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Cervical Neck Traction is useful when you experience nerve symptoms in your neck or arm. Typically you may feel tingling, pins-and-needles, numbness and a deep ache in your finger(s). The area of finger symptoms and gives an indication to which level of the neck is affected. Most commonly it may be felt in the thumb ( C6) or index/middle finger (C7).
These techniques you can do at home. Likely the best place is at the edge of the bed.
1) The "patient" lies on your back with a pillow under. Try to avoid a very thick pillow as this tends to tilt your head forward/up into a "flexion" position. The "therapist" can sit on a tool or knee on the ground.
2) Place a firm but gentle squeeze to stabilize the neck, keeping your elbows by your side and gently lean back from your trunk to generate the traction force. Try to avoid using your shoulders/arms to pull as this is hard on you and also can potentially create too much movement. Try 15-20 second hold per segment, can increase up to 30 seconds as tolerated. You can probably carry out 10-15 repetitions. Try to start out more gentle and increase force gradually as tolerated.
3) The "patient" should try to relax the neck muscles completely and gives feedback about the pressure of the grip and force of the traction. Do not feel any increased symptoms in your neck/arm/fingers at any point.
4) For the suboccipital region ( the junction between the skull and your neck), you can change the grip as shown and carry out the same techniques.
These techniques should be relaxing and if you feel increased symptoms, please discontinue and see your health care providers.