Using Saunders Cervical Traction to Differentiate Cervical Spine & Shoulder Injuries

Super excited to be asked by Dr. Mark Callanen from Chattanooga Rehab to talk about the Saunders Cervical Traction Unit and how I utilized it in a case study and how I use it in the clinic for the treatment of cervical nerve root compression. I also use it to "tease out" cervical vs. shoulder dysfunction quite often. I hope you enjoy the webinar!
Need a Saunders CTU? Grab yours here: amzn.to/3znPzRq
Have questions about cervical traction? Leave it in the comments section.

[@mccarthy4718]

Acute C6/c7 disc herniation w/left foraminal nerve stenosis and bone spurs started July 18th. Severe shoulder blade/scapula pain with radiating to left tricep, elbow and down to fingers. Some weakness but not severe by any means. Pain driving and walking has been severely debiltating, just god awful pain. I have a C5/c6 artificial disc from 2016 and until July 18th not one single problem with cervical issues. Two rounds of prolozone within two weeks into that area trying to calm it down. Steroid pill pack for 6 days didn't touch it along with muscle relaxers. I have saunders traction device from years ago but it hasnt helped. Epi steroid injection into C6/C7 nerve on August 15th with no resolve so far. PT, Chiropractic activator gun hasnt helped either. Trying acupuncture on Tuesday to help control the pain. Considering peptides to try and get the body to heal and possibly some Wei laboratory chinese herbal patches in the future. Came across this video this morning and will try implementing your various inclination and tilting routines that I never have tried before. I didnt even know my traction device inclined. Thank you for the tips and If anyone else has any thoughts I would love to hear them. Both my surgeon and the Dr that did the steroid injections say this isn't surgical at this stage even though my pain sure says otherwise. This has been one humbling and demeaning month of pain. Foraminal nerve stenosis FAR EXCEEDS spinal canal stenosis like prior to my C5/C6 surgery.

[@divinesagittarius1613]

My left side from neck an inch in an half towards left my neck hurts if I look up my whole left arm gets numb and down to my thumb and pointer finger. I had an AFCD DOWN ANTERIOR FUSHION CERVICAL DISC NOW I CANT LOOK UP BUT MIDDLE FINGER WITH ADCF BUT NOW ITS SAME THING BUT WHEN LOOK UP ITS MY THUMB AND POINT FINGER IT Feels like I hit my Elbow all the time do I have nerve problems I thought was having an stroke was hospital for an day 2 make sure I have awesome insurance threw job helppp

[@johnsmith22334]

Would you say the Saunders cervical traction is safe to use for someone with ligament laxity and misalignment in their upper neck? I have recurring C1 misalignment (a bit of C2 as a result) and C1/upper neck instability. I also have a scapular issue on my left side; visually there is some scapular winging via prominence along the medial border, and pain can occur in that area/the rhomboids as well.
With the afflicted shoulder, I have full range of motion with my arm, generally without any pain throughout the full range of motion; however, if you were to compare both shoulders, the problematic one is elevated more than the other and appears to be positioned a bit backward. I cannot do all the tests myself, but am very weak with shoulder abduction and shoulder flexion, which is why I suspected it might be a C5-related issue or perhaps something else that mirrors this symptomatology.
This problematic scapula has been a chronic issue for years that came on progressively from weight lifting and physical labor. Unfortunately, in it's current state, exercising with it/lifting heavy things is virtually impossible. Several physical therapists with the standard protocol of exercises for scapular winging/weakness have never provided any help, and MRIs seemingly report back without issue. This further leads me to believe the problem is neurogenic, and perhaps related to C5.
There doesn't seem to be too many solutions, so cervical traction was something to try next, but wasn't sure of how serious C1 instability and misalignment is as a contraindication for cervical traction?