Abstract: In accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiment, a cervical collar includes a semi-rigid collar substantially conforming to the back of a neck, an occipital locking mechanism coupled to the semi-rigid collar, configured to generally conform to and engage with the base of a skull at the occipital or mastoid region without engaging the temporomandibular joint, jaw or chin of the skull and a traction mechanism coupled to the semi-rigid collar, the at least one traction mechanism configured to provide cervical traction through the occipital locking mechanism of the semi-rigid collar against the base of the skull without pressure against the temporomandibular joint, jaw and chin.