A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The Applicant has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Further, no references to third party patents or articles made herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of prior invention.
The present application deals with an inventors' proprietary method of stretching the human body in order to ensure that for a human body to remain healthy and strong, it is important to maintain a balance between tension in the body and relaxation of the body. Exercise for stretching of the spine is necessary for the prevention of trauma and as one of the elements of therapeutic exercises. Stretching the spine through exercise on the “A POLE” stretching simulator allows one to make one's spine more flexible, it improves blood circulation, reduces muscle tension and pressure on the intervertebral discs, increases the elasticity of the ligaments and back muscles, which helps strengthen the muscular system and ligaments of the back. This exercise contributes to the implementation of therapeutic and prophylactic role in the fight against various back diseases. Because of everyday, constant stresses, whether they are static or stresses after physical exertion, power loads affect our back muscles, our spine as a whole. These stresses can be removed by using the “A POLE” simulator, which is subject to the present invention.
The method and apparatus for stretching, i.e., the so-called “A POLE” simulator, consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position, and where stretching of the spine is achieved through sequential changes of the inclines of the torso by moving the torso forward in increments of 5-10 degrees, then resting.
The invention relates to a simulator, the device is designed for decompression of the spinal column, maximally deep and effective stress relief, to reduce and alleviate pain from the muscles of the back, lumbar, cervical collar, muscles of the abdomen, chest, diaphragm, arms, intercostal frame, ligaments, tendons, release of the situs nerve.
Exercises on the simulator allow you to make the spine more flexible. Decompression and stabilization of the spine with the help of a simulator helps to align posture by stretching and lengthening tense and weakened muscles, helping to eliminate imbalances and pain. Reduces muscle tension and pressure on the intervertebral discs, relaxes and increases the elasticity of the ligaments, helps to relax and strengthen the muscle corset and ligamentous apparatus as a whole. Allows you to restore mobility and elasticity to muscles, ligaments and tendons, improve blood circulation of arterial, venous, lymphatic flow.
The simulator is an addition to traditional medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, manual therapy, physiotherapy, visceral practice and massage. The simulator is designed for people of different age categories and any body type or body shape or body state. It is used to reduce and alleviate pain, relieve stress for people of various professions (office workers, bank employees, accountants, computer scientists, drivers, teachers, military, musicians, builders, artists, doctors, salespeople, housewives, hairdressers, athletes, former athletes, seniors, retiree, for people with disabilities, etc.) all who need to relieve pain back syndromes, everyday tension of the back muscles, the entire spinal column.
Exercise on the simulator contributes to the fulfillment of the healing, therapeutic and preventive role in the fight against various ailments of the back and the body as a whole. Every day and constant stress, whether they are psycho-emotional, static and dynamic or stress after physical exertion, affect the muscles of the back, the spine and the body as a whole. The listed stress factors can be removed using a simulator to relax muscles, ligaments and decompression of the spinal column.
Regular exercises on the simulator at 3-5 minutes per day are possible at any convenient time. This simulator is one of the unique and effective ways to maintain and improve the health of yourself and your loved ones. Morning exercise on the simulator will give you the opportunity to balance your body for successful daytime activities. An evening lesson on the simulator is a great opportunity to relieve pain syndromes, daytime stress and fatigue, and prepare the body for a full sleep. Exercise on the simulator is also necessary for the prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome and as one of the elements of wellness, medical and preventive exercise.
The simulator for stress relief, muscle relaxation, ligaments and decompression of the spinal column, has a simple and effective technique, due to the relaxation of the muscles of the back and the entire torso. The simulator can be used in complex treatment under the supervision of the attending physician, as well as independently, use it for health-improving and preventive purposes. The design of the device in the form of a spine makes it possible to lengthen your spinal column without undue stress, unlike the usual other methods of stretching, which make you strain your arm muscles and shoulder girdle. This invention is easy to use, effective and safe, easy to store and has several modifications such as folding option for travel and option for people with disabilities. The present invention is specifically intended to stretch and relax the back muscles and decompression of the spinal column.
