Written by Brittany Ferri, OTR/L
Neck pain is a prevalent issue affecting 20-50% of people yearly. Cervical traction can provide significant relief for many sufferers. The cervical traction devices we've selected for this article are designed for easy home use, offering various designs to suit your needs. We'll guide you through the features to consider, list our top 9 devices, and answer your frequently asked questions to simplify your decision-making process.
High muscle tension, trouble sleeping, stress, depression, and expensive doctor’s visits are some of the many difficulties of living with chronic neck pain. You may be unable to perform daily activities, be irritable, and have mood swings. Your condition and your therapy plan's goals dictate the traction you need. Each at-home traction treatment has its own list of features and benefits, so you have options that will ensure you find the treatment that will work best for you.
Pneumatic devices, for instance, feature a soft foam cushion that cradles your head and neck, providing stability with a strap. With a hand-held control, you can direct the traction, gradually increasing the tension. This action pushes up on the head and down on the shoulders, providing a gentle yet effective stretch.
Wearable cervical traction devices serve as neck stretchers, relieving neck and shoulder pain and improving overall spine alignment. These devices can be worn during daily activities, helping to alleviate neck muscle soreness, stiffness, and tension on the go.
Over-the-door cervical traction is a popular and cost-effective option for home use. It involves wearing a harness, usually with a chinstrap, which is connected to a weighted bag suspended by a pulley system over a door. The weight pulls the chin harness upward, stretching the neck and relieving tension on the spine and neck. This method can be used while sitting or lying down.
Some people don’t need a lot of pressure to get a lot of relief. Cervical traction devices offering less than 10 pounds of pressure might be just enough to provide a comfortable and effective stretch. If you need more pull to stretch out chronically bound-up muscles, there are models with available pressure of up to 50 pounds. The usual range of treatment in physical therapy is 25-45 pounds.
Some models must be used lying down, some can be used while lying down or sitting up, and some can be used while walking around. For stationary models, some of the fuller featured designs have incline positions for your head to add to comfort and a more customized therapy experience.
Some cervical traction devices for home use are built for travel, are lightweight, and include carrying cases. Others prioritize maximum comfort, featuring additional padding. Some are designed for stability, securely holding your head in place while your neck is stretched. Higher-end designs offer multiple additional features beyond the basics.
A cervical traction device for home use augments, and can sometimes replace visits to a practitioner’s office to treat neck pain by stretching the spinal vertebrae and muscles to relieve pressure and pain. Tension pulls the head away from the neck, creating space between the vertebrae to relieve disc compression and allow the muscles to relax.
Improved sleep, decreased stress and depression, better range of motion and function, and pain relief are all benefits of cervical traction. People with pinched nerves, muscle spasms, herniated or bulging discs, arthritis, stenosis, trauma, and whiplash can all find relief from cervical traction decompression therapy.
Cervical traction is generally quite safe and shouldn’t hurt. However, a small number of people do experience headaches, dizziness, and/or nausea as their bodies adjust to the changes brought about by traction therapy.
A home cervical traction device mimics the traction machines used by medical practitioners, positioning the device to pull the head away from the neck and spine. The stretching decreases pressure between the vertebrae or on a nerve and provides pain relief while improving oxygen flow and hydration to injured structures.
Cervical traction treats different types and causes of neck pain, tension, and tightness. It helps relax the muscles and properly align the neck's structures, contributing to the relief of pain and stiffness while supporting improved flexibility and function.
Cervical traction is safe and should not cause any pain. Additional safety features that allow you to stop the device immediately provide an added layer of security to ensure the treatment doesn’t cause pain or exacerbate an injury.
