FAQs

What happens if the latex tubing breaks? 

It's possible that you positioned yourself too far from the anchor point which over stretched the tubing. No worries...just mail us back your Fisher Traction so we can either repair it or send you a new one!

Where else can I use Fisher Traction if I can't attach it to a doorknob?

Fisher Traction is designed with the red end anchor loop which can be placed around other stable/strong bases. You must ensure that the anchor point is approximately 36-40 inches off the ground about the height of a doorknob for you to receive the proper safe effect.

How long should I use Fisher Traction for?

You shouldn’t use Fisher traction for longer than 30 minutes at a time. Using it for any longer may cut off blood supply and cause numbness. It can also happen if you have placed yourself too far from your doorknob/anchor point which will cause an increased pull-force on your head.

Can I take Fisher Traction with me when I travel?

Fisher Traction is less than a pound, compact, and versatile enough for travel. It can be stored in your backpack, purse, glove compartment, office desk, briefcase, carry-on bag, etc. Fisher Traction has no metal that could be picked up at airport security. 

Fisher Traction is mobile and can be used virtually anywhere. All you need is a doorknob and some floor space, it’s as easy as laying down.

How is Fisher Traction different from other types of traction?

Fisher Traction has a "Utility Patent" for a new form of traction which utilizes "Negative G-Force Technology". The proprietary mechanism creates a pull-force that, actually "mimics" the natural characteristics of our muscles. This is the key factor in relaxing our muscle's resistance to pull and preventing the muscles from fighting the traction. The "Negative G-Force Technology" is able to simulate a state of zero gravity which in essence puts the muscles to sleep and allows the traction to reach the deeper tissues where the relief is needed. 

Our "Release Strap" is another one of the biggest differences from others and one of the most important components to Fisher Traction's ability to accomplish decompression. Other mobile or home traction units today only offer fixed traction with one set force that can't be interrupted. Fisher Traction accomplishes "Decompression/Rehydration (Imbibition)" of the spinal discs just like the large machines that are in Chiropractic & Physical therapy offices.

Fisher Traction has one of the strongest pulling forces of any mobile traction device for the neck or low back. Fisher Traction treats the neck and low back where our competitors only do one or the other. Fisher Traction also maintains the natural curve that we need in our necks and low backs during the traction process where most competitor’s contraptions force the curves out of your spine which is dangerous long term. Other traction devices supply insufficient pull if any pull at all, and do not compare in therapeutic value to Fisher Traction. This was the driving force behind my invention. Fisher traction is very comfortable, inexpensive and can be used anywhere at any time.

How often do I need to use Fisher Traction?

It depends on the severity of your situation. In the less extreme situation, we have had many patients use Fisher Traction on "as needed basis" for 10-15 minutes and they experienced immediate relief.

Using Fisher Traction as little as one day per week to help maintain regular good spinal health is suggested. If you are suffering from more severe or acute symptoms you should consult with your doctor first, but Dr. Fisher has prescribed Fisher Traction as much as two times a day for 21 consecutive days. If after 30 days and you have not improved, you may need to consult your physician/chiropractor.

How strong is Fisher Traction, and will I feel a pull on my spine?

Fisher Traction has the strongest pull of any mobile or portable cervical traction unit on the market. The neck device has been tested up to 40 lbs. of pull force, and the lower back unit has been tested up from 70 lbs(Standard unit) to 156 lbs(Stronger unit). of pull force. 

If I use Fisher Traction, can I stop seeing my chiropractor?

By no means is Fisher Traction a substitute for regular chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulation. Fisher Traction is a great addition to being adjusted. Patients feel the adjustments are easier if they use Fisher Traction prior to their adjustment.

Fisher Traction can help people bridge the gap between adjustments by maintaining their good spinal health through regular at home decompression sessions.

What types of conditions can Fisher Traction help?

Recent studies have shown that traction is able to create a negative pressure (like a vacuum effect) in the center of a spinal disc (nucleus). This negative pressure can reduce the size of some disc herniations/bulges taking pressure off adjacent nerves reducing pain, numbness, tinging and even help with muscle weakness. 

It can also help to re-hydration discs increasing their height which lifts adjacent spinal bones, opening canal spaces, allowing more room for the nerves to exit to prevent pinching from happening.

What are the benefits of the shoulder wedge?

The "shoulder foam wedge" raises the shoulders and drops your head further backwards enhancing the pull-force effects on the lower cervical spinal levels and upper thoracic levels (C5-T2). This also helps to maintain the normal neck curve which is super important long term. This wedge really helps with shoulder tension, shoulder blade area pain and headaches. Fisher Traction also utilizes shoulder wedges to maximize the treatment results.

