Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Is Neck Traction Dangerous

Having neck pain or a pinched nerve is a common condition that can cause pain to the affected person. Neck pain can cause pain in other areas of the body as well, including the shoulder and funny bone. A common treatment option for this type of neck pain is neck traction, which essentially pulls on the neck's muscles.


Home Treatment


Pain for neck pain is sometimes treated at home. The pain can be treated by pain medications such as Advil and Motrin. Some people choose to try a neck traction procedure instead.


Traction


Traction is done to help stretch out the neck or back and muscles found in the neck. It is thought to help restore the neck's curvature. However, it puts strain on the neck's muscles and pulls them out to an unnatural position.


Procedure








Take a rope and tie it to the end of a towel. Loop the rope over the doorknob. Tie the other end of the rope to the towel. Lie down facing up with your head near the door. Rest your head as if in a sling. Doing this for a few minutes at a time relieves pain and stretches the neck. In an at-home procedure such as this, so many things can go wrong and you can do even more damage to the neck.








Safety


If preformed incorrectly this procedure can be very dangerous. If someone happens to pull the door from the other end, the proceduce can strangle your neck.


Warning


Don't try this procedure before consulting a doctor, who may recommend professional help or other treatments instead. This procedure should not be attempted without medical consent. It could cause serious problems such as neck and head trauma if done incorrectly.

Tags: neck pain, cause pain, neck muscles, neck traction, rope towel, your head