Patent ID: 8734372

Claim:
A traction device for imparting a forward curve to the cervical spine and reducing hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine, the device comprising: a frame adapted to be supported on a rigid support surface, the frame configured to be disposed about a user's head and neck and defining contact surfaces for abutting the rigid support surface, the frame having a neck support extending between first and second side portions of the frame; a first inflatable elongated bladder coupled to the neck support and configured to be positioned below a neck of a user during use, the first inflatable elongated bladder being expandable in a first direction outwardly from the neck support toward the neck of a user and expandable in a second direction substantially normal to the first direction upon inflation; a second inflatable elongated bladder coupled to the neck support and configured to be positioned below the upper thoracic region of a user during use, the second inflatable elongated bladder being expandable in a third direction angularly from the neck support toward the upper thoracic spine of a user upon inflation; a securing strap coupled to the frame and configured to secure the frame to the user's head such that the first inflatable elongated bladder is disposed adjacent the back of the user's neck and transverses the cervical spine such that the first direction of expansion is toward and substantially normal to the cervical spine, and such that the second inflatable elongated bladder is disposed adjacent the back of the user's upper thoracic region and transverses the upper thoracic spine such that the third direction of expansion is toward and substantially normal to the upper thoracic spine; and a pump system for selectively inflating and deflating the first and second inflatable elongated bladders, whereby upon the first inflatable bladder expanding in the first direction, the first inflatable bladder bears outwardly against the back of the user's neck as the first inflatable bladder is inflated and forces the cervical spine to curve forwardly, and upon expanding in the second direction, the first inflatable bladder applies an angular traction to the cervical spine and, whereby upon the second inflatable bladder expanding in the third direction, the second inflatable bladder bears angularly against the back of the user's upper thoracic region and forces the thoracic spine to decompress and reduces hyper-kyphosis of the upper thoracic spine.