What if traction therapy does not relieve neck pain?

Traction may not match the source of pain. Neck symptoms can involve muscles, joints, discs, nerves, posture, or pain referred from another area. The direction, force, duration, and position used during traction can also affect comfort. Worsening arm pain, tingling, weakness, headache, or dizziness after a session should be reported rather than pushed through.

Tell the physiotherapist or doctor exactly what changed during and after treatment. Bring the treatment schedule and describe pain location, arm symptoms, sleep disruption, and activities you cannot do. A clinician can recheck neck and nerve function, review the diagnosis, and decide whether to modify traction, pause it, or use another approach such as graded movement, strengthening, or education. Avoid unsupervised forceful neck pulling.

Get urgent help for new or worsening arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, severe sudden headache, fainting, confusion, fever with a stiff neck, or neck pain after significant injury. Seek prompt assessment for progressive numbness or pain with chest symptoms.

What is the most likely source of my neck pain? Are my nerve findings normal? Should traction be adjusted or stopped? Which movements are safe while the cause is being clarified?