What are the benefits of the knee wedges?

The foam "knee wedges" help to enhance the low back pull-force as the low back muscles and hamstrings are able to relax better with the knees bent. This allows the "Negative G-Force Technology" to reach the discs for decompression and relief the pressure off the spinal nerves. Very helpful with those who experience "sciatica" symptoms. Fisher Traction also utilizes knee wedges to maximize the treatment results.

What happens if someone opens the door while you are on Fisher Traction, can you get hurt?

The only way I could create the ideal pull-force angle for the neck unit was to have the user's head minimally 3 feet away from the door. No door is large enough to be opened into a user's head from 3 feet away. My low back unit is designed to be used with your feet pointing towards the door and your head away which naturally minimizes risks.

My traction is also designed to be used indoors. Most all bedroom, office and hotel room doors open inward which would cause my traction units to relax upon the door opening and preventing injury. Other devices placed on doorknobs that open outward away from the user which would increase the pull and could cause injury if someone on the other side opened the door unexpectedly or worse if your head is too close to the door it will you if opened.

Should I use traction or decompression if I don’t have pain?

This is like someone saying if I don’t have cavities why should I brush my teeth! Studies have shown that after a night's sleep, our disc heights are the largest and we are at our tallest…. due to our discs re-hydrating overnight. During sleep, our discs are freed from the compression forces of gravity and allowed to reabsorb water just like Fisher Traction creates through Decompression. Fisher traction creates a Negative intradiscal pressure which helps to suck water back into the discs just like sleeping all night. Why wouldn’t you want to give your spinal discs an equivalent to a good night’s sleep to your spine in a quick 10-15 minute session? 

Think of this like brushing your teeth, exercising and or eating healthy. Decompression regularly helps your spine fight against gravity and prevents problems from arising.

Why is the traction pull-force so important?

The human head weighs approximately 10 pounds. To accomplish a therapeutic level of traction you must overcome our spinal muscles and tissues natural resistance to a vertical pull/stretch on the spine. For traction to truly work the traction forces need to be  greater than the weight of our head and more than the muscles opposing resistance for the vertical forces to reach deep enough into the body where they can affect the key structures that need help the most, which are the discs, facet joints and remove pressure from the spinal nerves. Typically, a traction force less than 10 pounds of pull has little to no long-term therapeutic benefit to the neck and even less to the low back.

In addition, to achieve the desired outcome of “Decompression” and provide the discs with any necessary rehydration, there must be a strong enough pull force to create a “Negative Intradiscal Pressure (vacuum effect)”. Fisher Traction is unique in that the user can control their own traction pull force during treatments just below the maximum level our spine can tolerate and far above the minimal pull force required to create a negative intradiscal pressure. Fisher Traction has enough pull force strength to accomplish similar results to that received in chiropractic and physical therapy offices today. The low back traction pull force is between 70 & 100 pounds with the neck pull force at 40 pounds, 10 shy of the maximum of 50 pounds our necks can tolerate.

What is the difference between traction and decompression?

Traction is any pull-force applied to body parts attempting to separate or move than away from each other. Traction is typically applied in a fixed force or a gradual increase followed by a gradual decrease.

Decompression is a desired outcome accomplished through traction applied in varying degrees of pull-force over time that are followed by a period of rest for the purpose of rehydrating spinal discs with water. Discs need to be stretched to a state of "Negative G-Force" where a vacuum effect occurs inside the nucleus of the disc, followed by a resting period of "Re-Compression". Think of it as pumping water into your discs like a bicycle pump pushes air into tires.

Is this good for arthritis in neck/shoulders?

Yes! Fisher Traction is designed to help Degenerative Arthritis or DDD or DJD in the spine by preventing the dehydration of the discs and gravity compressing water out of them daily.

How well does this hang on a house doorknob?

It was designed originally for the common round house doorknob! The easy looping anchor goes around each type the same and works great! That's all I have in my office! We modified the loop so if Fisher Traction needed to be anchored to railing, other furniture, bed headboard, etc.… it can be too! Very versatile and safe.

How long is the Money Back Guarantee?

Fisher Traction comes with a 30-Day Moneyback guarantee. If you don’t like it, please contact CS at 714-550-0788 for return information and get a full refund less S/H.

Where do you ship to?

We are currently only shipping to the contiguous US. This may change in the future.

Can I wash my Fisher Traction unit?

The head harness on the Fisher Traction neck unit can be removed and washed. Simply remove the head harness piece, wash and dry, then it can easily be put back together. Just like a surfer's leash, the Velcro folds back onto itself after you thread it through the plastic buckle loop attached to the harness.