Medicare Part B covers traction equipment as durable medical equipment when it is prescribed by a doctor for use in your home.
 | Pratos Five Position Cervical Traction Unit View Product |
The Pratos Five Position Cervical Traction Unit by ProMed Specialties is our number 9 pick for at-home cervical traction devices. This unit is designed to maintain a natural and comfortable posture, offering five different positions for effective pain relief. Its adjustable design can be easily customized to meet individual needs, enhancing cervical spine care and providing specific treatments for maximum pain relief. With a range of insertable legs, the Pratos can accentuate flexion, extension, or rotation as needed, making it a versatile and affordable home-use option.
 | Pronex Cervical Traction System View Product |
The Pronex Cervical Traction System by RS Medical, our number 8 pick, is a state-of-the-art device designed to treat whiplash and other neck-related injuries at home. It relieves intervertebral pressure through decompression, gently stretching the cervical region to reduce pain. Available in three sizes, it uniquely uses bellows technology to deliver cervical traction while supporting the natural C-curve of the neck.
The Pronex system provides inline and counter traction, ensuring even distraction in both the anterior and posterior cervical discs. A flexion wedge allows for lateral neck flexion of 15 and 22 degrees. Notably, this device doesn’t strain the temporomandibular joint; it applies pressure to the occiput and trapezius muscles instead.
Cradling the head and neck on soft foam cushions, the air-inflated bellows allow up to 35 pounds of adjustable traction. As the bellows expand, the user’s head is gently lifted, creating space between the vertebrae. A bulb pump controls the pace of decompression and air pressure release.
This portable, restraint-free cervical traction device requires no assembly and operates without weights, springs, levers, or cables, making it easy to use at home.
 | Neck Traction Device with Heating View Product |
The number 7 pick on our list is the Neck Traction Device with Heating and TENS Electrotherapy by Pain Management Technologies, which is a versatile tool combining three therapies for effective neck pain relief. This all-in-one pneumatic cervical traction device features heat and TENS electrotherapy for optimal comfort. It offers fixed-point cervical traction to relieve muscle fatigue, multiple heat modes to relax tight neck muscles, and adjustable TENS therapy to alleviate nerve pain. The full-auto mode option combines these therapies for comprehensive treatment. Controlled by a convenient hand remote with a digital display, this device is intuitive and easy to use, making it ideal for healthcare professionals and home users.
 | Over the Door Cervical Traction Set with Head Halter View Product |
The number 6 pick on our list is the Over the Door Cervical Traction Set with Head Halter by Fabrication Enterprises, a safe and convenient alternative for neck pain treatment. This cervical traction set, featuring a universal head halter, mounts easily over any door, providing high-quality cervical traction at home or in a clinic. The system includes a water bag and all necessary hardware for easy setup. The universal head halter adjusts for a customized fit and is machine washable for easy hygiene maintenance. Designed to treat neck injuries, pinched nerves, and cervical spondylosis, this traction set helps alleviate pain by decompressing the spinal vertebra and stretching the muscles.
 | ComforTrac Cervical Traction Unit by North Coast Medical View Product |
The memory foam head cradle and independently adjustable neck wedges ensure the traction provided by ComforTrac Cervical Traction Device by North Coast Medical is delivered in comfort. Our number 5 choice offers three levels of adjustable traction inclines at 10, 15, and 20 degrees for customized and appropriate treatment.
The easy-to-use hand pump enables traction force adjustments of up to 50 pounds of force, which is more than many other cervical traction devices designed for home use. It provides precision control of the traction process and has a quick-release button for safety, eliminating the risk of overstretching.
For people suffering from the effects of compression of the cervical spine, this cervical traction device can help eliminate pain from the very first treatment.
 | Cervico2000 Cervical Decompression Device by Meditrac View Product |
Our number 4 choice, the portable decompression system of the Cervico2000 Cervical Decompression Device by Meditrac utilizes three-dimensional traction forces to decompress the spine, alleviate cervical pain, and promote efficient healing. After starting with a medical professional, this device can move therapy to home use.
It’s designed to treat herniated discs, torticollis, whiplash, and other neck injuries. Using ambulatory traction, you can move around freely during treatment, with a session lasting up to 15 minutes a day while resistance is built.
