Abstract: Cervical collars and methods are disclosed. In the various embodiments, an apparatus may include a cervical collar positionable on a neck of a user. A front portion may include at least one extensible chamber and an opposing rear portion having at least one extensible chamber. The front section and the rear section are mutually removably coupleable. A method in accordance with the various embodiments may include positioning the cervical collar about a neck of the user, and positioning a mouth piece in the user to engage the dentition of the user. Selected chambers in the cervical collar may be extended to urge the collar into contact with at least one of a chin and an occipital region of the user. The neck of the user may be tractioned using a selected mobilization pattern.

Abstract: Traction devices, systems, and methods for their use provide simultaneous axial distraction and one of flexion, extension, or lateral flexion of the spine. The devices permit aligning at least a portion of the spine prior to traction. Traction is applied through air chambers configured and dimensioned to independently apply traction to the chin, and both occipital processes. Spiral traction procedures use sequential inflation of the air chambers, thereby providing axial distraction with spinal joint decompression and simultaneous paraspinal soft-tissue mobilization and/or manipulation. Automated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A spiral-traction device is disclosed that includes a neck and upper back frame attached designed to attached to a patient, and a portable or stationary reclining chair. The neck and upper back frame is used with the portable or stationary reclining chair. Both the neck and upper back frame and the portable or stationary reclining chair have inflatable and deflatable air chambers that can be controlled to apply spiral traction relax muscles and to release soft-tissues and decompress spinal-joint surfaces with specificity.

Abstract: An inflatable cervical traction device (10) comprising a C-shaped multi-ribbed inflatable hollow collar (12) having four separate chambers (14), (16), (18) and (20). Two of the chambers (14) and (16) are located at rear right and left locations of the collar (12), while the other two chambers (18) and (20) are located at front right and left locations of the collar (12). Structures (22) are for securing two opposite front ends of the collar (12) together in a releasable manner, to hold the collar (12) about a neck (24) of a person (26). A facility (28) is for pumping air into the four chambers (14), (16), (18) and (20) of the collar (22) to inflate each of the four chambers (14), (16), (18) and (20) at various pressurized amounts, so that the collar (12) can properly support the neck (24) of the person (26). An assembly (30) is for releasing air from the four chambers (14), (16), (18) and (20) of the collar (12), so that the collar (12) can deflate to be easily removed from the neck (24) of the person (26).