When a nerve is pinched in the neck, and arm and hand pain, numbness and tingling is the result, cervical traction is often very helpful in relieving the pressure from the nerve. The patient has his/her head placed in a “sling-like” device that is allowed to stretch the neck gently while a weighted bag gently pulls in the opposite direction. Instant results can often be felt, although more often 5-10 sessions of traction are required to feel the benefits. If this treatment works and the patient has a chronic condition, a home unit can be prescribed for the patient and the traction can be done in the comfort of your own home. In simple terms, this is stretching the neck to take pressure off the pinched nerves.