O/T Over the door cervical traction

I have been doing some rehab for neck problems and they are doing the traction on a supine machine. My doctor wants me to continue the stretcing at home but I don't know if I should just buy one of the cheapie over the door models or go up in price and get a supine model.
So did the over the door model work for you or just any random thoughts any has on the subject might help.

thanks

Here's a random thought....since I've never used either. But, the over the door devices look scary to me, with potential for hurting yourself. I would go for the supine.

I used one that goes on the end of a bed that uses gravity. It worked but was very uncomfortable. This one looks interesting
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/34857 ... pport.html

Hi - don't use that Alibaba thing... it doesn't apply traction, and will weaken your muscles instead of strengthening them. I also would not do the over the door one as there are definite differences to how your muscles and other anatomy behaves when you're standing and lying down.

Julie wrote:Hi - don't use that Alibaba thing... it doesn't apply traction, and will weaken your muscles instead of strengthening them. I also would not do the over the door one as there are definite differences to how your muscles and other anatomy behaves when you're standing and lying down.

I agree with you guys, hanging yourself just doesn't seem safe and I can see where lying down would allow the neck to relax more and let the process happen.
I'll go with the supine one.

My dad used the over the door model. It looks like medieval torture, but it really helped him.

Hi, my husband has been using over the door traction for many years,it really helps him. He also uses the tens unit.

One of my co-workers back in the late 60s used an over the door traction device after cervical surgery. She always used to say she really looked forward to going home and "hanging herself" every day after work as it worked well for her. I don't remember for how long she used it.

I would think that if one has stenosis traction might not be too effective. The "stretching" would tend to narrow the stenotic area even more I would think. At least that was the case w/my husband's lower back. An orthopedic surgeon insisted on supine traction twice a day during one of my husband's hospitalizations. He would be sent down for physical therapy, come back feeling so much better, then be put in traction and lose all benefits and relief from the PT. He finally refused traction and we went to Mayo Clinic. The Mayo docs were aghast that the local orthopod ordered traction given the stenosis he had from an earlier injury and surgery. They told him to NEVER let a doctor put him in traction again. They explained that the stretching just narrowed the stenotic area. Two weeks of complete bed rest and physical therapy 3 x daily during the week and 2 x daily on the weekends had him back to golfing 3 months later.

I have a herniated disc at C6-C7. I've been using the commercial supine traction unit at my sports and rehab clinic. My neurosurgeon (no, I haven't had surgery, I'm trying to avoid it) gave me an order for a supine pneumatic cervical traction unit.

See here:http://www.amazon.com/Model-ComforTrac- ... 626&sr=8-2

I can use it up to three times a day, and even though it's not as effective as the commercial model, I can definitely get immediate relief, after work, in the a.m., and BTW, all physical therapists at my hospital recommended the supine unit over the over-the-door units.

I know this youtube short isn't a cervical traction device, but it emulates what I fear about what might happen with a OTD CT unit. I suspect the supine is safer. The idea of allowing the frame of a door to supend even a light adult by the neck comes across as a law-suit in the making. Most of us with SA tend to be someone above the average weight. Why put yourself in that position? If it were my neck, I'd get the supine model. Safer is better.

I have had 3 level ACDF surgery (3-4,4-5,5-6 cervical discs removed). I also have had a history of muscle spasm and tired sore muscles from accidents and poor posture as a result. Daily stretching is a must. Strength and isometric exercises are a must. With that said I am still sore at times and need relief. Of course lying down to take weight off is always good. I have a medieval water bag over the door traction device and it works well to bring relief and possible disc help. It is weight adjustable so that you can provide any level you need. I think the airbag devices don't look half as effective. I also use a Dr. Ho's portable tens device and that works well to stimulate muscles. I find it is more about keeping stretched and relaxed that helps the most.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2m2gxCu ... re=related

One thing people forget is that along with your vertebrae, there are also e.g. carotid arteries in your neck and if you mess with those in the wrong way, possibly ones that are very calcified and could cause strokes, you could do serious (if not fatal) damage. Don't mean to be scary/dramatic, but listen to your MD, not 'friends'.