This invention relates to a method for reducing an individual's weight. More particularly, this invention relates to a method wherein biologically active hunger control points and/or areas on the skin are stimulated in accordance with a predefined configurable cyclical schedule to reduce the individual's food cravings, thereby resulting in weight loss.
It is well established in the fields of acupuncture, reflexology, and applied kinesiology that the body has biologically active points which can be treated, for example, with needles or with the application of pressure, to relieve tension and to normalize the functions of internal organs and muscles. The fixed locations of these treatment points have been well documented for centuries.
Attempts have been made in the past to achieve weight loss in individuals through acupuncture treatments directed at their biologically active points. However, such approaches suffer from a number of significant disadvantages. First, because the vast majority of weight-loss related points are located in various areas on a person's head, utilizing acupuncture needles on those areas requires a great deal of skill and care, so as not to accidentally cause damage. Second, because acupuncture treatments must be performed by licensed and highly trained professionals, the length and, most importantly, frequency of treatments that a person can receive are a factor of that person's financial ability and schedule. Third, many people have a strong aversion to needles, and thus experience significant discomfort from acupuncture treatments. In addition, all previously known weight loss techniques involving interaction with biologically active points did not take into account the specific timing of treatments.
A novel advantageous approach, that addressed and overcame the disadvantages of all previously known weight loss methodologies based on biologically active points, was disclosed in the commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/273,064 entitled “HUNGER-CONTROL WEIGHT REDUCTION METHOD”, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety (hereinafter, the “'064 Application”). The '064 Application disclosed a method for reducing weight through use of hunger control which was effected as follows: two metal spherules are attached at predetermined points in contact with skin surfaces behind the ears of an individual. The points proximal to each ear are at mirror symmetrical locations relative to a medial sagittal plane of the individual's skull. At intervals during every day of one or more ten-day cycles, the spherules are rolled in contact with the respective skin surface points at a predetermined level of pressure and at a predetermined speed for a predetermined number of rotations. The '064 Application further disclosed that the stimulation of specific biologically active points on an individual in accordance with a particular schedule sends signals to the individual's brain via the hypothalamus and thereby changes the way the brain and the hypothalamus regulate their body's systems responsible for controlling hunger. The individuals to whom this technique was applied have found it much easier to conform to a prescribed food plan, leading to significant long-term weight loss. Furthermore, in contrast to previously known weight loss methods, the hunger control method taught in the '064 Application does not require the use of drugs or permanent dietary restrictions.
While the method disclosed by the '064 Application is advantageously effective, there have been a number of significant improvements made thereto in connection with additional research and practical implementation of the '064 Application methodology.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide significant improvements in the '064 Application weight-loss method.
A further, more specific object of the present invention is to modify the '064 Application weight-loss method to make it easier to use.
Yet another specific object of the present invention is to provide additional supplemental program components to the inventive improved hunger control method to enable long-term maintenance of the method's beneficial results, and to significantly increase the effectiveness of the improved inventive method.
These and other objects of the present invention are represented by the drawings and the accompanying descriptions herein.
In the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding or similar elements throughout the various figures:
A method for reducing an individual's weight through hunger control is provided, wherein predetermined biologically active hunger control points and/or areas on the skin are stimulated utilizing removably attached point stimulation elements (PSEs) (e.g., spherules, etc.), in accordance with a predefined configurable cyclical treatment schedule. Maintenance procedures are also performed by the individual, after a predetermined amount of treatment cycles, to maintain weight reduction benefits gained during the treatments. Additional optional features of the inventive hunger control method include application of at least one of: a chrono-sensitive dietary plan, psychological reinforcement, a physical activity protocol, and a vitamin and seasonally-selected herb plan.
As described above, the '064 Application disclosed a method for reducing an individual's weight through use of hunger control which was effected by attaching two metal spherules at predetermined biologically active points in contact with skin surfaces behind the ears of an individual. The points proximal to each ear are selected to be at mirror symmetrical locations relative to a medial sagittal plane of the individual's skull. At intervals during every day of one or more ten-day cycles, the spherules are rolled in contact with the respective skin surface points at a predetermined level of pressure and at a predetermined speed, for a predetermined number of rotations. The '064 Application disclosed a methodology for locating and selecting the desirable biologically active points in several zones behind each ear of an individual as well as instructions for how the points, hereinafter referred to as “Sadkhin Points” were to be stimulated and also provided a first schedule for hourly stimulation during days of a program cycle in addition to a second schedule (in 10 day cycles) for selecting the days during which the first schedule is to be followed.
While the method disclosed by the '064 Application has proven to be advantageously effective, as evidenced by commercial success of its application by the inventor thereof, there have been a number of significant improvements thereto made by the inventor in connection with additional research and practical implementation of the '064 Application methodology.
