I'm looking to purchase a real traction device. The doctor has prescribed this one & its waaaaay expensive
It looks like this:
Saunders Hometrac Cervical Traction

There's also this cheaper (and non-prescribed) altenative:

Anyone else been prescribed traction or am I alone in this? I have bulging cervical discs...

I'm in here with you, Thursday.

Herniations and bulges. One disc is both herniated and bulged. I think I have three herniated in my cervical and two bulges, with stenosis. Four broad based bulges for my lumbar. Both under control.

I need to work on my core - it's a goal... or more like a vision/vivid imagination LOL!!!!!!! right now. I'll get there.

Bulges are better than herniations. Can go back/heal - not often - had that happen from '92 MVA(motor vehic acc) on '92 MRI and not there on '98 MRI. then 10-2000 MVA - more, bigger and broader, stenosed...

Bulge like a knot on a tire/herniation extruding jelly doughnut - on a microscopic basis.

I'm a fan of cervical epidurals, X3 for me. It also gave my lumbar relief, my whole spinal column actually. It was definitely a turning point for me. (early 2006) Would dig out those records if you wanted to know what they shot me up with. Worth it.

Had lots of traction -

Manual manipulation for 8 years - PT - wore them out.

Mechanical traction - PT sets you up on that, and adjusts accordingly.

Inversion table - PT and home unit - helped but not without issues, though.

traction home unit consist of a cervical collar on a rope and a bucket on the other side of the door, adjusting weights as needed. Barbaric

Have hung my head over side of bed to stretch neck.

Used ball and/or balloons to stretch neck - sides and back and sometimes even front of neck - to relieve that "retracting turtle neck spasm"... I don't know if you can relate to that.

Have done self manual traction - as I think the manual is better. Something about the human touch, I guess.

Used to be caught out on the highway with overload pain levels and I'd stop at a convinent mart and buy a cheap roll of paper towels and stomp it a few times and use that for my neck so I could get on home. The stomping helped too.

HI,

Yep I have this unit. It helps but my PT also showed me a home traction methos with a towl some rope and a doorknob that was just as effective as this machine.

My insurance covered the machine though

Didn't you post an image of that, Shelly? I thought I saw that on here but couldn't find it. That would work just as good for a home unit.

I did. Here: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post363817-20.html
If anyone'd like to make one and that how-to isn't clear please let me know and I'll try to explain better
It does work very well for relief My doc wants to upgrade me to traction that can be measured though...
I'm so glad that Shelley uses this too!

Broken.. I'm trying to give my hands a rest but I love your first response to the thread. I want 2 ask lots of questions. Would you tell me more about>>
Thanks!!!

Yeah, self traction can be hard on your hands. I've had thumb issues so it was really hard on them. done what I could, or all I could stand.


The Miracle Ball Method - I use these balls for a lot of areas.

http://www.elderluxe.com/store/item....FQEuxwodaHuZtQ

For my neck and shoulders. For the sides, I will tilt my head to the right, ear to shoulder and place the ball on top of shoulder and then roll left side of neck snuggly onto ball. It feels pretty good. same for the right side of my neck. Sometimes one holds perfect and the other won't. well, just do what you can. I'll usually take the ball that's not staying where it's helpful and put it at the back of my cervical spine. I'm usually in a 45 dgree angle, reclining. The Miracle Balls feel good. Just enough give and just enough air. I have used 3 inch balloons the same way.

I use the oversized tennis balls in the front of my neck, chin and upper, front of chest and sternum.

With Miracle Balls on my left side and one at my cervical spine, I take that oversized ball under my chin, make a fist or semi fist and push upward, upward or back and forth a little bit and other movements.

for the upper front chest, I use the underside of my forearm to roll and manipulate the ball, back and forths across, up and down sternum, in a circular motion across the front and top of shoulders.

I'm now using a 2 liter bottle up and down my sternum too. it helps.


If you need more instruction, let me know.


http://www.elderluxe.com/store/item....FQEuxwodaHuZtQ