Pneumex PneuBack Chair User manual

Key Benefits
 Increase range of motion
 Stabilize the pelvis
 Postural changes
 Limited ROM
 Strength/recruitment issues
 Hyper/hypo mobile
 Post acute/chronic
Patent 6672998
Assembly Manual
Pneumex, Inc. 800.447.5792 [email protected]
Genuine Pneumex Equipment
PneuBack Chair™

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Distributed by Pneumex, Inc.
Protocols by Pneumex
Pneumex, PneuGait Foot Strap, PneuMAP, PneuBack
Chair, PneuWeight, PneuWalker and PneuVest are trade‐
marks of Pneumex, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Pneumex
All rights reserved
Visit our web site at
www.Pneumex.com
Pneumex, Inc.
2605 North Boyer Ave.
Sandpoint, ID 83864
Phone 208‐265‐4105
Fax 208‐265‐9651
E‐mail [email protected]
Rev 018
Revised July 17, 2018

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Contents
Preface & Liability ..................................................... 4
Indications /Contra‐Indications For use......................5
Safety Requirements .................................................5
Description and Use .................................................. 6
Air Compressor ......................................................... 6
Maintenance and Troubleshooting........................... 6
Pedestal Assembly‐Box 1.......................................... 8
T‐Base Assembly Box 2............................................. 9
Seat Assembly .........................................................10
Exercise Arm Assembly Box 3 ..................................11
Attach Air Cylinders .................................................12
Attach Control Panel Assembly ...............................13
Connect Air Hoses....................................................13
Testing The PneuBack Chair ....................................14
Specifications...........................................................15
PneuBack Chair Parts...............................................16
PneuBack Chair Protocols........................................18
Using Chair...............................................................18
Stabilizing Patients ..................................................19
Setting Resistance Levels........................................ 20
Set and Repetitions..................................................21
Preparation ..............................................................21
Position One‐Position Two.................................... 22
Position Three– Position Four ..................................23
Lumbar Exercise...................................................... 24
Lower Thoracic Exercise.......................................... 26
Upper Thoracic Exercise.......................................... 28

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Preface
This manual contains the operating instructions and service re‐
quirements for the PneuBack Chair system. The manual is de‐
signed for use by clinical staffuse and it is expected that the clini‐
cians will instruct their patients and clients in the proper use of the
system and its accessories. Please read the manual carefully, be‐
fore using the PneuBack Chair.
Liability Notice
Failure to follow the conditions set forth below shall absolve
Pneumex, Inc. from any responsibility for the safety, reliability, and
performance of this equipment.
Each operator must read the operator manual in full before using‐
the product for the first time.
Each independent user must be instructed in the proper use of the
system and its accessories.
The electrical wiring within the system's settings, and the electrical
installation of the compressor must comply with the applicable lo‐
cal or provincial requirements. The equipment must be used in ac‐
cordance with the instructions for use. It is suggested operators of
PneuBack Chair receive approved training and certification from
Pneumex, Inc. or their designee before operating the equipment.
Please call Pneumex at 800‐447‐5792 to find out more about our
training and certification programs.
Failure to follow these guidelines may produce a serious or
possibly fatal hazard or other injury.

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Indications for use
Acute and Chronic Backs
Back Pain
Ruptured Disc Herniated / Bulged
Chronic Headache / Upper Thoracic Tightness
Post Surgical
Osteoporosis
Headache
Excessive Forward Lean
Excessive Kyphosis / Limited ROM / Imbalance
Contraindications
Post‐surgical patients may need Doctors consent.
Safety Requirements
Read this manual in full before using the PneuBack Chair.
Do not start the PneuBack Chair until you are sure the patient is
properly secured.
Do not operate this equipment in the presence of flammable anes‐
thetic mixtures.
To avoid potential safety problems, use parts and accessories that
meet specifications given in this manual.
The compressor must be on an appropriate electrical circuit. Read
the manual supplied by the compressor manufacturer before using
the compressor with the PneuBack Chair.
Before each use, inspect the air tubing for damage, pinched areas,
and leaks. Inspect the power receptacle for damage. Do not use if
the integrity of these items is questionable.

