Customer Reviews

Cervical Neck Traction

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I ordered this item because I used to have an identically looking one brought from China. The one from China was very effective on the first few runs but started leaking within 10 uses. So I found this item on Amazon and thought since it looked the same, and if I bought it from Amazon, it should be of higher quality and last longer - boy, how wrong was I! It felt comfortable and effective just as the old one on the first few (few < 5) trials, and right afterwards, it started leaking so badly that I couldn't even pump it to half inflated... And then I realized this is the SAME product as the one from China, and it sells for 1/5 of the cost there! Don't waste your money on this junk.

I pulled/strained a neck muscle very badly due to poor workstation ergonomics (now fixed), but this thing got me through the week of healing and soreness. If you're looking for something that will completely take all the weight off your neck muscles, and then gradually and gently stretch them, this will do it. I recommend lying flat on your back while using it for best effect. Be sure to let the air out SLOWLY before removing the collar, so your neck muscles can re-engage gradually.

Hint: the air bubble thing you squeeze has a twisty knob on it that I didn't notice at first. Twist it to let the air out very gradually (instead of just pulling the bulb off). The clamp (shown midway up the hose) isn't too useful, but that's no big deal.

I've purchase three of these over the last five years. It will eventually start leaking if you use it often and it's generally not just a single hole, but a series of thin spots that become bubbles and then begin to leak, so it's not really something that can be easily repaired.

Knowing that it will stop working eventually has not dissuaded me from continuing to buy new ones. The first one lasted about two years, the next one lasted a year, but we used it a lot more. The relief this thing gives me is as good, if not better, than a trip to the chiropractors office or a massage, but it costs a fraction of either one of those so it's completely worth it for me to buy a new one every year or so. In the long run, I'd probably be shocked and amazed if I found a product that was actually well made, so I guess like everyone else I've learned to live with poor quality products.

A couple of things you should know before using this device:

* Pump it up slowly. If you pump it up too fast it can really pull your muscles. If you are looking for a product like this, your muscles are probably pretty stiff and your neck may even be in spasm, so be careful and give your muscles time to catch up as you use this pump.

* Make sure it's cinched fairly tightly around your neck before you begin. If it's loose it will tend to jam up under your chin causing your teeth to grind or making your jaw ache if you try to resist your teeth smashing together. If it's on snugly it will stretch the back of your neck more. I have a pretty small neck, so I have to criss-cross the velcro straps to get it tight enough. But even if it's on tightly enough, if you pump it up it too much it will probably cause your teeth to smash together anyway (sometimes I use a cheap biteguard with it and that really helps.)

* LET THE AIR OUT REALLY, REALLY SLOWLY! Give your neck muscles a chance to recovery slowly as you deflate it. If you just deflate it quickly or, worse, remove it before it's deflated, your muscles will tend to seize up from the shock of having to engage so quickly after being so relaxed. Deflate it a little at a time and consider lying down with your neck supported by a rolled up towel for a while after you've removed it.

The bottom line is that if you have a recurring stiff or achy neck, this neck traction device can be a life saver. I've always had a really bad neck (motorcycle accident as a kid) and it turns out that I also have a type of rheumatoid arthritis give causes degeneration of spine and joints, so I get some killer neck aches. But I've found that when I use this for 15 or 20 minutes my neck feels fairly normal for a few days and even sometimes for a few weeks afterwards.

If you buy this product, be prepared, it will eventually leak, but for me it is so worth it to buy a new one once a year or so.

I'm very good about answering questions on my reviews (I usually respond within 24 hours) so if you have any questions about this cervical neck traction device just leave them in the comments under this review.

This device has not been a miracle cure for my neck problems ( neither did I expect it to be), however my level of pain has decreased somewhat. The tingling sensation (which is the result of two radio frequency procedures) on the left side of my neck is 90% gone. Also, the numbness/tingling sensation on the arms has also significantly decreased. The clicking of my neck with every move is almost gone as well. Overall this was money well spent and look forward to further improvement with continued use.

This has proven to be one of the best purchases I've made since being in an auto accident. It has provided relief from headaches I have had since the accident (5.5 years). Outstanding product!!!

It is a very flimsy collar made of black felt. When you try to inflate it, it takes forever and does not stay inflated for any length of time. I bought it for my mom and had it shipped directly to her and she threw out the box and receipt. If I had seen it first I would have returned it. It didn't even come with instructions but it isn't hard to use. I work in a hospital and know how to operate that kind of mechanism so It isn't that I couldn't do it the correct way. Buy the As Seen on Tv one if you really want one. It was a little more durable.

I used it twice, slightly infated, while siting up watching TV (not a lot of strain was placed on it). The third time I tried to use it, it leaked like a sieve. I've had penny ballons stand up longer than this piece.

Or if you have arthritis as I have both in my neck. Naturally, it gets into my shoulders and shoulder blades and it is so painful when that happens.

I actually got this somewhere else but wanted to comment on this here as I purchase a lot of things from Amazon. It can get real tight so you have to be real careful how many times you pump the bulb. It keeps your neck straight so don't expect to be bending over or doing other things while you have it on. It's not very flexible but if it was, I doubt it would work as well. It does the job!

I get neck pain from biking. The pain is all soft tissue muscle spasm. I wanted a traction device that I could incorporate with my entire neck care plan. I like this one. It keeps my head in proper alignment. I only use it for 5-10 minutes. The only problem- I still can't figure out what part goes in front. It didn't come with directions.

My neck causes me so many headaches. This relieves it. It's comfortable, easy to use and is very portable. Great on an airplane. Great after a stressful day at work.