C-Trax Supine Cervical Traction Unit w/TMJ Halter

I was hesitant when I bought this, but also desperate for a solution to degenerative disc disease that cause my arms to go numb and painfully burn when I lay down to try to sleep at night. My chiropractor does manual traction on me at his office and this is the only way he can get enough room between the vertebrae in my neck to even be able to adjust me. He was going out of town, so he helped me pick out this device. I strained my neck doing yard work right after he left and I was unable to sleep for the first two nights he was gone. The next day I tried this device at 6 pounds of water in the AM and 8 pounds before bed. I slept like a baby the whole night through with no pain or burning!Pros1. It works, plain and simple!2. It's supine. The sitting up version doesn't work well because all our muscles are engaged to sit up. Laying down, everything relaxes and the traction can do a better job.3. The water weight bag is sturdy.4. It has an extra rope and handle that can be used to pull the bag up and release the traction when in position. This is helpful to getting out of it or using it to release and apply traction repeatedly. I keep it almost taught to catch the weight bag in the event of harness slippage or rope failure.5. The TMJ harness is quite comfortable and really does put all the pressure on the occipital.6. Affordable price when compared to the $300 plus devices.Cons1. It's a little big awkward to get into position, especially with a heavier weight bag. I put the harness on lying down and then have to rock back and forth sliding down while holding the bag with the rope in one hand until I'm far enough down to feel the traction. Then I release the bag so the traction is on the harness.2. It only works with a round door knob. If you have one of those long ADA door knobs, it will slip right off. Besides changing the door knob, a hook securely mounted at door knob height would work.3. The rope is tied onto the bag each time and I worry about it slipping off.Bottom line... it works! For that alone, it gets 5 stars! In the long run I will probably buy one of those $300 pneumatic cervical traction devices as they are easier to use. This device is a great short term solution to see if traction works.

THIS IS A MEDICAL DEVICE!!! DO NOT USE UNLESS DIRECTED BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!!!My physical therapist recommended this device and my doctor agreed. I tried one that went over the door. It helped but sitting up straight for 20 minutes was not comfortable. Lying down is much better.PROstretched neck allowing for gentle alignment of cervical and thorasic spine relieving pressure on bulging discs.CONas with the door version it is best if someone is around to assist in use. I have to hold 17 pounds of water with one hand while putting on the harness with the hand affected by a stroke. the instructions say to put on harness and scoot down until it pulls. This could cause serious injury.The rope and handle to pull the harness is longer than my arms.

I'm quite happy with it. I mounted the pulley to a cleat on the wall a little bit above the back of my easy chair. This allows me to sit in the chair, reach behind me, pull the collar down into position, velcro it in place and let it stretch my neck at various angles, simply by leaning the easy chair farther back or farther up. I had to reposition the main velcro strap on the back of the collar and I still have some difficulty with the collar velcro letting loose. However, this may be intentionally designed so as to reduce the risk of injury from too hard a pull. All in all, I'm quite happy.

If you can afford anything else give it a try have someone help you and make sure your hair is tied back andthe door is closed tightly. If you have a cervical spine injury you will need someone to help you lift andempty bag when it's full or will be in pain trying to set it up and remove. It shows 2 ways of using it on boxacross chin and under with two different halters but only comes with one. The idea is good, but archaicdesign and quality is poor.

I have both the TMJ and seated harness. I prefer the seated position much better because you can adjust the angle to find your sweet spot for most comfortable stretch. I'm glad I purchased this unit.

I have arthritis in the c-spine. I have used several neck traction; the Saunders Cervical hometrac traction $300, the inflatable neck traction, the inversion boots. All help, but have their pros and cons. But I like this c-trax traction because it does not hurt your jaw and can be used while relaxing in bed. I noticed my neck discomfort is surely less right after i use it, in the morning and at night. Very happy with this traction, I love it.

Too complicated to use easily.

The head strap broke before I could use it but had to have it sewed back together haven't tried it yet.