Saunders Cervical Traction User manual

Cervical Traction
User’s Guide

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For Prescription Only
Refer to User’s Guide
Caution
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.

1
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

2
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 sensation
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

3
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.
Angle
Adjuster
Hand Pump with
Gauge
Base Pad
Base
Adjustment
Knob
Headstrap
Neck Carriage
Head Pad
Top
Position
Middle
Position
Bottom
Position
Neck Wedges
Figure 1. Components of the Saunders Cervical Traction device.

4
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.)

5
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.

6
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.

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 recommend
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 maintained,
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?) 7

8
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 St. Paul, Minnesota.
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

reconditioned product without charge to Purchaser or to refund the purchase price of the
Product. In order to recover under this Warranty, Purchaser must send Empi written notice of
the defect (setting forth the problem in reasonable detail) prior to expiration of the Warranty
Period, and within 30 days of discovery of the defect. Upon Empi’s written request and
authorization, Purchaser shall return the Product to Empi, freight and insurance prepaid, for
inspection. Notice and return shipment shall be sent to Empi at Clear Lake Industrial Park,
Clear Lake, South Dakota 57226. Purchaser may request shipment approval by calling Empi
Warranty Repair Department on its toll free number 1-800-862-2343. In the case of repairs or
returns outside of North America, contact your Authorized Empi Distributor, or contact Empi
directly at 1-800-328-2536. Empi will not be responsible for damage due to improper packaging
or shipment. If Empi determines in its sole reasonable discretion that the Product contains
defective workmanship or materials. Empi will refund to the Purchaser the purchase price for
the defective product, or return the repaired Product or a replacement thereof to Purchaser,
freight and insurance billed to the Purchaser, as soon as reasonably possible following receipt
of the Product by Empi. If Empi determines in its sole reasonable discretion that the Product
does not contain defective workmanship or materials. Empi will return the Product to the
Purchaser, freight and insurance billed to the Purchaser.
B. This warranty is voided immediately as to any Product which has been repaired or modified
by any person other than authorized employees or agents of Empi or which has been subjected
to misuse, abuse, neglect, damage in transit, accident or negligence.
C. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH I, THE PRODUCT IS BEING SOLD ON AN “AS IS”
BASIS, ALL ACCESSORIES ARE SOLD “AS IS”, AND THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY
AND PERFORMANCE OF THE PRODUCT IS WITH PURCHASER. THE WARRANTY PROVIDED
IN PARAGRAPH I IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INITIAL PURCHASER
AND EMPI DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES HOWEVER, THAT NOTWITHSTANDING THE
FOREGOING SENTENCE IN THE EVENT AN IMPLIED WARRANTY IS DETERMINED TO EXIST,
THE PERIOD FOR PERFORMANCE BY EMPI THEREUNDER SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE
LIFETIME OF THE INITIAL PURCHASER. NO EMPLOYEE, REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF
EMPI HAS ANY AUTHORITY TO BIND EMPI TO ANY AFFIRMATION, REPRESENTATION OR
WARRANTY EXCEPT AS STATED IN THIS WRITTEN WARRANTY POLICY.
(This Warranty give Purchaser specific legal rights and Purchaser may also have other rights
which vary from state to state. Some states do not allow limitations of how long an implied
warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to the Purchaser.)
D. EMPI SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOST PROFITS OR MEDICAL EXPENSES
CAUSED BY ANY DEFECT, FAILURE, MALFUNCTION OR OTHERWISE OF THE PRODUCT,
REGARDLESS OF THE FORM IN WHICH ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE ACTION MAY BE
BROUGHT AGAINST EMPI (E.G. CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) THE REMEDY
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH I ABOVE SHALL CONSTITUTE PURCHASER’S SOLE REMEDY. IN
NO EVENT SHALL EMPI’S LIABILITY UNDER ANY CAUSE OF ACTION RELATING TO THE
PRODUCT EXCEED THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE PRODUCT.
(The Warranty give Purchaser specific legal rights and Purchaser may also have other rights
which vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the
exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation may not
apply to the Purchaser.) 9

Empi, Inc.
599 Cardigan Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55126-4099 USA
1-651-415-9000; 1-800-328-2536
www.empi.com
Manufactured in Mexico by DJO for Empi.
360365 Rev C; All Rights Reserved. © 2008 Empi 11/08
This product may be protected by one or more of the following U.S. patents
owned or licensed by Empi: #6,059,548, #D415,254, #6,171,273, #6,468,240, #6,899,690
as well as foreign equivalents. Other patents pending.
Empi’s EU Authorized Representative:
MPS, Medical Product Service GmbH
Borngasse 20
D-35619 Braunfels Germany
Tel: [phone]
Para ver la version en español ir a www.thesaundersgroup.com/translations/CHT_spanish.pdf
Pour le version francaise, allez a www.thesaundersgroup.com/translations/CHT_french.pdf
Für die deutsche Sprachversion gehen Sie zu www.thesaundersgroup.com/translations/CHT_german.pdf
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