Traction is an effective method for treating cervical spondylosis, but many people do not know the correct traction method, and adverse consequences often occur during the treatment process. For example, some people experience headache, vertigo, nausea and vomiting after traction, and in serious cases, fainting. Others experience numbness and increased pain in the upper limbs. Most people will experience neck discomfort or feel no therapeutic effect. It is not that traction does not cure the disease, but they do not know how to traction. Before traction, we must first find out what the purpose of traction is, whether it is suitable for ourselves, and which way to choose. Cao Yun, Acupuncture Department, Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Physiological effects of traction Traction has 2 effects: First, it increases the cervical spinal space, which is conducive to decompression of the intervertebral disc and correction of the distortion of the vertebral artery. The second is to adjust the size of the intervertebral foramen of the cervical spine, so as to facilitate the nerve root to reduce compression. The angle of the cervical spine: traction in the flexion position of the cervical spine can increase the intervertebral space and intervertebral foramen, and stretch the soft tissue behind the neck, which is suitable for patients with cervical spondylosis and intervertebral foramen deformation. Flexion of 15 degrees is the maximum angle to keep the physiological curvature of the cervical vertebrae straight and not to have retroflexion, so forward flexion of no more than 15 degrees is appropriate. Posterior extension traction is suitable for patients with altered physiological curvature of the cervical spine, with the aim of restoring normal physiological curvature. Neutral traction can be used for various types, but it is less targeted. 2. Traction force: traction force to achieve the cervical spine gap increase without causing muscle and joint injury as the purpose. Generally 2~3kg in sitting position and about 10kg in lying position. 3. Traction time: generally in 15-20 minutes. Too long is prone to muscle and ligament static injury. 4. Position: commonly used position is sitting, supine position. Supine position can make the posterior widening of the C4 to C7 intervertebral space more obvious, and the neck muscles do not have to support the weight of the head, so it is comfortable and the angle is easy to adjust. Sitting position traction position is not easy to stabilize, angle change is also small, but has the advantage of traction without friction. 5. Traction mode: can be divided into continuous traction and intermittent traction. Continuous traction in the whole process always maintain traction; intermittent traction is in the traction process there are several traction force reduction. The latter is mostly chosen by those who are old and have heavy conditions. The main groups for which traction is suitable are: cervical spondylosis, cervical disc herniation, change in the physiological curvature of the cervical spine, age 18 years or older (bones are not fully developed at too young an age), no serious osteoporosis, vertebral artery stenosis. Who is not suitable for traction 1. cervical spondylosis with serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. 2. Patients with severe degenerative changes of the cervical spine and bone bridge formation. 3. Patients with bony stenosis of more than 1/2 of the cervical spinal canal. 4. Patients with severe osteoporosis and vertebral artery stenosis. 5．Age below 18 years old. 6. Patients with cervical spine fracture and vertebral body slippage. Precautions for home self-traction When using a traction frame for home self-traction of the neck, it is important to emphasize that such traction should be performed only under the guidance of a physician and after being informed of the precautions. Inappropriate repeated traction can lead to relaxation of the ligaments attached to the cervical spine, accelerating degeneration and reducing the stability of the cervical spine. The damage easily caused by blind traction 1. static injury of cervical spine muscles and ligaments, the clinical manifestation is similar to that of a fallen pillow. 2. 2. Nerve root injury, numbness and pain in the upper limbs. 3. Small vertebral joint dysfunction, manifested as limited neck movement. 4. Distortion of the vertebral artery and reduced blood supply, manifesting as vertigo. 5. Dislodgement of vertebral artery plaque, which may cause lacunar cerebral embolism. 6. Occipital nerve injury, manifesting as headache. Therefore, before you prepare for traction treatment, it is best to go to the hospital and consult with a professional physician to choose the best plan for yourself, do not take the initiative.