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Description and Use
The Chair will stabilize the pelvis to help eliminate the use of stom‐
ach and leg muscles to hold up the back and encourage the use of
the smaller spinal muscles to support, and strengthen the back.
Once set up in the chair with pelvic and spinal stabilization provid‐
ed, the patient is asked to perform specific movements (not using
glutes, quads, hams or other areas of the back), and the re‐
education of the inactive or under active muscle fibers occurs. This
muscle recruitment is specific .
Air Compressor
The air compressor provides the resistance power for the system.
Refer to the manual provided by the manufacturer of the compres‐
sor for operating and service information. Drain the air compressor
at lest once a week.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Cleaning
Use a soft cloth rinsed in warm water to clean the exterior surfaces.
Disinfections
Use procedures established for your facility.

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Problem Possible Cause Solution
System will not run System Leak Check for leaks.
Replace as necessary
Compressor not set to
correct psi
Set compressor to 100
psi
Kinked hose Check hoses for kinks
Installed new con‐
trol panel, but sys‐
tem still leaks
Fittings are leaking Reseat or replace the
fittings
Installed new con‐
trol panel, but
system does not
work
Compressor not set to
correct psi
Check compressor
setting
Hoses not connect‐
ed, kinked or con‐
nected incorrectly
Check hoses inside
control panel. Be sure
they are connected
securely to the proper
fitting.
Schedule Service
No scheduled service is required. For service, call Pneumex:
USA & Canada: 800‐447‐5792
International: 208‐265‐4105
Preventive Maintenance
Routinely check the air hose, air fittings, and compressor for leaks.
Check the Velcro belts for fraying.
Trouble Shooting

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PneuBack Chair™
Your PneuBack Chair™ comes to you in three boxes
Pedestal Assembly
Box # 1
Lay pedestal flat on ground (on carpet or
cardboard to prevent scratching)
Locate air fitting inside bottom of pedestal.
See Fig 2 Remove the nut that is on the
side with the short hose. The air supply
fitting can be installed on the right or left
side of the unit, usually closest to Pneu‐
Weight outlet. Put fitting into the desired
hole on side of Pedestal base. Put nut back
on fitting and tighten. Remove short hose
and stand pedestal up.
See Fig 3
Fig 1
Seat Hooks
Air Cylinder
Air Inlet
Fig 3
Fig 2 Air fitting

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T-Base Assembly
Box # 2
Using the 7/32” T‐Handle Hex
Key wrench supplied, remove
the screw from each end of
gusset.
Position edge of one end of
gusset on the mark next to
the hole located on the T‐
Base.
Connect the Gusset to the T‐
Base by inserting the screw into the hole in bottom of T‐Base and
into the gusset. Tighten screw while keeping the gusset aligned
with the mark on the T‐Base. See Fig 5
Attach T-Base Assembly to Pedestal Assembly
Remove screw and washer B from end of T‐Base. Position T‐Base
assembly within a few inches of Pedestal See Fig5 Align T‐Base
assembly with screw A, begin to tighten screw into gusset, but DO
NOT tighten all the way. Leave
approximately a ¼ “ gap to allow
for next step. Elevate side of
Pedestal enough to turn Hex
wrench, insert screw B into bottom
hole of pedestal and then into
bottom hole of T‐Base assembly.
Tighten completely. Finish
Tightening screw Ainto gusset
Seat Assembly
Gusset
T Base
Alignment Mark
Fig 4
Riser
Fig 5
Screw A
Screw B

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Seat Assembly
Remove belt tie‐down from seat assembly then lay seat assembly
on floor with the cushion side down. Remove lock‐nuts from bolts
and position belt tie‐downs. See Fig‐6 . Put lock‐nuts back on bolts
and tighten completely.
Install Seat Assembly
Place angle adjustment axle on riser. Place seat weldment onto
hooks of the pedestal See Fig 7 then push down to completely seat
the axle into the hooks. Slide axle locks into position so that the
Velcro fasteners connect.
Belt Tie-Down
Lock-Nuts
Axle Locks
Fig 6
Fig 7
Riser
Angle Adjustment
Angle Adjustment axle

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Fig 8
Stabilization
Belts
Resistance Pad
Control Panel
Lumbar Roll
Stabilization Slider
Exercise Arm
Cervical Slider
Interchange Block Air cylinders
Cervical Exercise Block
Exercise Arm Assembly
Box # 3
Stabilization Pad

