What medical condition can cervical traction help alleviate?

Cervical traction is particularly beneficial for alleviating symptoms associated with herniated discs. This method involves gently stretching the neck, which can relieve pressure on the spinal discs and nerves that may be causing pain. In the case of a herniated disc, traction helps to create space between the vertebrae, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.

While muscle spasms can be alleviated by physical therapy techniques, such as stretching and strengthening exercises, they are typically addressed through other therapeutic methods rather than cervical traction. Cervical traction is specifically aimed at alleviating the pressure that occurs in spinal conditions affecting the discs, notably herniated discs, rather than muscle-related issues. This distinction makes cervical traction an effective treatment for conditions like herniated discs, where neural pathway compression is involved, rather than being focused solely on muscle spasms.