How to Use a Pneumatic Neck Brace

Neck pain can be caused from various activities or ailments.

Pneumatic neck braces wrap around your neck and fill with air to relieve pain or involuntary muscle contractions in the neck. Pain and contractions can be caused by a variety of factors, including old age, stiffness, injury or nerve damage. If you have pain in the neck area, a pneumatic neck brace can help, and knowing how to properly use one can help prevent further damage.

Instructions

1. Twist open the deflation knob on the hand pump attached to your device to ensure that it is fully deflated. Wrap the deflated pneumatic brace around your neck so that the

   Velcro strips meet at the front and the curved shape is cradling the back of your neck.

2. Strap the Velcro strips together and twist the deflation knob closed. Sit in a chair with your back lined straight with the back of the chair and look at a focus point in front of you.

3. Squeeze the air pump 10 to 15 times until you begin to feel a little stretching in the neck area, and the back of the brace is inflated enough to allow you to lean your head back on it.

4. Take a deep, relaxing breath and slowly squeeze the pump 15 to 20 more times so that you feel the muscles stretching more and a slight amount of pressure is applied to muscles. At this point you should be able to loosen muscles and let the brace hold your head up.

5. Sit with relaxed muscles in the brace for five minutes. If you begin to feel any new pain, let the device deflate. Repeat these steps twice a day for a week, then you can do them three times a day for periods of 10 to 15 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• These instructions are for moderate neck traction. If you feel you need more or are still having pain, see your health care provider. Providing major traction to your neck at home without doctor approval or training is dangerous and could cause harm.

• If during traction you feel any new or increased pain, discontinue use until you have seen your doctor.

• Never sleep with the pneumatic brace on.

• If pain is from a new injury, you should see your doctor before trying to treat it at home, as injuries to the neck are gravely serious and require medical attention.

References

• Neck Pain Traction: Neck Pain Treatment With Air Neck Traction Devices
• Air Neck Traction: Instructions For Using The Air Neck Traction