any more myelopathy with dx'd mild cervical stenosis.

desertrat25 · 09-16-2004, 12:00 AM

I used one for about a week with no results. The neurosurgeon prescribed it and told me to use it for one hour in the morning and one hour at night, It was very uncomfortable. I had one that was over the door and used a bag of water for weight, it cost about $35. Take Care and Good Luck

rgsmoose · 09-16-2004, 06:25 AM

Before I had any surgery my neurosurgeon recommended the same over-the-door kit that desertrat25 has. I used it for a few months and it really helped with the arm pain and numbness. I kept it and used it whenever the radiculopathy symptoms were getting worse. That's what they're helpful for.

Unfortunately I ended up with myelopathy too, which is compression of the spinal cord, not just the nerves going into the extremities. I can't see that any kind of traction would help with myelopathy unless it was being caused by bulging or herniated disks. Is this what is causing your cord compression? If the compression is coming from bone spurs or osteophytes, then traction probably won't help.

Good luck.

Kamden · 09-16-2004, 01:18 PM

I also had one the neuro. prescribed that hung over a door. I had a mild bulging disk in my neck, and severe muscle strain. It was very uncomfortable, and didn't do a thing for me except pull on my muscles more and make me feel worse. Some people have good results but this naturally depends on what their diagnosis is.

dennisgb · 09-16-2004, 01:33 PM

I had one of the over the door deals. I have to agree with Moose, it didn't work, mainly because I had spurs and restricted nerve passages.