What is a CCCD (Cervical Curve Correction Device)?

Scientific studies have shown that loss of neck curve is a major cause of the chronic pain that so many suffer, but what can be done to correct this problem?

A CCCD  (Cervical Curve Correction Device) like the one shown below is a tested and proven health care tool used to stretch and strengthen the connective tissues of the neck back to its natural curve

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (MGPT) investigated cervical (neck) extension-compression traction with the purpose of establishing or increasing the cervical lordosis (neck curve) and concluded that an increase was in fact established in the majority of the treatment group. 

The home CCCD shown below is a lightweight cost effective version of the CCCD developed by the same Doctor who created the very CCCD used in this research study.  This product has been shown to effectively restore the neck curve in pre/post x-ray studies.

HOW THE HOME CCCD WORKS

A normal healthy posture when viewed from the side should reveal a position where the ear is balanced over the shoulder and the neck maintains a forward curved position. The normal neck curve is commonly reduced or altered due to trauma or poor postural habits. To return the neck curve toward a normal healthy position it is necessary to strengthen the muscles in the back of the neck and to stretch the damaged ligaments of the neck. The ligaments of the neck will “creep” toward a normal position just as the teeth do with braces.

Step 1:

• Place the plastic foot bar at the edge of the skirt.
• Drape the strings and head harness over the slope of the base unit and under the attached U shaped bar.

(Below: Base Unit)

Step 2:   

• Sit at the bottom edge of the base unit.
• Place the plastic foot bar under your heels, while keeping your knees bent at a 90 angle.

(Below: Depiction of Step 2)

Step 3:

• Lie back and position the neck support beneath your neck

(Below: Depiction of Step 3)

Advanced Applications:

• Remove the snap-on U shaped bar.
• Lie back over the base unit as the top edge of your shoulders are beyond the top edge of the unit.
• Now follow the same direction as in step 4.
• This advanced set up will cause your head to pulled back beyond your shoulders.
• This set up will better correct that common forward head postural displacement.

(Below: Photo of an advanced application)

Step 4:

• Reach over your head and grab the head strap.
• Place the head strap on your forehead
• Slowly extend your bent legs. This will begin to apply some tension to your head and neck that will cause your head and neck to stretch backwards.

(Below: Depiction of Step 4)

Neck Exercise Instructions:

• Remove the foot bar, ropes and head strap. Remove the snap-on U shaped bar and slide the U shaped bar (clip ends first) inside the base unit allowing, the end with the neck roll to be outside the base unit at least halfway. 
• Lie face down on the base unit and place your head under the neck support so that the neck roll is touching the back part of your head.
• Take hold of the U shaped bars with both hands. Slowly extend your neck and head upwards toward the ceiling. Hold that position for at least 3 seconds and then return to a resting position. Repeat this extension movement at least 10-20 times or until the muscles in the back of your neck are fatigued.

(Below: Example of a Neck Exercise)

There are three important factors to consider when attempting to change the ligaments that maintain the curves of the spine:

Duration: The amount of time the ligaments of the spine are held in a stretched curved position. The longer you hold a stretched curved position in the spine, in a given session, the more ligament “creep” will occur, resulting in better curve correction. Each stretching session should last from ten to twenty minutes.
Intensity: The more tension you place on the spinal ligaments, the better curve correction you will create. Always try to tolerate as much tension as possible.
Frequency: The more sessions you apply a stretch to the spinal ligaments, the greater curve correction that will take place. You should stretch the spinal ligaments at least once a day. Stretching the spinal ligaments several times a day should be encouraged.
 
We suggest that you consider all these factors with each stretching session. You can vary these factors within each session.

Do not confuse this type of neck stretching with the neck traction method commonly used with physical therapy. The important difference with this method of stretching is to re-establish a curve in the neck where other methods straighten the neck.