Customer Reviews

TracCollar Neck Traction Collar - M/L (Blue)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

Note from two years later: Still delighted, but want to make two comments after reading other reviews: (1) this is NOT a substitute for over-the-door traction, but might well be a good substitute for other, more painful, more expensive, less-likely-to-ever-get-used pneumatic traction devices, and (2) the wide variation in experience with this makes me wonder if neck length is an issue, and I haven't a clue how one would measure that. Some people seem to feel a squeezing rather than a stretch of the neck and it makes me wonder if they have a long neck maybe?? Or perhaps neck circumfrence makes a difference? Just a thought....

delighted, Delighted, DELIGHTED !! I have long-term neck problems from rheumatoid arthritis and several accidents, with nerve impingement contributing to migraine and back spasm. I've long had a different pneumatic traction device prescribed by physical therapists after an accident, but it is difficult and uncomfortable to use (and must be used lying down.) This device is a joy. I am able to use it even while working. I awoke today with a migraine and associated spreading spasm that begins at the base of my skull and works it's way down to the middle of my back. By inflating the track collar for a few minutes every hour and keeping it on in between, I have avoided the intense spasms and have been able to keep working.

I first saw devices like this on late-night tv ads. Many that are similar to the one I saw on tv (3-7 stacked inflatable rings) look shoddily made and get poor reviews. (They look like a stack of inflatable children's pool rings, but with some type of fabric flocking.) This device, however, is quite different and very well constructed. It is essentially an inflatable cervical collar. The bladders are surrounded by foam, giving it the feel (and when not inflated, the function) of a nomal cervical collar. The air release valve is push-button as opposed to screw-type, making it very easy to use. The fact that the two bladders can be inflated separately means you can fine-tune the inflation to deal with an uneven head tilt, etc.

NOTE: Since frozen shoulders not infrequently accompany problem necks, one potential issue for some users would be that the collar buckles in the back. I have succesfully put it on by lengthening the straps, buckling in front, turning the collar, then tightening the straps. The straps are fairly long, so pulling them tight does not require as much shoulder flexibility as actually managing the buckles in the back. But once on and tight, the TracCollar is difficult (if not impossible) to turn to the front again to unbuckle. Since the TracCollar is shaped like a cervical collar, with a dip in front for the neck, using it backwards probably would put the neck in an orthopedically incorrect position.

Five stars plus +++

I do martial arts and am currently dealing with a herniated disc in my neck. I've been resting and taking medication for pain while I wait to see the doctor. I know that traction is part of physical therapy along with isometric exercises and range of motion exercises. I decided that I wanted to find an affordable and durable neck traction device that would provide some relief.

This TracCollar is it. It's comfortable and very well made (and comes with a carrying case). I like that each side - the right and left - has it's own pneumatic bulb control and is easy to inflate and deflate.

For me, it is helping to provide some temporary relief from numbness, pins and needles and a boatload of pain (although it doesn't kill all the pain).

Definitely a nice device to have and highly recommended.

TracCollar Neck Traction Collar - M/L (Blue)
I struggled over this decision because I did not want to have to buy multiple devices to find a something that works. I found a great product. It's an easy to use device that only takes moments to inflate and moments to take off and put away. No set up. No hassles. And I'm sure it has contributed to the reduction in nerve pain, twitching and discomfort I was feeling due to a pinched nerve between C5 and C6.

This is a very well designed, quality medical product. I have a "missing" disk, and arthritis to boot. Nerve impingement is causing weakness and pain in one arm. Periodic traction with this device helps a great deal; eliminates the pain and greatly reduces the weakness (waiting for surgery...eventually). You can leave it on for hours. Just a note of caution not to apply too much pressure. It is best to go slow; a mild or moderate stretch is all that is required. I would purchase the large size if your neck is anywhere near 15". DISCLAIMER: I am not a physician, and I believe that this device would be most safely used under the direction of a physician or chiropractor.

The collar works as expected I use it everyday. The customer service dept. is courteous and helpful. Makes sure to measure your neck accurately before purchasing, My traccollar is a bit big.

This traction collar is well made and allows for variations because of the dual pump system for either side. I have had it for one month now and it has helped to alleviate pressure on a slightly herniated disk in my neck. I highly reccomend this product.

I had high hopes for the TracCollar when I bought it based on the positive reviews. My neurosurgeon gave me an over-the-door traction device with a waterbag for a herniated disc (C5-C6). I have been using it for couple of months (filled to 20 lbs). When I use it, it provides a pretty substantial stretch. The TracCollar really didn't seem to inflate high enough to provide ANY noticable traction on my neck. It seemed to stabilize my neck, like a cervical collar, but I could not feel any real stretch/traction at all.

I do not recommend this device as a replacement for an over-the-door device. It just isn't strong enough.

This is a wonderful product and works exactly as promised. My guess is that anyone who says it hasn't worked for them has not used it properly because it works perfectly and lifts my head and takes pressure off of my neck and spine. I can feel it lift and relieve pressure clear down between my shoulder blades. I can't recommend it highly enough!!!

Purchased this product based upon other reviewers' comments. In theory it seemed to be the right solution. In reality it worked only reasonably well. When contrasting to regular over the door traction devices, it may be less cumbersome and easier to use, but I am not sure it is as effective overall. Within two weeks one of the products release valves stopped working properly and shortly thereafter the other failed. Not a great solution or value.

This product actually works when you have time to use it. I have disk narrowing in my neck from a bicycle accident when I was younger, gravity and age finally caught up to me. On days when I have a stiff neck and or headaches I will use the TracCollar for approximately 20-30 minutes while I am doing my devotions or just reading and will actually see immediate results the headache and stiffness will usually go away.

The only problem I have with the product is I must have a long, skinny neck or the collar is just too short for me I had to use the smaller size to fit correctly around my neck but when inflated it doesn't even touch the back of my head, so I have to use a folded bath towel under it before inflating to make contact with my head. If you do use a towel make sure you have equal thickness on the sides and none in the front otherwise it puts too much pressure on your chin and makes it hard to breath. For an inexpensive quick fix it is a great product especially for the price!

For long lasting results it probably needs to be worn twice daily but it also works as a quick fix.