How To Use A Saunders Cervical (Neck) Home Traction Unit
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Dr. Karin talks about her favorite home cervical (neck) traction device, the Saunders Home Traction Unit. As always, check with your health practitioner (which hopefully is one of our chiropractors at Drummond Chiropractic) to see if this advice is appropriate for you specific condition.
DISCLAIMER: Content posted contains generalized statements based on medical knowledge/product usage does not and is not intended to offer medical advice, diagnosis, or act as a prescriber of treatment. No promises, representations, or warranties are provided regarding the suitability of any of its content, products, or offerings for individualized self care.
One thing I found is to use a white crayon type marker to mark the zero point on the gauge. I then rotate the gauge to the prescribed setting; and pump the needle to the white marking. My living room has low light level, but now I can see the needle move to the right weight.
That is a great idea as I was cursing the dark trying to find my setting
Thank you
Nice video! Thank you
Thank you for watching 👍🙏
Excellent video.
Thank you. 🙏
Thank you Dr Drummond. I'm going to get a Saunders Cervical Traction Home Unit soon. This video is very helpful. 15 lbs of traction to start (which is about what I've had at the chiropractor's office) x 10 minutes, & release the traction VERY slowly after the 10 minute treatment.
You’re very welcome. Thank you for the comment! 🙏
Thankyou
This was prescribed to me years ago with zero guidance and I stored it away. Since I began periodic ablations for c-spine impingements I have been using it for transient occipital neuralgia after doing exercises and following your guidance have been able to address these without compromising my yoga, light weight and martial arts routines
Thank you for sharing. Hopefully it helps this video reach more people. 🙏
Dr. Karin, at what angle do you usually set the device? I have heard from people setting at 20 instead of default 15 degrees. Can you explain the effect of traction due to difference in angles
The higher the angle the more posterior structures are effected. So if you are trying to include stretching more of the posterior muscles, more angle can be applied. If you want to focus the traction on the discs of the cervical spine, usually 15 degrees is best. My general rule of thumb is to traction in a position that provides the most relief. Again, it is best to talk to your health care provider to see what is appropriate for your specific needs. Best of health!
Can it be used if someone have the following : "At C5/6, there is severe facet and uncovertebral arthropathy and a large
posterior disc/osteophyte complex causing severe central canal narrowing
with flattening of the cord. There is severe bilateral foraminal stenosis." Or is it not recomended ?
This is an option to talk with your healthcare provider. Cervical traction helps rehydrate discs providing more space between the vertebra. It is not likely going to help central canal narrowing if due to osteophytes. However, it can help with the occlusion caused by the disc. Overtime the bone may remodel if pressure is taken off. If you have nerve signs, you may not have the option to see if traction can help you as time is of the essence (you don’t want permanent nerve damage). Again, talk with your doctor to see if traction is an option for you. Wishing you wellness. 🙏
How does this device compare to the big decompression machines such as the Accu-SPINA?
Great question. Decompression works best if done for 10 minutes multiple times a day. This home unit makes this more practical. I would rather do 3-5 lighter traction treatments daily than one intense one daily. Just sitting and standing recompresses the spine, making it difficult to improve over time unless decompressed regularly and often.
Do you adjust the direction of prongs? or just keep it horizontal?
I set the prongs so they fit snug under the base of my skull without putting pressure on my neck. Careful not to squish your neck during traction. I hope this helps. Again, talk to your healthcare provider to confirm you are setting the traction device best for your specific condition.
Hello Dr. Karin, where can I buy this machine? And does it cure ulnar nerve issues?
This Saunders cervical traction device can be purchased from online medical supply stores. Even on Amazon. It tractions the bones in the neck, which will take pressure off the nerve rootlets of the ulnar nerve. So if your ulnar nerve symptoms are from disc or muscle issues in your neck, it will help. But if you ulnar nerve issues are coming from your elbow, forearm or hand, it will not. That is why it is important to be properly diagnosed by a health practitioner who specialized in this, like chiropractors.
I have three herniations and was wondering how long it took you to full resolve your symptoms. I am assuming at least 3 to 6 months or more used regularly. I’m at two months and my symptoms are greatly reduced no headaches no dizziness and once in a while tiny tingling. I cannot seem to go into extension much or everything flairs as I have kyphosis. Any advice on time and if the discs heal do you think attempting to restore the curve will be possible after that point? The is so much. Great video.
Thanks. Great question. I had 4 herniated discs and it took me 6 months for me to feel recovered enough to start strengthening. It took me 2 years to feel 100%. I still avoid extension (looking up) without supporting my head. I can do it, but it is vulnerable in that position. I traction and get adjusted once a week or so (more often if needed, like after traveling). I could probably do alright with monthly adjustments, but I have easy access to chiropractors 🤩 Sounds like you are improving and on track to a full recovery. Are you working on your kyphosis with extension stretches over a foam roller? If you are, keep your neck supported and avoid hypertension of your neck during this stretch. I hope you have a healthcare provider expediting your recovery. ❤️🩹
@@DrummondChiropractic Amazing response so thank you. Initially i was in rough shape, lots of bone spurs, hand weakness with 3 herniation's and yes going into extension makes it worse even laying on a dennerol or using a posture pump was worse. I bought your machine 2 months ago and being the aggressive or foolish person that I am I worked up to 20 minute holds on and off and achieved about 35lbs of pressure which did resolve most of the issues at the 9th week. I felt the higher pressures were able to access the lower discs which I could feel and I would start at 10lbs for 2 minutes then deflate slowly, 12 for 2mins and upward until the muscles relaxed enough to allow access to higher pressures.
