Neck traction, also called cervical traction, is a treatment that gently pulls your head away from your neck to create space between the bones. The pull can ease pressure on irritated nerves and discs. It may ease neck pain, stiffness and muscle tension. A physical therapist can apply it by hand, or a device can apply a steady pull. At home, the main options are over-the-door units, air-powered devices and traction pillows. Research reviews show it can ease neck pain in the short term. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist before you use a home device.
Key takeaways
- Neck traction gently pulls your head away from your neck to make space between the bones.
- Reviews show, at most, a small short-term drop in neck pain.
- Most sessions last 10 to 15 minutes, and traction should never hurt.
- Check with your doctor first, especially with osteoporosis, an unstable neck or a recent injury.
Does neck traction actually work?
Neck traction can ease neck pain in the short term, and researchers are still studying how long the relief lasts.
| Review | Trials and people | What it found |
| Cochrane review, 2008 | 7 trials, 958 people with chronic neck pain | The evidence neither supports nor refutes traction. Only 1 trial had a low risk of bias. |
| Meta-analysis, 2017 | 7 trials | Intermittent traction eased pain more than placebo right after treatment. Pain at follow-up and disability scores did not differ. |
| Meta-analysis, 2020 | 7 trials, 589 people with a pinched nerve | Adding traction to other care lowered pain by a small amount. The drop was too small to matter clinically. |
Cleveland Clinic notes that traction combined with stretches and physical therapy can improve neck range of motion in some studies. Few studies look at long-term benefits, so relief may be temporary.
What are the downsides of neck traction?
The main downsides of neck traction are side effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea, plus relief that may not last. Fainting is also possible. Too much traction can damage the spine or nerves, a physical therapist told WebMD. Cleveland Clinic says cervical traction has very few risks. WebMD's experts suggest trying traction with a physical therapist before you use a home kit.
Who should not do neck traction?
People with weak bones, an unstable neck, a recent neck injury or rheumatoid arthritis should not do neck traction without a doctor's OK.
Skip neck traction unless your doctor clears it if you have
- osteoporosis or another condition that weakens bones
- rheumatoid arthritis
- an unstable or hypermobile neck (cervical instability)
- a recent neck injury, fracture or surgery
- neck fusion surgery or hardware such as screws
- a tumor in your spine or neck
- a bone infection (osteomyelitis)
- an aneurysm or blocked arteries in your neck
- untreated high blood pressure
- a pregnancy
- claustrophobia or strong anxiety about being strapped in
How can I do neck traction at home?
You can do neck traction at home with an over-the-door unit, an air-powered device, a traction pillow, a towel and a partner, or the edge of a bed.
| Home method | How it works | Session the source describes |
| Over-the-door unit | A head harness connects to a rope and pulley over a door. A water bag weight or your own hand makes the pull. | Hold 10 to 20 seconds, release slowly, for 15 to 30 minutes |
| Air-powered (pneumatic) device | You lie on your back with the device under your head and shoulders. A pump slowly pulls your head away from your body. | Follow the device manual |
| Inflatable neck collar | The collar straps around your neck, and you pump it up with air. | 20 to 30 minutes, several times a day |
| Traction pillow | You lie on your back with the pillow under your neck, not your head. | Short sessions, as the manual says |
| Towel and a partner | A towel folded lengthwise sits at the base of your skull. A partner pulls it gently upward. | Hold 10 seconds, rest, repeat up to 10 times |
| Bedside traction | You lie face down on a bed at least 2 feet high, with your head and neck over the edge. | 60 seconds, once a day |
Over-the-door units work sitting, leaning back or lying down. Bedside traction comes from a single case report, the lowest level of evidence.
A traction pillow suits people who prefer to lie back. Our guide on how to use a neck traction pillow covers the setup step by step. The Thera Pillow is a cervical pillow with air-powered neck traction, heat and vibration massage. It has 3 traction heights, and short sessions are recommended.
A cervical pillow with air-powered neck traction, heat and vibration massage.
$129.00How to do neck traction at home safely
To do neck traction at home safely, get checked first, start gently and stop at the first warning sign.
- Get checked first. Ask your doctor or physical therapist whether traction suits your neck. Cleveland Clinic says a supervised trial in physical therapy usually comes first.