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Remove lock‐nuts from pivot bolts, See
Fig. 9 place pivot bolts so that the
threaded ends are even with the bronze
bushings. Pull positioning pins out and
twist 1/4 turn, lock into position.
Hold the exercise arm assembly in place on pedestal See Fig. 10
and tighten the pivot bolts completely (Then back off1/4 turn). Put
the lock‐nuts back on the pivot bolts and
tighten until they are slightly snug. Do not
over tighten. Unwrap the black hose from
the upright cylinder on the pedestal and
remove the connector bolt.
Extend the cylinder rod and insert it into the
back of the Exercise arm assembly. Install
the bolt and nut. Tighten securely using the
5/32” Hex Key and a wrench. See Fig. 10
Attach Air Cylinders
Remove the two nuts from one of the air cylinders, insert the
threaded end into the hole in the back of the Pedestal just below
the exercise arm. Put the large nut on, but DO NOT tighten yet.
Then put the small nut on all of the way. Turning the air cylinder
connect the stabilization pad to the cylinder rod.
Fig. 9
Positioning
Pin
Pivot Bolts
Fig. 10

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Tighten the large nut against the pedestal
assembly, then tighten the small nut against the
stabilization pad. See Fig. 11 Remove the two
nuts from the other cylinder. Insert the threaded
end of the cylinder into the hole in the cervical
slider, put both nuts on, large one first.
Tighten the large one against the cervical slider.
Extend the cylinder rod from the cylinder and
attach the interchange block ( found in the belt
Pack) by threading it on to the cylinder rod.
Square it to the slider and align arrows. Tighten the small nut
against the interchange block. See Fig. 11
Attach Control Panel Assembly
Remove four screws from underside of seat assembly. Sitting in the
chair the control panel is on the right. Feed hoses through
rectangular hole in seat assembly and over the air cylinder. While
holding control panel in place. Install and tighten the four screws.
*Note Control panel can also be placed on the left side of chair.
Call Pneumex for this procedure.
Connect Air Hoses
Install the blue hose from the control panel into the T fitting
attached to the air cylinder. Connect remaining air hoses to the air
fittings by matching the hose colors to the corresponding dots
*Note Clear hose connects to fitting with NO dot
Fig. 11

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Connect long black hose from back of pedestal to the air cylinder on
cervical slider. Then connect the long blue hose to the air cylinder
attached to the stabilization pad. Connect air supply to air inlet
fitting on base of pedestal. Carefully remove the protective paper
from decals . Install the Velcro belts (long belt for thoracic
stabilization).
Testing the PneuBack Chair™
Make sure regulators on control panel are turned ‘OFF’ by pulling
out (up) on knobs and turning them all the way to the left.
Connect air hose from compressor to the air inlet on the pedestal.
Make sure compressor is on and filled, then open valve on
compressor to allow air to flow to the PneuBack chair.
Turn the ‘Stabilization’ regulator slowly to the right until the foot
trolley moves all the way up and the stabilization pad moves all the
way out. The pressure gauge will show approx.10 PSI. Turn
regulator up until gauge reads approx. 80 PSI.
Unlock exercise arm by pulling out locking pin and turning 1/4 turn.
While FIRMLY holding on to the exercise arm SLOWLY turn the
'Lumbar' regulator to the right‐until the pressure gauge reads
approx. 10 PSI. Move exercise arm back and forth while watching
the pressure gauge. The needle in the gauge should move up and
down. Place exercise arm back into the locked position and turn
regulator up until the pressure gauge reads approx. 80 PSI.

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Height Width Length Weight
63.25” 35.5” 66” 180lb
Slowly turn the ‘Thor‐Cerv” regulator knob to the right until the
pressure gauge reads approx. 7 PSI. Push in and release the
interchange block several times while watching the pressure gauge.
The needle in the gauge should move up and down. Turn the
regulator up to approx. 30 PSI.
Let the PneuBack Chair sit with air pressure on for several minutes
while listening and checking for air leaks.
If an air leak develops during this step or any of the previous steps
contact Pneumex for assistance. You can lock exercise arm by fully
engaging plunger pin into #1 position hole.
Enjoy your PneuBack Chair™
If there are any problems , questions or concerns about the
assembly of this equipment please call Pneumex at 800‐447‐5792
Specifications

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 Exercise Pad
 Lumbar Roll
 Cervical Block
 Mobilization Wedges
PneuBack Chair™ Parts
PneuBack Chair Accessories:
St
a
Thigh Restraint Belt
Foot Truck
Seat
Thoracic Stabilizati
o
Foot Stabilization
Cylinder
Knee bolster
Control Panel

