Raise your hand if you’ve tried Cervical Traction? Or at least heard of it?

Cervical traction is an easy and effective treatment we do right here in our Littleton Chiropractor office. Cervical traction is an act of gentle stretching of the neck that helps create space between the vertebrae, which in turn, keeps the spinal discs healthy. You can also create space through various yoga poses, stretching with a professional, or with the help of a chiropractor, physical therapist or massage therapist. We all know how important stretching is, and it’s just as important in your neck.

We love cervical traction for our patients for a few reasons:

• It restores the curve in the neck
• Promotes healthy discs
• Removes tension from the spinal cord

We offer this chiropractic service in our office, and we also sell an over-the-door Cervical Traction device for at-home use. Our team will show you how to set it up and use it properly.

You simply put the harness around your head and neck. The rope has a weighted pulley system that goes over the door, and should be adjusted according to your height so it’s comfortable. At-home cervical traction is such an easy way to remove tension from your back and neck, and is especially important now with everyone working from home. This small device can help prevent pandemic posture. Cervical traction shouldn’t cause pain, but instead alleviate some of the compression and tightness you are feeling – many people almost feel immediate relief.

Cervical traction is also part of physical therapy for many patients, whether they suffer from a degenerative disease, were involved in an auto accident, or something else, because it will eliminate compression and alleviate pain.

“Cervical traction devices work by stretching the spinal vertebrae and muscles to relieve pressure and pain. Force or tension is used to stretch or pull the head away from the neck. Creating space between the vertebrae relieves compression and allows the muscles to relax. This lengthens or stretches the muscles and joints around the neck,” according to this Healthline article.

Though these stretches and pulls are minor, their impact is quite large, including improved mobility, range of motion like how far you can turn your head, as well as spinal alignment.

If you are working from home, be sure to read our 8 tips for good posture, and you should consider at-home exercises such as this.

Our Littleton chiropractor office always offers free consultations and we take most insurance plans. If you have questions about our chiropractic services or want to know if cervical traction can help you, give us a call at 303.904.0331. Our entire medical team is dedicated to helping you feel your best and get back to the activities you love.