- Read the instructions. Read every instruction and safety warning before your first session.
- Start gently. Begin with gentle pressure.
- Use the setting your therapist gives you. Your physical therapist can set the right weight for an over-the-door unit.
- Keep it pain-free. Neck traction should not hurt.
- Release slowly. Let the pull off slowly at the end of each hold.
- Stop at the first warning sign. Stop if you feel pain, a headache, dizziness, nausea, numbness or tingling, and tell your doctor.
How long should you do traction on your neck?
Most neck traction sessions last 10 to 15 minutes, and some last up to 30 minutes. Intermittent traction alternates pulling with rest periods. Sustained traction holds one steady pull. Healthline advises against using traction for too long. The table above lists the session each source gives for each home method.
What should I do if my stiff neck doesn't go away?
See a doctor if your neck pain does not improve after 1 week of self-care. Our hub on neck pain relief at home covers other self-care options.
Stop traction and see a doctor if you have
- numbness, tingling or weakness in your arm or hand
- new or worsening pain
- vision changes or headaches
- pain that wakes you at night or gets worse when you lie down
- trouble walking or balancing
- loss of bladder or bowel control
- trouble swallowing or breathing
Call 911 for a fever and headache with a neck so stiff you can't touch your chin to your chest. Also call 911 after a fall, blow or accident if you can't move your arm or hand. Read more on when neck pain can be a sign of something serious.
This article is for general information and isn't medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a physical therapist before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have an injury or a health condition.
FAQ
Does neck traction help a pinched nerve?
Neck traction may help some people with a pinched nerve, also called cervical radiculopathy. In a trial of 86 people with a pinched nerve, exercise plus clinic traction lowered disability at 6 and 12 months more than exercise alone. At 6 months, the clinic traction group also did better than the group using exercise plus over-the-door traction.
How long does it take for neck traction to work?
Some people notice relief after 2 or 3 sessions. The relief may be temporary.
Is neck traction from a physical therapist different from home traction?
A physical therapist applies neck traction by hand or with a clinic machine and can change the angle of the pull. WebMD's home routine also includes a lying-down chin tuck, repeated 8 to 10 times.
Is neck traction the same as spinal decompression?
Neck traction is spinal traction for your neck, and Cleveland Clinic also calls it spinal traction. For your lower back, see our guide on how to decompress your spine.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, "Cervical Traction: What It Is, Types & Benefits" (medically reviewed, last updated 19 May 2022). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23093-cervical-traction (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
- WebMD, "What Is Neck Traction (Cervical Traction)?" (WebMD Editorial Team and Nichole Owens; medically reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD, 15 Jul 2025). https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-to-know-about-neck-traction (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
- Healthline, "What is cervical traction?" (Emily Cronkleton; medically reviewed by Gregory Minnis, DPT; updated 30 Jul 2019). https://www.healthline.com/health/cervical-traction (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
- Graham N, Gross A, Goldsmith CH, Klaber Moffett J, Haines T, Burnie SJ, Peloso PM. "Mechanical traction for neck pain with or without radiculopathy." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(3):CD006408. PMID 18646151. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18646151/
- Yang JD, et al. "Intermittent Cervical Traction for Treating Neck Pain: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017. PMID 27792118. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27792118/
- Colombo C, Salvioli S, Gianola S, Castellini G, Testa M. "Traction Therapy for Cervical Radicular Syndrome is Statistically Significant but not Clinically Relevant for Pain Relief. A Systematic Literature Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis." J Clin Med. 2020. PMID 33105668. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33105668/
- Fritz JM, Thackeray A, Brennan GP, Childs JD. "Exercise only, exercise with mechanical traction, or exercise with over-door traction for patients with cervical radiculopathy, with or without consideration of status on a previously described subgrouping rule: a randomized clinical trial." J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2014;44(2):45-57. PMID 24405257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24405257/
- Maharaj RG, Motilal S, Khan R, Rampersad F. "A No-Cost, Bedside, Self-Traction Maneuver for Relief From Chronic Cervical Radiculopathy: A Case Report." Cureus. 2023;15(8):e43963. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10515476/ (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, "Neck pain" (U.S. National Library of Medicine; reviewed 14 Jan 2026). https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003025.htm (accessed 11 Nov 2026)
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