Saunders Cervical Traction User manual

Cervical Traction
User’s Guide

English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Español . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Français . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Deutsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Italiano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Português . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Nederlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Svenska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Dansk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Norsk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Suomi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Türkçe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Ελληνικά . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

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Congratulations on your purchase of a Saunders Cervical Traction device.
Your new traction device is designed to provide safe and effective
traction (stretching) to the cervical region (neck.) Your Saunders
Cervical Traction device requires no assembly and is ready to use out
of the case. If you have questions regarding its use or to report any
problems, contact your authorized Empi Traction Dealer or Empi
at 1-800-862-2343.
Read these instructions completely before proceeding.
This device may contain one or all of the following symbols:
For Prescription Only
Refer to User’s Guide
Caution
Table of Contents
Warnings and Precautions .................................. 2
Indications For Use ....................................... 2
Contraindications For Use .................................. 2
Before You Begin ......................................... 3
Components............................................. 3
Preparing for Treatment .................................... 4
Applying Traction ........................................4-5
Hand Pump Operation ....................................5-6
Maintenance and Troubleshooting...........................7-8
Replacement Parts and Accessories .......................... 8
Warranty Information .....................................8-9
Cervical Traction User’s Guide

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Warnings and Precautions
WARNING: The sale of this device is restricted to individuals by
or on the order of a physician. The instructions provided by your
health care provider should be followed precisely. Do not exceed
the recommendations of your health care provider. Exceeding these
recommendations may aggravate an existing condition or cause
additional injury. Traction should never cause pain. A stretching sensa-
tion or some slight discomfort may be felt during treatment. If pain is
increased in the neck, back, arms or legs, or if you experience dizziness,
nausea or any other type of pain or discomfort during or after treatment,
discontinue use immediately and consult your health care provider
before further use.
Indications for Use
Depending upon the advice of your health care provider, cervical traction
can be used to treat these conditions:
 •osteoarthritis •muscletightness
 •headaches •jointstiffness
 •herniateddiscs •nerverootcompression
Contraindications for Use
Traction should not be used to treat these conditions:
 •acuteortraumaticinjury •rheumatoidarthritis
 •spinalinstability •spinalcordcompression
 •fracture •malignancy
 •infectionsandinflammatorydiseases
 •anyotherconditionsthatmaybemadeworsebymovement

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Components
Before You Begin
Review the guidelines you received from your health care provider
regarding the:
 •amountoftractionrecommended(neversomuchthatithurts)
 •duration(amountoftime)ofeachtreatment
 •holdandrelaxtimesifintermittenttractionisrecommended
 •numberoftreatmentsrecommendedperweekorperday
 •angleofpull
Remove earrings and any other jewelry or neckwear. Articles of clothing
such as ties, scarves, hats and bulky shirt collars or sweaters should be
removed since they may interfere with treatment. If you have long hair it
should not be gathered on the back of your head, as in a braid or bun,
since this will not allow your head to rest in the proper position.
Head Pad
Neck
Carriage
Neck Wedges
Angle
Adjuster
Top
Position
Middle
Position
Bottom
Position
Figure 1. Components of the Saunders Cervical Traction device
Hand Pump with
Gauge Base
Base Pad
Adjustment
Knob
Headstrap

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Applying Traction
1. Lie on your back, positioning your body so the neck wedges cradle
the middle or narrowest part of your neck and your head rests
Preparing for Treatment
1. Place the Saunders Cervical Traction device on a carpeted floor or
other firm surface. Check to make sure that the air hose is not
being pinched by the bottom of the unit. Make sure you have
enough room to lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Separate the neck wedges by rotating either of the black adjustment
knobs so that your neck fits easily between the wedges. You can
make additional adjustments after you lie down in the Saunders
Cervical Traction device. NOTE: Do not over-rotate the adjustment
knobs. This will result in stripping the internal gear.
3. Loosen the adjustable head strap.
4. Ensure the device is in the starting position - neck carriage should
be touching the base. If not, rotate the gauge housing to the
“RELEASE” position.
5. Set the traction angle prescribed by your health care provider by
squeezing and sliding the tabs on both sides of the Angle Adjuster
until it locks into place.
Angle Adjuster Positions: Top = 15 degrees, Middle = 20 degrees,
Bottom = 25 degrees
NOTE: If your health care provider did not specify the angle of pull,
leave the Angle Adjuster in the top position as shown (in Figure 1.)
6. Place the pump in a position so that you can reach it during
treatment.
7. Set a timer for the length of treatment (not included with your
Saunders Cervical Traction device.)
You are now ready to use the Saunders Cervical Traction device.

