At-Home Traction (Dakota Traction)

Using The Dakota Traction

Important Information

This item is for use by carefully screened individuals upon professional prescription only. 
DO NOT let any one else use your Dakota Traction unit. Improper or unprescribed use of
this or other methods of extension traction may be dangerous to your health.

Your health care professional will instruct you in the proper use of the Dakota Traction and screen for conditions which may contraindicate use of this unit. These directions will serve as a reminder for the patient. They are not a substitute for professional evaluation and instruction. 

Discontinue traction immediately if pain, dizziness, or any other unusual symptoms develop, and consult your doctor.

Using Your Dakota Traction

1. Position yourself face up on the foam fulcrum with the top of the foam wedge at about mid shoulder blade level.

2. Check for proper positioning by allowing your head to relax backward into full extension. Be sure that your head does not touch either the floor or the foam fulcrum. If your head touches the floor, you may remedy this by placing a 1-2 inch thick book beneath the foam fulcrum. If your head is touching the foam, simply reposition yourself with the foam fulcrum at a slightly lower position on your spine.

3. Reach overhead and grasp the foam covered portion of the head band firmly with both hands.

4. Using both hands, simply lift the foam headband up and over your forehead and gently release. A properly adjusted unit will provide a firm but gentle compressive force to the forehead .... gradually bringing the head and neck further back into extension. If the foam head band tries to slip off the forehead you may move the knotted ends of the bungee cord to the upper notches in the retaining blade.

*NOTE : To start the bungee cord should be at the lightest setting which will provide a gentle compressive force.

5. Begin traction at the lightest force setting for three minutes daily or as suggested by your doctor.

6. Increase traction times one to two minutes daily according to your tolerance until you can traction comfortably for thirty minutes daily or as directed by your doctor.

7. Once you have achieved your target treatment time you may increase the traction force by tightening the bungee cord slightly about an inch in the retainer blade. (See Back)

8. After increasing the force it may be necessary to gradually work you way back up to your prescribed target treatment time. Your doctor or staff will be glad to assist you if you have any questions or problems.

9. NEVER attempt to substitute more force for less treatment time. The suggested time factors are necessary to allow your spine to relax into the corrected position. Trying to rush the process will result in poor results and possible soreness or injury.

10. Discontinue traction immediately and consult your doctor if you have any unusual pain or symptoms. 

Tips For using the Dakota Traction

Your New Dakota traction unit has been redesigned to make it more durable and easier to use. The newly designed retainer blade allows nearly infinite adjustments to be made to the amount of traction force applied to the spine. Adjustments can now be made easily with the patient in place on the Dakota traction. Traction force can be varied as minutely as desired, allowing the doctor to increase or decrease the amount of traction as desired.

As with the original model, the angle of compressive force can be varied from the upper to the lower position on the retaining blade to allow for better patient comfort. The unit comes ready to use with the bungee cord in the "upper" position on the retaining blade. This will prevent the headband from rolling off of the patient's forehead. Patients who are uncomfortable may find the lower position to be somewhat more comfortable.

Never let anyone else use or play with your Dakota Traction. Even well intentioned individuals may easily change the tension settings. Remember ... Always follow your doctor's directions and be patient with your spine. Gentle traction for long periods of time is far superior to forceful traction for brief periods.

To increase the traction force:

Shorten the bungee cord on the head band side of the retainer blade by pulling the bungee cord out of the retaining slots and shortening the length about an inch. Re-lock the bungee cord at the desired length by pulling it snugly back into the locking notches. Shortening the cord about an inch will usually be sufficient. Work back up to your target treatment time.

Remember: Never increase traction force until you have reached your . target time (30 minutes) or as directed by your doctor.

To decrease the tractioning force:

Unlock the bungee cord by removing it from the locking notch. Lengthen the bungee cord on the head band side of the retainer blade. Always remember to relock the bungee cord into both of the locking notches. To change the angle of traction: Remove the bungee cord from the locking notches of the retainer blade and reverse thread it in the end slots of the retainer blade. Start with the bottom notch and end with the top. What to do if the head touches the floor: Some very flexible or very tall people may find that the head touches the floor when fully extended backward. To prevent this simply elevate the foam cushion by placing a book underneath it. Any large book about 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick will do.

What to do if the head touches the foam cushion: Simply remove the headband and slide your body "up" on the foam cushion about an inch or two so that the head is completely clear of the foam cushion. After only a few practice sessions you will be able to consistently place yourself on the cushion at the same spot every time.