Home Care Neck Traction for a Patient With Neck Pain and Cervical Radiculopathy Symptoms: A Case Report

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to describe home care traction for a patient with neck pain and radicular symptoms. Clinical Features: A 30-year old male patient presented with a sharp pain in the left shoulder and lateral side of the left arm. Cervical spine motion was limited on the left side. Physical examination findings suggested radiculopathy on the left side. Intervention and Outcome: Home care traction exercise for the neck in the supine position was recommended to the patient. In this exercise, the person lay on the edge of the bed in a supine position. The head was at the edge of the bed and the feet were toward the center of the bed. The head and the upper torso were lowered from the edge of the bed so as to hang the head freely from the bed. This position was maintained for 1 minute. This exercise was done 6 times a day. After 3 weeks, the patient had relief from pain and became asymptomatic with this exercise regimen. Conclusion: Home traction exercises for the neck provided pain relief for this patient with cervical radiculopathy. This traction exercise seems simple, easy to learn, and reproducible. It can be done at home without involving any extra cost.