Home Exercise Program

These exercises are for practice members of HealthQuest Chiropractic and Wellness Center only.  Do NOT perform these exercises unless they have been prescribed to you by the doctors at HealthQuest. 

1.  Click Here for Posture Exercises

2.  Cervical Traction Instructions:

1.           TO BEGIN USE: Place the traction strap over the door. 

2.         Close the door and make sure the traction unit is secure.

3.         Sit on a chair with the traction unit being at the lowest part of your neck as possible(unless otherwise instructed to by the doctors). 

4.          The traction force is to your tolerance level. TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON YOUR NECK CAN CAUSE MUSCLE SPLINTING/SORENESS.

5.         In the first few weeks of your program, start with  2-4 minutes of continuous traction. As you become more comfortable, build up to 10 minutes of continuous traction. Continue with this program until the doctors recommend you stop.  Your progress will be monitored through regular re-examinations, and as you improve, the doctors will change your treament recommendations.

6.         As with any exercise/rehab program, STOP IMMEDIATELY if you feel dizzy nauseous, or faint.

What is Cervical Traction

Cervical traction is a simple chiropractic procedure used to correct the alignment of the entire spinal column.  It is considered a conservative therapeutic method of chiropractic.  The advantage of this kind of procedure is that it can be done at home, without direct supervision of a health practitioner.This is beneficial when one does not have the proper cervical curvature or a loss of cervical lordosis. This is often determined by a lateral cervical x-ray which shows the neck from the side. No curve or a "military neck" benefits from traction in the long term. With traction patients will see pain relief, increase in cervical range of motion and return to activities of daily living. Typically, traction is used as part of an ongoing comprehensive rehabilitation treatment program to improve activities of daily living, range of motion and mobility, and overall function. It is important to have other therapy and chiropractic for optimal pain relief.

Indications and Contraindications of Cervical Traction

Cervical traction is indicated for the diseases of cervical disc, osteoarthritis, and for accelerated extension damages as long as there are no post-traumatic lesions.  

For cervical disc disorders, traction can be used with or without root inflammations.  For back bone disorders without extensive neurological effects, this procedure should be applied conservatively.  It is also indicated for most neck injuries that resulted from traumatic motions.  

The procedure of cervical traction is generally safe, and there are no reported major hazards concerning the use of traction devices.  However, it is contraindicated for cases wherein patients have not undergone thorough orthopedic, neurological, and radiological examinations.  

Cervical traction is not recommended for neo-plastic disorders, cervical spine injuries having serious post-traumatic lesions, or for patients experiencing serious cervicobrachial discomforts mostly associated with gross neurological deficit.