I have patients that travel frequently and need a simple, lightweight option. What cervical traction options are good recommendations to make to these types of patients?

Business men and women, retired people, and those that just enjoy traveling don't have to give up this aspect of their lives just because they use cervical traction units. Most of these devices for home use are designed with portability, durability and safety in mind so they are easy to take with you. Depending on the type of cervical traction units you select, there is a range of features that make them convenient for people on the go.

The least portable option is the over-door cervical traction unit. This is because the attachment over the door has to be adjusted and clamped and unclamped each time the device is moved. While this doesn't make it heavy or awkward to pack, it does mean that there can be difficulty in reaching the top of an interior door to located the frame for the headrest and weight.

Patients may prefer a simple head harness, neck roll and weighted bag option, although in these cases the bags are pre-set with weight. They are light, however, only weighing either three or five pounds, very easy to pack and transport. Pneumatic devices are also lightweight and use air pressure, meaning there are no additional weights to carry and move.

What is the average cost of cervical traction units for home use?

Cervical traction units have a wide range of prices, depending on the style, model, and technology included in the specific type of traction device selected. Simple models that are sold as three or five pound traction systems are less than one hundred dollars, and in fact they can often found under sixty dollars on online medical supply websites. With replacement parts readily available for these simple systems they are extremely low cost options.

Pneumatic collar type cervical traction units tend to be moderately priced with most ranging between four and six hundred dollars. They can exert more traction force and have several built in features that make them easy to use and very comfortable for the patient. The most expensive options in cervical traction units are the therapy quality traction devices that are very similar to those used in therapeutic treatment. These units are usually priced at between five hundred to a thousand dollars, with discounts available through online medical companies.

What is the biggest benefit to a patient to purchase a home cervical traction unit?

Patients using home cervical traction units are able to replicate the same types of stretch and pressure relief options available through therapy. This means greater opportunities for pain management without medications, fewer trips to physical therapy as well as the possibility of avoiding neck surgery until a full assessment or recovery period can be completed. Since these devices are low cost, very safe to use, and highly practical, they are a benefit to anyone needing regular traction for injury treatment and chronic neck and back pain problems.