Hockey,

Do you mean the home cervical traction units with a hand pump similar to a bicycle tire pump? I have used this before, and it is extremely important to get your head/neck alignment correct and to make sure the pressure you pump is accurate.

If not, it will cause the cervical paraspinal muscles to spasm and really cause a great deal more pain. I have set these up on patients before, and I found it very difficult to get an accurate placement on myself at times. Good if you check yourself often to see if this is causing increased pain at any time during the application, and to stop it immediately if this is so, as it should only feel like a gentle stretch.

Also, the pounds of the pull should be determined by a medical professional, and not a variable amount determined by how it feels to you. Hope this helps. M-i-m