By Dr. Doug Lukinuk, DC

The curve of the cervical vertebra is called the “Arc of Life” because billions of electrical messages need to flow from the brain to the body–unimpeded–to keep you alive.  Research shows that any loss of the normal curve in the neck has negative consequences to health, and severe loss will cascade into degeneration, arthritis and poor outcomes.

How do I keep my “Arc of Life” healthy?

Home traction, or extension traction to be more precise, is an easy way to reinforce your chiropractic adjustments, correct forward head posture, as well as reverse or prevent further loss of the normal curve. 

Home traction should be performed at least once a day (or more if possible) with morning and night being the best and most convenient times for most people’s routines.  Simply lie horizontally across your bed, shoulders at the edge of the bed-rail/mattress, and let your head hang using gravity.  This should be done up to 1-5 minutes/day depending on what you can tolerate.

Precautions:

Make sure that if you feel dizzy, nauseous, get a headache, or any other unusual symptoms to stop immediately and inform your chiropractor.  It is possible during traction to feel slightly light-headed, difficulty swallowing, or restriction of breath as the stretch is pulling the front of the neck and throat region. It may take a few sessions to get used to the position. Your total time interval will vary based on comfortability.

The triple action of cervical home traction, the chin tuck, and corrective chiropractic care improves neck posture, reduces symptoms, and achieves better outcomes for patients than any one intervention done alone. 

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