The issue is I was foolish in the idea of more is better and pushed to 40lbs and went backwards a bit last week with a tiny bit of tingling so I am starting slow again and feeling better after a lower pressure protocol like you suggest. Its a long road and I think the bone remodeling over several years of this or bone spur surgery would enable extension and higher degrees of strengthening but that might be off the table at this point since it seems to create no benefit to try to create a curve in a kyphotic neck. I just do gentle slight extension but nothing forced or high angle. Thanks so much for your video!
I am glad you now realize more is not always better. 😁 Wishing you a speedy and full recovery!
@@DrummondChiropractic Finally hit 45lbs of pressure and I have full range of motion now. It really works over time. Now 30lbs feels like nothing. I hope you are feeling better too! Its like a new neck. lol
I have read that it takes at least 20 lb of force to show measurable disk separation. can I ask your view on that?
Depends on the person. This is why it is usually best to start at 15 pounds and build up to 25 pounds. See how it would be safer to start with “under tractioning” and build up to a therapeutic force. Does this answer your question?
@@DrummondChiropractic Thank you for replying. Is there any risk at 25 lb?
@@claus1225 As with any treatment there is a risk. You can over stretch a damaged disc, making it vulnerable to bulging further. This is why I stress it is important to have a health care provider to assist you in determining the poundage best for you. This is also why it is important to slowly release the pressure, so the pressure returning to the disc does not cause it to bulge out further.
Where buy, im from Indonesia, i have bulging disk
I do not know. They are available online. Good luck 🍀
It says to stop using the traction device if it makes pain worse, is this when using the device or afterwards ? Pain in my arm increased several hours later not during traction
I would check with your healthcare provider to verify you are using it properly. The traction causes hydration of the discs, so if you do an activity that compresses the discs after traction, more material can “bulge” or “leak” out causing more pressure on your nerves (causing arm pain). Again, confirm with your healthcare provider, but for some people, if their arm pain returns, they lay down and traction again to see if it helps. I had to traction 3-5x a day for the first couple weeks of my injury, but traction is not for everyone and can be harmful.
@@DrummondChiropractic thanks for the reply. I live in the UK and nobody uses them here so no one will give advice but was at my wits end after 7 weeks of constant pain. Have watched nearly every youtube video. To get tips on how to use it. I'm just taking it easy 15ib for 10 min at a time for a bulging disc.
How many times a day? Have you seen a chiropractor? Are you starting to get relief yet?
@@DrummondChiropracticmy DC uses the traction table on me three times a week. Do you think I could do it 3 to 5 times a day as you were doing for yourself? He would do it every day if I wanted.
AND my arm pain, upper back & neck pain continues regardless of adjustments or traction. Nothing works except staying flat on my back. I can be upright sitting or standing only few hrs. Sitting actually way less.
Narcotics level pain but I won’t take them & I’ve never seen like Lyrica help ANYone. Finally doing 800mg ibu 3x a day for 14 days. The first several hrs of each dose I get soooome help but the last 3-4 hrs it’s gone and I’m waiting to take next dose.
My life has been ruined. Can’t work as can’t even sit let alone be physical.
2nd pinched nerve too, in 3 yrs. Opposite side affected last time. Chiro did no good, nor the stim treatments nor the massage at the chiro’s.
This time-today actually, I gave up on chiro too. Haven’t done massage or stim at all.
Would love to try the Saunders! I’m looking for a credit card to buy it with. I HAVE to be able to work; quickly be in my car living 😔
where to get this machine?
Available on Amazon &/or medical supply websites. 👍
The air gage should be digital I can’t read the needle .
Call me old school and “green” but needles are less prone to failure and don’t need batteries (unlike digital). Wear your glasses. 👍
@@DrummondChiropractic LoL ! I can’t we’re my glasses there the kind that hang around my neck with a thick piece of plastic and a magnet in the front so I can take them off I got these kind so I don’t lose them, and or break them like I used to all the time when I had regular ones . I’ll have to get a magnifying glass with LED lights on Amazon . So it will be a Paine to hold that and use the pump with only one hand . They should make a model for Geezers that has a giant gauge about 3 or 4” across then I’d be fine . 😤🙄🤷♂️
You should have put your hair in a pony so we could see how the neck sits in the device
Place the neck wedges comfortably against either side of your neck so that as you pump, you feel the wedges press on the base of your skull causing decompression of your cervical spine. I hope this helps 👍
What This is machine price
In the USA it can be found new from $280-$400. It can also be found used on eBay.
I run 25-30lbs
Poundage required varies according to your size, weight, muscle mass and severity. This is why it is imperative to have a health care provider to help you determine the amount of traction that is best for your needs.
I did 34 today
I’m Gumby with how stretchy I am lol
I’m gonna try 36 next time
My whole upper back released
It didn’t stay but felt great a couple hrs
I’m in so much cervical radiculopathy pain any relief ever is a blessing
Narcotics level
I don’t take narcotics tho, and I’ve never seen the nerve drugs like Lyrica, help anybody.
I become your friend today
Can DC write Rx for this so Ins pays for it??
$400??
😬
I have prescribed cervical traction devices and some insurances pay for it. You can also use HSA (health savings accounts) to pay for it with a prescription. Another option is to buy a used one at a steep discount. You can find used ones on eBay.