Neck Traction Device for Neck Pain Relief, Neck Stretcher, Comfortable Neck Stretcher Cervical Traction, Inflatable Neck Brace, Neck Traction Pillow for Neck Decompression (Rose Red)

I know this type of product has mixed reviews in general, but this thing DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO. If you're at all familiar with getting traction from a physical therapist or masseuse, that's what this is mimicking. The cloth is a heavy-duty, plastic-y fabric covered in something like velveteen, and the pump is the same as what you'd find on a blood pressure cuff, dial-controlled release valve and all. While it isn't quite the same as having someone intuit how much pressure you need and gradually make that happen, this traction device does have good options for customizability. It has 2 velcro straps that connect in front of your neck, and the end with the loops is long enough that you can make it about as tight or loose as you want. Then you make sure the dial for the release valve is tightened and pump it up with the rubber manual inflator. Every squeeze makes it fill a bit more, which towards the fuller end, makes it increasingly tighter and taller. This is a great way to allow the user to gradually increase traction by filling it to a certain point and leaving it at that for a bit before adding a couple more pumps of air. I tend to actually finish by filling it as far as it can go on my neck, and afterwords it feels GREAT. Sometimes I can feel it all the way down to my tail bone, so I know it's working- not to mention all the little snaps I hear during the process. It looks real funny and it can make your blood rush to your head a little, and if you fill it too much it can put an uncomfortable pressure on your ears, but it pretty much is what you make it, and it's helped me with my chronic extreme tension issues immensely while I'm away from my PT office visiting relatives. Highly recommend!

I have used this inflatable device both when I have been in pain and when not and I can tell that it's not a replacement for inflatable travel pillows. It is not comfortable to use when there is no pain. However, when you are in pain, it does provide a good amount of support and has helped me carry on with my days without thinking too much about it. Since it is inflatable you can adjust the level of stiffness and support. I really like this product and I don't think you can go wrong with it if you know what you are doing.

I wanted to give this item 5 stars given how soft and useful this item is. However I had multiple issues with this item. I also found that the description on how to use it is not clear.I am going to start off with the description that is not clear. I was taught how to use this type of device by a professional. You can't just put it on and leave it on for indefinite periods of time. You have to build up a tolerance to this type of item which means start for 5 minutes and at an inflation level that is comfortable to you. You are not just realigning vertebrae, you are exercising the neck muscles around it. As with any exercise build up tolerance to it.The first issue I had with this was that the item would not fit around my neck comfortably with the straps on. The second issue I had was that I was unable to get this to inflate though I have used these types of items in the past and know how to use them. The third issue was getting it to deflate to a satisfactory degree.The first issue was slightly fixed by using the very end of one strap. If you try to go with no straps the neck traction device keeps opening up further and further into a "U" shape with little to no support being given to the neck. The second issue was fixed by trial and error to figure out where the blockage was. I could feel air flowing out but no inflation was happening. I unhooked the hose with air pump to multi-connector for the three different air pillows. Since I was able to blow them up manually (using my mouth), I figured out it was the main hose that was the issue. The main hose has bump in it that turned out to have the "floater" metal ball lodged in the hose instead of in the bump. I was able to dislodge the floater ball and then reconnected everything and got it to work. The third issue was fixed by rolling the pillows up from one end towards the valve like you would with almost anything inflatable. Its deflated size after use was substantially bigger than it was before use. I expect some air to stay but not quite that much.

I've gone to chiropractors for my neck before and they've used various therapeutic traction devices on me, so that's my point of comparison.Given that fact, this is a solid at home way to take some pressure off your neck joints and muscles if they're bothering you. The device comes in two pieces, with no instructions. Basically you attach the ball to the hose that sticks out of the neck portion and clockwise turn the bleeder valve before using the ball to pump it up.The first inflation takes a bit of pumping since it comes completely vaccum packed flat. Once its partially inflated, I put it around my neck and used the two velcro straps to secure it (these go in front). Once secured, I pumped until I felt I had fully filled the neck portion. When it was fully filled, the neck portion was pushing vertically on the back of my head and either side of my jaw. It's not a postion I felt I could be in comfortably for more than a few minutes, however in that time, my neck felt pretty stretched.My docking of 1 star (for a 4/5 total star rating) was because the velcro straps. The placement meant they were pushing into my face a bit at max inflation. I imagine each person's experience will be different, but that was mine. That and the limited time I could wear it lead me to that star rating. If it was comfortable enough for extended use, I imagine the therapeutic benefits would increase and the perceived value would go up. All-in-all, not bad for ten or so dollar SRP.