Cervical Neck Traction Device – 12-17 Inch

Wooking great for me. This unit is for sitting in a chair...for me. I'm 79 and have a real professional traction unit, therapy grade but I can't get down on the floor that easily and probably can't get up. So this is a nice option for sitting in a chair and stretch out my cervical problem.

I thought this thing was amazing because it helped me but it only gets four stars because I ordered another one at the same price point and it fixes my major complaint. This blue one has inferior Velcro. Having straps that stick well is crucial as you inflate this thing. They cheaped out on the hook and loop fastener. Try a different one.

I bought this device after speaking with my doctor and getting his recommendations for a self-managed traction option to help manage my cervical stenosis pain. I've got an over-the-door waterbag device, but it requires two people to use safely and to be honest, is uncomfortable. I wanted something that I could use more easily in conjunction with the over-the-door device, and after getting the green light for this type of product, ordered this particular option.It's delightfully comfortable, from putting it on through the traction period. The ability to control the inflation/traction is reassuring, and it's simple and easy to use by myself. The pillows are velvet-feeling and fit my neck nicely. I did have an issue figuring out how to inflate the device at first. The bulb that came with my set has an open hole at the end -- by design or perhaps there was supposed to be a stopper that I'm missing I'm not sure -- but once I got the hang of covering the hole while pumping, it wasn't an issue at all. The 'bead' was difficult to move at first as well, but after two or three uses is much more malleable. I can use the device without problem, and I can feel a difference after a few sessions. It doesn't eliminate the pain, but it does help the pain management.This device does NOT replace my over-the-door device, but works nicely as an option in conjunction with that system, and is definitely worth it for the price. I'd recommend asking your doctor if you're using the device to manage any condition, as it does manipulate the spine, and am careful not to overinflate the device to the point of pain or difficulty breathing, but wouldn't hesitate to buy another of these if something happened to the one I have! I'm so thankful for a self-managing traction option to include in my pain management regimen!Oh, and the small ball that comes with the device is a delightful little device as well! Light yet firm, the small spikes are perfect for muscle massage in a variety of places, including my neck. It's definitely a great bonus to the traction device purchase!

EDIT: after some weeks, The Velcro is basically unusable and the pump popped out every time the pillow is full enough to do anything useful. It would be really effective if those things weren’t so bad, but I just can’t hold the pillows Velcro and the pump at the same time when I have pain from neuropathy in my hands that runs up to my neck. Such a bummer .First of all-if you have a way to check and verify idk-I NEVER DO REVIEWS. This pillow has honestly been a life-changing thing for me, I honestly believe (especially with everyday use FOR ME-everyone is different). Have you ever used a yoga roller and positioned it so that you get a suuuper deep stretch in your hip flexors that is almost euphoric? This is what I feel in my cervical spine area everytime I use this pillow. I waited a while to do a review to see if it held up and inflated efficiently over time, and sure enough, it has-even though the dang hose disconnect a every time I go to strap it around my neck. If you kind of LIGHTLY hold the Velcro areas while you’re inflating then it’s okay, otherwise add your own strong stuff.But you guys, I have pretty significant cervical lordosis, and in addition hold my stress in my shoulders/upper back. Even just traditional yoga stretching would trigger the WORST headache/nausea sensation a couple days after-so it didn’t really seem like there was hope. It was even hard for me to freaking relax my shoulders and let my arms hang normally because of how it pulled-I’d sort of turtle-up, if you can imagine that.Now, for me, you have lay flat on the floor and make sure your lower back in stretched and you’re PRESSING INTO THE FLOOR with your spine, and sort of make sure your shoulders are pushed down a bit further than normal while inflating. Once velcroed, I sort of pull the back of the pillow into that part of my lordosis where my neck curves in, and keep it there while I pump. First, you will feel great stuff lol, next, this amazing pulling/deeep stretching from the base of your skull down your neck (I’m laying here now writing this because I felt a little pop (good kind) in my neck vertebrate from being extended upward and I’ve NEVER been able to experience that. IT IS HEAVEN. Ok, but the BEST part, is after you feel it’s inflated to a good starting spot, you relax your shoulder and let them roll up towards your color bone naturally. OH MY GOSH. For me, this gives an almost-excuse me for saying-orgasmic stretching sensation RIGHT where I want it down my neck and the base of my neck, and downward into my whole upper back. The first time I did this, I’ll admit, I was afraid to let go completely because the feeling was overwhelming and there was the most intense-not painful-but BURNING stretch in the area where the pain was originating from in my shoulder blade to cause headaches/nausea.After only a couple days, YOU GUYS, I had a neck aagain; and could relax my shoulders down, and started to be able to practice turning just my head/neck side-to-side to the point that I don’t have a freaking weird long flab of skin because of skeleton wasn’t sitting right and my neck/pectoral/deltoid(?) muscles were able to be utilized properly and not hunched up!!! I was in tears a couple times, honestly. It’s always been a big insecurity of mine, and I feel like I have some control to change MY OWN BODY AND FEEL BETTER AT THR SAME TIME!!If you’re in the fence: get it!!!! You can always return if you find that it doesn’t suit your specific issues-but then again-MAKE SURE TO GIVE IT A COUPLE TRIES so you can position yourself how YOU will tell good. For example, my mother-in-law likes to pull the pillow up as she’s inflating behind her head so her head/neck are titled at and angle, because she reds a stretch in a different part.No matter what, it feel freaking amazing to be able to lay down at the end of a long, physically painful day (I also will sometimes lay on one of the acupressure mats-woah that’s awesome for real), and just feel the SENSATION IN YOUR NECK/SPINE WITHOUT HAVING WEIGHT OF YOUR HEAD CONSTANTLY SITTING ON IT. Honestly. I think just for that reason a line you won’t want to give this up-and the price isn’t too bad so you can even have it around for times when your hurting or need a little lightweight feeling.Guys, IVE NEVER written a review on Amazon (like if I have it’s been 2 sentences max YEARS ago) but look at the novel I just published lol. I’m forcing myself to do this because I feel like it could help someone else gain confidence, and be able to stand and walk so you feel loose and limber and sexy, and NOT have that weird nerve pain that I’ve lived with since I was a teen (does anyone know what I mean btw?) anyways. Best of luck, and I hope this product serves you like it did me.NOTE: since this is such an over-the-top review lol, I just wanna state that I’m not being paid in ANY way for this review, and don’t work for the company in anyway (I don’t even remember the name of the company to be honest without going back and looking lmao). Just trying to help my fellow people out there trying to make it everyday the best theycan, and hopefully turn people on to a way to relax, and feel some small (or big!) pleasure/relief after those hard days because we all deserve that in life :)LAST IMPORTANT NOTE: if you are getting a really deep stretch down your cervical spine and especially if you remain in that position for a while: BE SURE to start to slowly move your head from side to side and engage your core to lift your neck up very slowly when you’re getting up or else you could injure yourself easily. You’re starting to build new muscles in an area where they’ve been weekend for a while and just always be sure to be gentle on your body and go slowly. There’s no rush to work up to the place you want to be at but you definitely don’t want to injure yourself. I can just speak from experience when I try to set up after stretching between my shoulder blades for so long it feels really stiff almost and weak to lift and if I just roll my head and use the muscle that feels stiff to pick myself up slowly with my core then it builds strength and makes it easier and easier and protects you from injury. I promise I’m done now