CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Cervical traction may be used for Radiculopathy as long as the cervical spine has been cleared for any of the Recommended for Use information mentioned within the General Guidelines section. Traction may also be more beneficial when used with other modalities such as cold, heat, ultrasound, etc.

SUGGESTED SETTINGS

GENERAL:
Tension: 10 - 30 pounds (may be increased up to 7-10% of patient body weight)
Tension type: Sustained tension
Treatment Time: 10-15 minutes

VARIATIONS:
Upper cervical region = 10 degrees flexion (slide stand in upper most position)
Middle cervical region = 15 degrees flexion (slide stand in middle position)
Lower cervical region = 20 degrees flexion (slide stand in lower most position)
Intermittent tension setting: 2:1 up to 4:1 ratio of tension to rest (e.g. 2-4 minutes on, 1 minute rest)

SESSIONS PER DAY: 1-3

RELATED RESEARCH

Cervical Spondylosis by the Mayo Clinic
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the joints in your neck. Also known as cervical osteoarthritis, this condition usually appears in men and women older than 40 and progresses with age. Although cervical spondylosis affects both sexes equally, men usually develop it at an earlier age than women do. more

Cervical Spondylosis by AAOS
Neck pain is common in people older than 50 years, and may be a natural consequence of aging. Like the rest of the body, the bones in the neck (cervical spine) progressively degenerate with increasing age. Over time, arthritis of the neck (cervical spondylosis) may result from bony spurs and problems with ligaments and disks. The spinal canal may narrow (stenosis) and compress the spinal cord and the nerves to the arms. Injuries can also cause spinal cord compression. The pain that results may range from mild discomfort to severe, crippling dysfunction. more

Cervical Spondylosis: Diagnosis and Management by eMedicine
Cervical spondylosis is a common degenerative condition of the cervical spine. It is most likely caused by age-related changes in the intervertebral disks. Clinically, several syndromes, both overlapping and distinct, are seen. These include neck and shoulder pain, suboccipital pain and headache, radicular symptoms, and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). As disk degeneration occurs, mechanical stresses result in osteophytic bars, which form along the ventral aspect of the spinal canal. more