Do you experience tension in your neck, shoulders or around your shoulder blades?
Well you're not alone. Neck pain is one of the most common types of pain, and it can be caused by a variety of factors from stress to poor ergonomics and poor posture but don't worry here are some options to help relieve tension and discomfort in the neck and shoulders from the comfort of your own home.
In this blog post, we will discuss the best neck traction device (AKA cervical traction device) to relieve neck pain, loosen neck muscles and in some case help pinched nerves. Where applicable instructions have been provided on how to perform / use the traction devices. We hope this information will help you find relief from your horrid neck pain!
Keep on reading this blog post to learn more about how to choose and use a neck and shoulder relaxer to help stretch and traction your neck back to normaility.
History Of Traction Devices
A neck stretcher, neck traction devices, cervical traction equipment and neck relaxers have been around for over 5500 years and still have the same goal, to relieve pain.
All Cervical neck traction techniques are types of stretching that treat neck pain and the associated structures. Simply put the spine is lightly pulled by your head to make space between the bones in your neck (your cervical vertebrae).
The most recent neck stretcher devices are thought to help improve blood circulation to the cervical spine, helping to oxygenate muscles, nerves, tendons, as well as ligaments, and this, can increase energy, and decrease pain while promoting relaxation via relief of constricting nerve and blood vessels, thus reducing pressure and tension.
Your healthcare provider will analyze your neck injury before suggesting any form of neck brace or traction apparatus to ensure you are safe and not demonstrating any herniated discs etc. . Before you obtain or start using any cervical traction devices you should really have a professional examine you first before you start any physical therapy.
Cervical traction can be performed by either your physical therapist, MD or chiropractor or more importantly by yourself at home. It can be done manually (by hand) or with cervical traction devices (including the ones with a pulley system) .
A 2014 analysis found that automatic traction (using a rope and pulley system) was useful in helping people with pinched nerves and neck pain and helping to regain a natural cervical curve. In this article, I am hoping to offer you the home neck traction devices.
1. Home Cervical Traction Kit 2.0
NECK TENSION RELIEF:
This premium neck traction machine is designed to reduce pinch nerves by encouraging improved posture and stretching the neck. If you suffer from stiffness in the neck, pinched nerve, or sore shoulder muscles, use it for just minutes a day to experience results. Increased flexibility & range of motion is thought to be one of the benefits.
FULLY ADJUSTABLE:
This cervical traction unit is very adaptable. Use up to 50 lbs of force with a patented quick release pump. Easily adjust the angle of incline to 10, 15 and 20 degrees.
REALIGNMENT:
When utilizing spinal decompression devices, msoft tissue structures stretch to free nerve root tissue and permit the vertebral disc to realign as with any therapy this can make you sore for a while so start off slow and steady.
COMFY
This patented product comes with contouring adjustable neck cradle for a custom fit that secures the neck while providing cervical traction
This is the most expensive device but also gets the highest number of postive reviews.
Chiropractic Pillow Neck Stretcher
This cervical traction pillow can deliver neck traction and help the neck and shoulders. The manufactrers say this is excellent for people who must bow to their leaders for a lengthy time. This is an important point in todays new world.
This neck traction pillow seems robust and ideally should be used on hard surfaces but sofas, beds, or yoga carpets can also be used.
The gentle extension of the neck can help ease neck stiffness, nourish the neck, help ease the strain of that heavy head on the cervical spine, and hopefully ease chronic neck pain. The design is such that the C-curve design matches the human spine and it is that shape that will provides the pain relief. It provides a perfect neck traction device for home, although I think dogs may love to play with it.
It is versatile too and offers vertical and horizontal support, the stretch from this apparatus (and similar ones) is assumed to offer spinal decompression. The neck traction expereinced allows the neck and head to be gently positioned to help reduce spinal pressure. Therefore users completing home neck traction should be able to maintain the correct spinal posture, relieve the pain and pressure, support the cervical spine and help restore the C-shaped curve of the neck. If the correct curve is maintained then relaxation for the Neck and Relaxation for Shoulder should easily be achieved.
The manufacturers say this is perfect for helping relieve the pain and pressure, TMJ, and sore muscles. It only takes 10 minutes to help relieve the pain in the neck.
Amazon feedback is good and says this is an effective item at a budget price.
⦁ Note:
This product Can't be used as an ordinary pillow all night long, but gently stretching and relaxing for 10 minutes a day, can help to relax your neck and shoulders.
Neck Stretcher for Neck Pain Relief, Upper Back and Shoulder Relaxer.
