Axial unloading therapy device for cervical spine rehabilitation.

There is an ongoing need for therapeutic cervical traction to treat chronic idiopathic neck pain. A device was designed to perform low-load cervical traction (unloading) with the patient in an upright, seated, neutral spine position. A prototype device meeting these requirements was constructed. During subsequent use, several methods for assessing the outcome of such unloading were proposed, including radiographic images, cervical range-of-motion measurements and muscle EMG activity. The prototype and measurement methods were tested on a population of normal subjects. The results demonstrated that the device design is safe and effectively transfers load into the occipital region of the skull. The use of low-load cervical unloading induced lateral rotation and posterior lengthening of the spine. Device refinements were identified. The results demonstrated that the methods described may be safely employed on a patient population.