The method and apparatus for stretching, i.e., the so-called “A POLE” simulator, consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position, and where by increasing the forward incline of the torso progressively in 5-10 degree increments and holding a fixed position at 10-15 second intervals until a maximum stretching distance forward is reached, after which the user returns in the initial position by moving the torso backwards in 5-10 degree increments and holding a fixed position at 10-15 second intervals.
The purpose of the present invention is a device for decompression of the spinal column, the deepest and most effective stress relief, stretching and relaxation of the back muscles, abdominal muscles and chest. The aim of this invention is to provide a lightweight and durable device: for people with different physiques and body types; for people of different age and height; for people with disabilities (without one or both hands); for people traveling, a convenient transportation device, a folding option.
This invention overcomes the problems of the previous inventions in ease of use, in the method of stretching and relaxing the muscles. The simulator is a curved rod of solid material with holes in which two crossbars are inserted—from above and from below. On the lower bar are two soft shock absorbers. The upper bar is inserted into one of the holes in the upper part of the rod, depending on the growth of the user. The rod is bent to divert the simulator from the abdomen of the user.
The simulator is used as follows: the user sits in the middle of the chair, the body is facing up; the lower bar of the simulator with shock absorbers is installed in a corner organized by the stomach and hips of the user; with both hands outstretched, the user grabs the upper bar (the latter is installed as high as possible, using the holes in the upper part of the rod). In this state, when the body is tilted forward, a tensile force appears, applied by the upper bar to the hands and the lower bar to the pelvis and hips. The magnitude of the force is proportional to the angle of inclination of the body. The greater the inclination of the body, the greater the force. Under the influence of this force, the muscles and ligaments of the spinal column are stretched. By increasing the measured incline and keeping the user's body forward for several seconds, the spinal column is decompressed, the tension, stretching and relaxation of the back muscles, abdominal muscles and chest are relieved as deeply and effectively as possible. The invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the device and the accompanying drawings on which embodiments of the simulator are described.
The exemplary embodiment maybe further understood with reference to the following description. The exemplary embodiment describes a so called “A POLE” spine stretching simulator, which consists of one or two or more curved planks with several round apertures along the planks, which apertures serve for inserting upper cylindrical handles perpendicular to the planks, onto which cylindrical handles a patient holds onto with both of her/his hands, while pressing his/her forehead against the plank(s), thus stretching his/her spine, with the bottom ends of the planks containing round apertures for inserting lower cylindrical handles, onto which two foam rollers are pulled, in order to ensure comfort of the user when the roller is stuck into the crevasse or space between the upper thigh and the bottom of the stomach in the user's sitting position.
A user, in a sitting position, places the lower rollers attached to the round aperture on the bottom of the curved planks into the crevasse between the bottom of the stomach and the upper thigh.
User, sitting in the middle of a chair or another surface that may be used for sitting, where user's legs are bent at the hip and knee joints at an angle of 90°, with the back straight. Feet are at the shoulder width, parallel to each other, fully touching the floor.
The simulator' rollers are placed in the fold under the abdomen at the beginning of the thigh, on the ilium, at an angle of 30 degrees from the vertical plane. It is important not to rest the simulator on the thigh bone, but instead to stick it into the crevasse between the stomach's lower part and the upper thigh, i.e., where the stomach meets the thigh when the user is in a sitting position.
The user fixes the upper handle at a height convenient for the user, with the elbow joints being slightly bent.
User raises hands up, grabs the upper handle with the hands, with elbow joints slightly bent. The head or the forehead may be rested on the simulator's planks.
An exercise partner (such as an assistant, doctor, trainer) stands opposite the user and holds the top of the simulator, giving the user the opportunity to relax the upper body, without interfering with user's further exercise.
User starts slowly to move forward. On exhale, user slowly leans forward by 5-10 degrees, fixes the body in such position for 10-15 seconds, relaxes the head, the muscles of the back, the arms, and the abdomen.
An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies the user forward following user's bending forward, and slightly holding the simulator to fix user's torso for 10-15 seconds, without interfering with the exercise, for comfortable relaxation of user's muscles. Subsequent forward inclinations are performed slowly on exhale to the maximum allowable comfortable incline to the user.