This is a mid-price neck and upper back stretcher and is supposed to be designed for people who suffer from migraines, pain of the neck, stiff neck, upper back sore that are associated with stress, office work, tech neck etc.
The differentiation here is it stretches the thoracics and shoulders here as well as the neck. Well worth a look if you get pain where the neck joins the body.
The manufacturers say it has an ergonomic structure to try and realign your spine. It is adjustable for different shaped people with 4 different settings. Which is good because we are all different.
Theoretically, you could set this cervical traction device at the most relaxing level for easy stretching and work up over time to move up the settings to aid effective pain relief.
It can be used lying or sitting up right too.
Here I get sceptical as it says it acupunctures the neck for upper back relaxation. I believe acupuncture is more skilled than just lying on a plastic pimple.
This neck aid (and I've started seeing it called a chiropractic cushion too) is made of durable ABS material which can handle up to 330lbs. That is heavy!
This neck stretcher is easy to move and store. Superb for use at the house, at the gym, etc. Just 5-15 minutes of use should reduce neck and shoulder pain. If you are looking for a thoughtful gift it is an excellent gift for those who complain of being a pain in the neck.
It it thought that flexible neck muscles improve blood flow and circulation, and aid in relieving pain and pain with alignment. Sounds possible.
Over Door Posture Corrector and Cervical Neck Traction Device
Possibly the most familiar and oldest machine on the market.
This neck traction Machine "IS EASY TO SET UP FOR for home use" says the instructions, the reality is it needs two people really and can be uncomfortable to use (from the feedback).
Situating it over an entrance means the CERVICAL TRACTION device can easily be used to do your recommended PT Activities anywhere. helps to release soreness and neck pain by gently stretching muscles and decompressing spinal discs by taking tension off the backbone.
Includes pulley, traction cord, notched adaptable spreader bar, head harness, S hook, and vinyl water bag with a graduated scale varying from 2-20 pounds.
This is the cheapest of the devises looked at and the worst reviews for such an established and recommended method of relieving nerve pressure.
Neck Stretcher Magnetic Therapy Shoulder and Neck Relaxer
Neck Stretcher Magnetic Therapy Shoulder and Neck Relaxer
Best Magnetic Neck Stretcher
This looks like a previously reviewed traction aid but with magnets. If you like magnets this is for you but do the magnets work? I couldn't find anything clinical to support their use but some people may say they work for them. You will be paying considerably more for the addition of the magnets but I guess that means you could always use it to keep paper clips on it if it didn't help the neck!
Cost in some cases is double the standard item and feedback similar.
Neck Cervical Traction Device - Inflatable
The device is designed to relieve cervical pain and tension, it provides you with adjustable support to the cervical spine, helps relieve headaches, stiffness or dizziness. It can fix incorrect sitting posture and alleviate fatigue and stress when working.
SIZE: 12" TO 17" AROUND THE NECK
Material: high-quality silicone rubber + medical grade memory foam + cotton fabric; Latex Free; Non-toxic material; Hypoallergenic; Comfortable & soft touch feeling (no smell)
Reviews are mixed and some say it can be dangerous. Quite cheap so maybe if you are on a tight budget and don't pump it too tight you'll be safe.
Shiatsu Neck Shoulder Massager with Heat
Potentially the best-reviewed and gets glowing reports also sells in bucket loads! It isn't a traction device but a massager and the heat alone will help those tired muscles. I've included this simply because most people are looking for pain relief and don't care if that is in the form of traction or massage. This is unlikely to help spinal problems though.
It has 4 massage balls to apply a soothing kneading feel, relieve tense muscles and aid blood circulation.
The manufacturers call it a shiatsu massage pillow with warmth. The built-in infrared heat lamps provide a friendly massage feel which is just light and secure to the skin.
A nice touch is this product has a 12v adapter so whether you are at sitting at home or in the office or even when you are driving you can simply plug in the massage pillow using 12V car charger and a wall AC adapter to power the massage pillow.
Good price and quality is reasonable.
NeckSaviour Neck Stretcher
The Neck Saviour was created by a Physiotherapist with extensive clinical experience and knowledge of the biomechanics of the neck. The Neck Saviour is designed to be used in 4 different ways, depending on your specific needs. This means it can be used by anyone from children to adults. It is also very easy to use and is great if you have more than one person using it at once.
This is the one I use and recommend as the best neck stretcher. It is easy to use and can go on holiday with you too, its light and small you see!
There are very few Amazon reviews available and the similar products available on Amazon get mainly bad reviews. Stick with the original and if it isn't available on Amazon simply search Neck Saviour.
If you are struggling to use it the company's website is most informative.