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Hand Pump Operation
Once you are secure and comfortable in your Saunders Cervical
Traction device, you will apply traction by pumping air into a cylinder
using a hand pump (Figure 3.)
Figure 2. Using the Saunders
Cervical Traction device
A) Close-up of gauge
housing.
B) Both in and out
motions of the
pump fill the
cylinder with air.
Figure 3. Hand pump operation
comfortably on the head pad (See Figure 2.) The neck wedges
should contact your neck midway between the tips of your earlobes
and the top of your shoulders.
2. Turn either of the adjustment knobs until the wedges have
moved firmly against both sides of the neck.
3. As you settle into the Saunders Cervical Traction device, the
neck wedges may slightly rotate and self-adjust to the contour of
your head and neck, or you can rotate the wedges manually as
needed for the most comfortable fit.
4. Secure the head strap over your forehead, just above the browline.
This strap should fit snugly.
5. Apply traction using the pump as described in the next section.

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Rotate the gauge housing of the hand pump to the “PUMP”
position. Begin SLOWLY pumping air into the cylinder by stroking
the pump handle all the way out and all the way in. Observe the
gauge to make sure you are staying within the guidelines provided
by your health care provider. When you have reached the desired
amount of stretch, rotate the gauge housing to the “HOLD” position.
Begin timing your treatment now, following the instructions of your
health care provider.
CAUTION: Do not exceed level of traction prescribed by your
health care provider. The stretch provided by traction should never
cause pain. Relax . . . let your traction device do the work.
When the treatment is complete, release the traction by rotating the
gauge housing to the “RELEASE” position.
CAUTION: Keep fingers away from the gap between the neck
carriage and base.
Undo the head strap. You should rest and relax for a few moments;
then move your head slightly up and down and side to side a few
times before getting out of the traction device.
NOTE: In the course of your treatment it is normal for a small loss
of pressure (by 10%) due to the relaxation of your spine. As this
occurs, add additional air to return to the prescribed force. If you
give too much traction, rotate the gauge housing to the “RELEASE”
position to let some air out of the system.
Review of Hand Pump Operation
1. “HOLD” - holds traction force at the desired level.
2. “PUMP” - fills the cylinder with air, increasing the traction force.
3. “RELEASE” - empties air from the cylinder during or after
treatment and prior to use.

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Maintenance and Troubleshooting
Maintenance
If you believe your Saunders Cervical Traction device requires
maintenance, contact your authorized Empi Traction Dealer or
contact Empi at 1-800-862-2343.
Cleaning
All surfaces of your Saunders Cervical Traction device may be cleaned
with a mild detergent or disinfectant. Do not immerse unit in water.
If unit is transferred between different users, all surfaces should be
cleaned using standard cleaning techniques paying particular attention
to the components that come in contact with the body; we recom-
mend using a new head strap.
Storage
Your Saunders Cervical Traction device should be stored in its
protective case.
Troubleshooting
The Saunders Cervical Traction device features a very accurate,
sensitive gauge. The pump is specifically designed not to leak in the
“HOLD” position. If you notice a drop in the gauge reading when in the
“HOLD” position it is probably because you have relaxed or moved
slightly. If this happens, return to the “PUMP” position and pump back
to the desired force, then reset to “HOLD.”
Proper operation of the Saunders Cervical Traction device requires
that the air system be virtually leak-free. If the traction force is not main-
tained, there may be a leak somewhere in the system.
Questions to Ask:
 • Isthepumpinthe“PUMP”positionwhenpumping?
 • Isthepumpinthe“HOLD”positionwhenreceivingtreatment?
 • Areyoulyingstill?(Anymovementwillcausefluctuation.)
 • Areyoupumpingslowly?
 • Areallconnectionstight(i.e.hosecap,lenscap,goodhose
  connectionatthecylinder?)

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Warranty
I. Warranty
Empi warrants the Saunders Cervical Traction device to be free from defects in workmanship
and materials for one year.
Empi will repair or replace, at its facility, any product found to be defective. This warranty does
not apply to any product damaged by misuse, or repaired or altered by anyone other than
Empi in Clear Lake, South Dakota.
This warranty is in lieu of any or all other warranties, expressed or implied. No person is authorized
to bind Empi to any representation of warranty other than those specifically set forth herein.
NOTE: Warranty period begins with the date of purchase from manufacturer for one year.
II. Limitation of Liabilities and Disclaimer of Warranties
A. Empi’s sole obligation in the case of any breach of its warranties set forth in Paragraph I
above, shall be, at Empi’s option, to repair or replace the Product with a new or factory
If the unit is leaking air, try the following:
• Checktheairhoseconnectionsatthecylinderandthepumpand
gently tighten as necessary. Do not over-tighten as the threads may
strip.
• Makesurethattheunithasnotslippedandgonetofullexcursion
(4”)
• PerformaPOPtest.Withnooneintheunit,pumpupthepressure
until the unit makes a loud pop (at about 50 lbs.,) then rotate the
gauge to the release position, and proceed with your treatment.
If you have any questions, please call your authorized Empi Traction
Dealer or call Empi Customer Service at 1-800-862-2343.
Replacement Parts and Accessories
Below is a listing of replacement parts and accessories. Please call
1-800-328-2536 for details and pricing.
DESCRIPTION PART NUMBER
Headstrap and Pads 700723
Hand Pump Replacement Kit 700472
Angle Adjuster 700724
Carrying Case 700725
Instructional DVD 802968
User’s Guide 360365