An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies user's subsequent forward inclinations slightly holding the device, following the user and not interfering with the exercise. With any discomfort, the user may slowly return to the starting position.
Returning to the starting position is carried out slowly in the opposite direction without changing the position of the head, arms, trunk, legs. On exhalation, user slowly moves backwards by 5-10 degrees, fixes the body in such position for 10-15 seconds, and so on until the body returns to its original position.
An exercise partner (such as assistant, doctor, trainer) slowly accompanies user's backward movement, holding the exercise machine slightly followed by user to the starting position, slightly holding the exercise machine to fix the torso for 10-15 seconds, without interfering with the exercise, for comfortable, relaxing user's muscles.
In the initial position of the hands slowly lower down. The partner (assistant, doctor, trainer) holds the simulator, giving user the opportunity to lower user's hands down to rest for 1-1.5 minutes. User may repeat the exercise assuming the starting position and all subsequent instructions 2-3 times.
If the exercise is easy and user's physical fitness allows user to perform the relaxation exercise without discomfort, the user can take the subsequent initial position by fixing the handle one or two links higher at a height convenient for the user.
The principle of performing the exercise with an accompanying partner (doctor, trainer, assistant) or without him or her, does not change. If the exercise is performed confidently and easily and your physical fitness allows user to perform the relaxation exercise without discomfort, over time the user can do the exercise by oneself without assistance.
This invention is also designed for people with disabilities who are unable to grab the upper bar of the simulator, another modification of the simulator (M-simulator). The M-simulator is equipped with two straps or harnesses that hook onto the user's armpits, and the other end is attached to the upper crossbar of the M-simulator. The M-simulator differs from the previous one in two parts: the presence of two straps and the modified upper crossbar on which recesses are added to fix the straps on the crossbar. The mechanism of use and impact of the M-simulator does not differ from the above described main simulator. The crossbar of the simulator with recesses is for people with disabilities. Recesses are necessary for securely securing the straps on the upper rung.
The next embodiment of this device is for people who travel, it comprises the folding rod of the simulator. The exercise machine is compact, portable and convenient for transportation. Folding rod consists of two arcs. The arcs are interconnected on the one hand a strap hinge, on the other hand, a latch, for reliability and safety of the invention. When assembled, two arcs form a rod, which is the base. The use of the simulator remains the same, as previously described by us of the main device. The mechanism of use and impact of the folding simulator is no different from the main simulator discussed above.
The muscles involved in the methodology for performing exercises on the simulator “A POLE”:
Muscles of the Back (superficial+intermediate+Deep layers of intrinsic back muscles):
Cervical interspinales
Cervical intertransversarii
Lumbar interspinales
Lumbar intertransversarii
Rotatores brevis
Rotatores longus
Semispinalis capitis
Semispinalis cervicis
Semispinalis thoracis
intertransversarii
Spinalis capitis
Spinalis thoracis
Spinalis cervics
Longissimus thoracis
Longissimus cervicis
Longissimus capitis
Iliocostalis lumborum
Iliocostalis thoracis
Iliocostalis cervicis
Suboccipital and deep neck muscles
Obliquus capitis inferior
Rectus capitis posterior major
Rectus capitis posterior minor
Rectus capitis anterior
Rectus capitis lateralis
Obliquus capitis superior
Splenius cervicis
Splenius capitis
Longus colli
Longus capitis
Suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscles
Splenius capitis
Longissimus capitis
Muscles of Posterior Back (superficial)
Trapezius—Descending (superior), Ascending (inferior) and Middle (or all parts together)
Muscles of Posterior Back (deep)
Scapulohumeral (intrinsic shoulder) muscles
Deltoid—clavicular (anterior), Acromial (middle) and spinal (posterior)
Teres minor and Major
Biceps Brachii—short and long heads
Triceps Brachii—long, lateral and medial heads
Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (superficial)
Pronator teres
Flexor carpi radialis
Flexor Carpi ulnaris—humeral and ulnar head
Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (intermediate)
Flexor digitorum superficialis—humero ulnar and radial heads
Muscles of Anterior Compartment of Forearm (deep)
Flexor pollicis longus
Pronator quadratus
Muscles of Posterior Compartment of Forearm (superficial)
Extensor carpi radialis longus
Extensor carpi radialis brevis
Extensor digitorum
Extensor digiti minimi
Extensor carpi ulnaris
Muscles of Posterior Compartment of Forearm (deep)
Abductor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis longus
Extensor pollicis brevis
Extensor indicis
Intrinsic muscles of Hand
Opponens pollicis
Abductor pollicis brevis
Flexor pollicis brevis—superficial and deep head
Adductor pollicis—oblique and transverse head
Abductor digiti minimi
Flexor digiti minimi
Opponens digiti minimi
Dorsal interossei, 1-4
Palmar interossei, 1-3
Pectoralis Major—Clavicular and Sternocostal head
Sternocleidomastoid—sternal and clavicular heads
Longus colli
Longus capitis
Rectus capitis anterior
Anterior scalene
Rectus capitis lateralis
Splenius capitis
Levator scapulae
Middle scalene
Posterior scalene
Posterior crico-arytenoid
Lateral crico-arytenoid
Transverse and oblique arytenoids
Superior pharyngeal constrictor
Middle pharyngeal constrictor
Inferior pharyngeal constrictor
Transversus thoracis
Levatores costarum
Serratus posterior superior
Serratus posterior inferior
Internal oblique
Transverse abdominis
Rectus abdominis
The figures
In this position, a force triangle is formed with vertices at points A, B and C, where:
A is the center of the ball head of the human hip joint,
B is the center of the crossbar 2 of the simulator, captured by the hands of a person,
C is the center of the crossbar 5 with shock absorbers 3, which, through the soft tissues of the body in the abdomen and thigh muscles, abuts against the pelvic and femoral bones of a person. The crossbars 2 and 5 can also freely rotate relative to the rod 1.
Thus, a triangle is formed—ABC. The sides of this triangle are formed by:
AB—the spine and outstretched arm,
BC—the core of the simulator,
CA—the side is formed by the muscles of the hips, abdomen, femur and pelvic bones of a person. The femur and pelvic bones of a person are connected to each other by a ball joint. Thus, all three sides of the triangle ABC are connected to each other by articulated joints. This allows the triangle to change if one or more sides of the triangle change their size (length).
Consider the same scheme in the case when a person with a simulator leaned forward a certain angle without releasing the simulator—
In this case, another triangle formed—ADC, in which the hinges A and C remained in their places, and due to the inclination of the rod, the third vertex of the triangle moved to point D.
Due to its high rigidity, the length of the simulator rod did not change; the side BC and CD in both triangles studied did not change and are equal to each other.
For ease of analysis, these triangles
From
The indicator indicates to the user an approximate starting position for performing stretching of the muscles of the back and decompression of the spinal column. The basis of the improving therapeutic and preventive effect of the simulator is the principle of the implementation of manual therapy: relaxation, mobilization and stabilization.
Another embodiment of this invention is for people with disabilities who for some reason are not able to grab the upper bar of the simulator, another modification of the simulator (M-simulator)
The use of the M-simulator is shown in
The mechanism of use and impact of the M-simulator is shown in
The next embodiment of this device is for people who travel, the folding rod of the simulator is designed
Folding rod consists of two arcs. The arcs are interconnected on the one hand some strap hinge 7
The mechanism of use and impact of the folding simulator is no different from the main simulator discussed above
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms ‘first’, ‘second’, and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like ‘front’, ‘back’, ‘top’ and ‘bottom’, and the like in the Description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/771,023, filed on Nov. 23, 2018, the content of the entirety of which is explicitly incorporated herein by reference and relied upon to define features for which protection may be sought hereby as it is believed that the entirety thereof contributes to solving the technical problem underlying the invention, some features that may be mentioned hereunder being of particular importance.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62771023 | Nov 2018 | US |