This cervical traction device features dual traction levers for both symmetrical and asymmetrical traction, adjustable to suit individual patient diagnoses. It also offers customizable fittings to ensure an ideal match for each user. Traction on the move encourages exercise during treatment. Combining motion with traction simultaneously decreases pressure, enables fluid exchange, improves Range of Motion, and promotes recovery.
 | Theratrac Glide Traction Unit by Pain Management Technologies View Product |
Coming in at number 3, the Theratrac Glide Traction Unit cervical traction device for home use by Pain Management Technologies uses cables connected to a track to move your head up and down smoothly and comfortably. A user-operated dial controls the amount of traction, and the adjustable foam neck pads don’t constrict your head or neck.
Alleviating tension, muscle tightness, and pain, with this traction system, the neck remains at a 30-degree angle, and the traction is delivered with smooth transitions in elevation. It has a pad that is adjustable via knobs on the side. Pain associated with herniated discs, degeneration of the discs, and arthritis are all relieved with this cervical traction system.
With an attractive price point compared to other cervical/lumbar traction devices, this equipment allows plenty of room for the neck and is user-friendly with intuitive controls.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "NeckPro II Over Door Cervical Traction System") | NeckPro II Over Door Cervical Traction System View Product |
Our number 2 pick, The NeckPro II Over Door Cervical Traction System by Fabrication Enterprises, is convenient and portable. It has a comfortable head halter and provides relaxing, steady tension to provide quick pain relief for the user. This over-door traction system differs from most others in that it uses a compression spring and a ratcheting system rather than a complex system of bags or weights.
The cord-and-click system allows for easy adjustment of 1 to 20 pounds of tension, enabling precise tension with gentle, consistent pressure. You can hear the click that accompanies each tension increase, making it easy to find your preferred level of tension.
Steady, relaxing tension for near-immediate relief from many different kinds of neck pain. The second generation of the NeckPro is constructed with lighter materials than the first version.
This neck traction device treats fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, whiplash injuries, spondylosis, cervical radiculopathy, cervical disk herniation, and muscle tension and tightness in the upper back, shoulders, and neck.
 | Saunders Cervical Traction Device for Home Use by DJO Global View Product |
Ideal for treating whiplash or other neck-related injuries that can arise from extended periods of sitting, our top choice, the Saunders Cervical Traction Device for Home Use by Chattanooga can be used on most surfaces, including a bed at home.
It has a manually operated pump and gauge controller and comes fully assembled for safe and easy use. Designed to gently stretch and take pressure off the spine’s discs through decompression, it has a security belt and a frictionless surface for safe and smooth operation. It offers angle options of 15, 20, and 25 degrees.
It delivers professional-level treatment at home with up to 50 pounds of tractive force. While traveling, its handy carrying case makes it convenient to continue with regular treatments even when you’re away from home.
Neck pain from compressed nerves and discs can be debilitating, severely impacting your quality of life and ability to accomplish daily living tasks. Treatment of cervical issues can be cumbersome when it involves multiple office visits for physical therapy, causing some patients to forego treatment even when it can bring them great relief.
Fortunately, there are many quality devices that are designed specifically for home use that provide access to decompression therapy and the accompanying pain relief it provides in the comfort and convenience of your own home.
There are several designs to choose from, with the correct choice for you being impacted by the degree of traction you need, the location of your pain and/or injury, and where the traction device will be used.
The top pick on our list, the Saunders Cervical Traction Device for Home Use, is user-friendly, and designed for comfort and security while delivering effective treatment. With angle options of 15, 20, and 25 degrees and a force of up to 50 degrees, its versatility and portability make it a great choice for treatment anywhere.
Thank you for taking the time to review our list of 9 Best Cervical Traction Devices for Home Use. We hope it answered your questions and provided you with information you can readily use. For more information on traction devices available at Rehabmart.com, visit Caregiver University and read up on articles to help you make informed purchasing decisions!
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
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