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Exercise Pad
Stabilization Bar
a
bilization Pin
Seat Belt
Pelvic Stabilization Pad
Seat Angle Adjustment Riser 13”
(Flattened) Position)
o
n Belt
Thoracic/Cervical
Exercise
Cylinder
Air Inlet
Positioning Handles
Pelvic Stabilization
Cylinder
Wheels
Lumbar
Exercise Cylinder
Velcro for
Mobilization Wedges

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PneuBack Chair™ Protocols
The protocols for the Chair are based on the initial patient evaluation, the
postural assessment, range of motion and the strength assessment. The
exercise protocols for each patient are generated by the software,
Pneumex Analysis that comes with the Pneu‐MAP™ however, the
therapist may want to alter protocols slightly because of initial patient
evaluation or after reviewing post‐exercise results.
Use of Chair
Follow the exercise protocol generated from the Pneu‐MAP™ for the
Lumbar exercise. There are three variables in chair position:
Minimal lumbar curvature‐protocol will call for lumbar roll (use ½ or full
roll). This will have the affect of inducing additional lumbar (lordotic) cur‐
vature.
Normal lumbar curvature‐protocol will call for normal lumbar exercise
(e.g., no lumbar roll with the Chair in it’s lowest position)
Excessive lumbar lordotic curvature‐exercise protocol will call for the
Chair in raised position. “Flattening” the seat angle will tend to reduce the
lumbar curvature while exercising. The protocol will not give you this, but
one of the most effective ways we have found for beginning with the per‐
son with extreme excessive lumbar curvature is using the Unweighting
system and abdominal recruitment with the Chair in the raised position.
The protocol is the same as for the acute/chronic, or limited ROM proto‐
col, just using the seat angulations differently.

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Stabilizing Patients In The Chair
Patients should always be warmed up before using the PneuBack
Chair™. CAUTION: Be sure all regulators are turned to zero before
putting anybody in or taking anybody out of the Chair.
1. Have the patient sit in the Chair with their feet up on a stool, and push
the sacrum firmly against the stabilization pad.
2. Secure the patient in the chair, with the waist belt holding the patient
firmly against the stabilization pad.
3. Have the patient lift their feet offthe stool and raise the foot plate to
the bottom of their feet. Turn the stabilization regulator until the foot
plate reaches a level that the patient can place their feet on it, with
their legs fully extended.
4. Secure the thigh strap in place. Have the patient relax their legs in a
straight, but not hyper extended, position. For patients who lack flex‐
ibility in their hamstrings, you may need to increase the flexion of their
knees.
5. Increase the stabilization regulator until the patient is secure. Most
patients will be securely stabilized at approximately 25 psi. The pa‐
tient should not be moving the foot plate or stabilization pad when
exercising.
6. To minimize trouble with legs collapsing inward once the stabilization
is engaged, always place a bolster pad between their knees. NOTE: If
stabilization cylinder extends in excess of 1/2“ patient should be
repositioned by moving them tighter against pad with belt tight‐
ened.
7. The patient should now be ready to begin the different phases of exer‐
cise.

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The stabilization may be released between sets if the patient finds
the constant pressure to be too much. If you let the stabilization
down between sets, be sure the patient does not slide down in the
chair. Re‐engage stabilization before beginning next level.
Hyper‐mobile Facet Joint
You will stabilize above this joint in order to strengthen that area.
Hypo‐mobile Facet Joint
You will stabilize below the joint and use body mass above to work
on mobilizing that area.
Setting Resistance Levels
The majority of the time, when someone does not respond postur‐
ally as we would expect them to, it is a result of the patient over
recruiting e.g., when we see an increase in lumbar/lordotic curva‐
ture that is unexpected, it is often due to fatiguing the upper
thoracic muscles and the patient begins substituting lumbar mus‐
cles to finish an exercise set. Our priorities on this are to achieve a
correct recruitment and ROM. Once a patient fatigues and has to
recruit elsewhere, we will end the exercise.
Beginning resistance levels are going to vary between patients.
Type of injury and size of patient are two determining factors.
Below you will find starting level for the average patient; adjust
accordingly.
Stabilization 20 ‐35 psi
Lumbar Exercise 25 ‐40 psi
Lower Thoracic Exercise 15 ‐25 psi
Mid Thoracic Exercise 12 ‐24 psi
Upper Thoracic Exercise 10 ‐20 psi
Cervical Exercise 6 ‐12 psi
Stabilization Lumbar Thor/Cerv