The neck is a fairly delicate part of the body. As a result, injuries to the neck are fairly common. Causes of neck pain are usually multi-faceted and it is often difficult to pin down exactly what the original cause of the pain was. Neck pain can be caused by poor posture, muscle tension, a pinched nerve, cervical disc injuries, or whip lash. For the majority of people neck pain has either a postural or mechanical base (repeating the same activity over and over can result in a neck injury). Neck pain can become chronic and cause tension headaches in addition to other problems. However, whatever the cause, neck traction will often help to alleviate pain and at least begin to solve the problem.

Traction is defined as - the deliberate and prolonged pulling of a muscle, organ, or the like, as by weights, to correct dislocation, relieve pressure, etc. This can be achieved on the neck in a variety of ways. There are many neck traction devices are on the market ranging in price from $12 - $400. However, it is also possible to perform neck traction at home with out any neck traction equipment. Home neck traction only requires a towel, a piece of rope and a door knob. Tie the rope to each end of the towel, then drape the contraption over the door knob so that the towel hangs just above the floor. Your head should be comfortable and just off the floor. It should not be tilted at all. It is important to only do it for a short period of time, about 7 minutes, or you can over stretch your muscles and exacerbate the original problem. Over time you can work up to about 15 minutes. However, this method of home neck traction has it’s risks as it has not been designed and implemented by a doctor. Participate in it at your own risk – and remember to lock the door when using this method.

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