Cervical traction collar

A cervical collar comprising:

• a semi-rigid collar having an interior surface;
• the semi-rigid collar further having a gap which maintains an unobstructed clearance between the cervical collar and the temporomandibular joint, jaw, chin, and front of a skull, front of a neck, and throat;
• an occipital locking mechanism on the semi-rigid collar, configured to generally conform to and engage with the base of the skull at the occipital or mastoid region via a closed front, the closed front at or below the horizontal level of the temporomandibular joint;
• and
• a traction mechanism coupled to the semi-rigid collar, the traction mechanism configured to provide cervical traction through the occipital locking mechanism of the semi-rigid collar against the base of the skull;
• wherein, the gap of the semi-rigid collar persists when the traction mechanism is engaged to provide cervical traction.

A method for using a cervical collar comprising:

• applying the cervical collar to a neck and providing a gap in the cervical collar maintaining an unobstructed clearance between the cervical collar and temporomandibular joint, jaw, chin, and front of a skull, front of a neck, and throat;
• engaging a skull with an occipital locking mechanism of the cervical collar via a closed front, the closed front at or below the horizontal level of the temporomandibular joint, and the occipital locking mechanism being conformal to the mastoid and/or occipital region of the skull;
• generating a force with a traction mechanism coupled to the cervical collar, and maintaining the gap in the cervical collar;
• and
• transferring the force to the skull at the mastoid and/or occipital region with the occipital locking mechanism.