In summary these improvements include, but are not limited to the following:
1) A long-term plan for implementing the inventive method in form of a global program cycle, with individual periodic program cycles interspaced with maintenance cycles;
2) A maintenance cycle methodology for advantageously maintaining the weight reduction achieved during a previous program cycle;
3) A protocol for varying implementation of the order and quantity of program sub-cycles during each program cycle to maximize the effectiveness thereof based on an individual's response to the treatments;
3) A set of optional components for use in connection with program cycle treatments, that greatly improve the effectiveness of the program cycles, that include, but are not limited to: Restrictive Feeding, Behavioral Modification, Physical Activity Protocol, and Continued and Seasonal Nutritional Supplements;
4) Expansion of effective Sadkhin Points stimulation protocols used during program cycles as well as of the devices used to effect the stimulation (now referred to as point stimulation elements (PSEs); and
5) New techniques for optionally stimulating desirable biologically active points by manipulating zone areas surrounding the Sadkhin Points, rather than the points themselves.
In accordance with the above-described improvements, the method of the present invention achieves and exceeds all of its objectives to significantly increase the effectiveness of the '064 Application methodology, to enable long-term maintenance of the method's beneficial results, and to simplify its use and implementation.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
It should be noted at the outset, that the physiological mechanisms and principles on which the inventive hunger control method of the present invention is based, are described in greater detail in the above-incorporated commonly assigned co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “HUNGER-CONTROL WEIGHT REDUCTION METHOD”, (the “'064 Application”). In summary, the '064 Application taught application of metal spherules to predetermined biologically active hunger control points (hereinafter referred to as “Sadkhin Points”) on the skin surfaces behind the ears of an individual and rolled or rotated at those points in accordance with a predetermined cyclical schedule, to reduce that individual's desire to eat. This approach was based on the principle established by the inventor of the '064 Application and of the present invention, that stimulation of an individual's biologically active points in accordance with a specific protocol sends signals to the brain via the hypothalamus and thereby changes the way the brain and the hypothalamus regulate the body's systems responsible for controlling hunger. Referring to
Prior to discussing the inventive method in greater detail, it would be helpful to provide an overview of the Sadkhin Points, the stimulation of which during the various phases of application of the inventive method, is a crucial component of the present invention.
Referring now to
While the '064 Application taught the stimulation of the specific Points 302 to 504, in accordance with the present invention, as an alternative to stimulating the specific points when required by the program cycle protocol, the entire Zones 300 to 500, may be generally stimulated. While this approach is less effective than direct stimulation of the specific Points, it may be far easier to implement by certain individuals (for example those that lack manual dexterity necessary for selecting and manipulating specific Sadkhin Points). Also, optionally, rather than actively stimulating the Points, the Points may be stimulated passively, for example, by attaching a removable stimulation element to one or more of the points.
Referring now to
By undergoing periodic program cycles of the global program cycle 10, the participant can reduce their weight by a desired amount and maintain that reduction indefinitely, as long as the various requirements of the program cycles are adhered to, and the periodic program cycle are repeated as necessary (see
It should be noted that while a practitioner would typically be an individual, or a group of individuals, trained in the application of the global program cycle 10, a computer program (executed by a computer system) that is capable of, and configured for, emulating the decision-making capabilities of a human being, and that is supplied with necessary information about the global program cycle 10 and all necessary parameters and characteristics of a participant, can readily serve as a practitioner (either alone, under the direction of one or more persons, or, in a combination therewith), with respect to: (1) directing and guiding the participant through the global program cycle 10, and to (2) customizing the various parameters of the components of the global program cycle 10 to the needs and requirements of the participant, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as a matter of design choice or convenience.
Essentially, the global program cycle 10 begins with an initial program protocol 12, during which the participant interacts with the practitioner to configure and customize the various global program cycle components for the participant's needs and requirements, and most importantly during which the participant receives treatment in from of the program cycle and begins to reduce their weight. The initial program protocol 12 begins with program setup 14, during which, various parameters of the global program cycle 10 implementation are customized by the practitioner for the participant's needs and requirements, During program setup 14, the participant provides answers to a series of questions to establish the participants specific needs, requirements, and characteristics, (including, but not limited to: the desired target weight, current weight, current height, body fat percentage, body mass index, physical condition, psychological condition, medical conditions, allergies, dietary restrictions and/or requirements, and any other information about the participant's physical and/or mental conditions and well-being). In addition, during the program setup 14, the practitioner may acquire additional information about the participant by measurements or other forms of data acquisition and/or assessment, for example, by weighing the participant, measuring various body parts of the participant (waist, legs, neck, etc.), taking blood pressure measurements, taking body fat percentage measurements, measuring the body mass index, and so on. All of the information gathered at the program setup 14 may be utilized by the practitioner to make adjustments to the various parameters of the global program cycle 10 components, as well as for optional program cycle components (shown by way of example in
After the practitioner gathers the necessary information and configures the initial program protocol 12 at the program setup 14, a program cycle 16 is initiated. The key purpose of the program cycle 16 is to ensure that the participant achieves the desired weight reduction to a predetermined target weight, selected at the program setup 14. After the target weight is reached, or, if the participant wishes to exit the program cycle 16 before completing it properly, a maintenance cycle 18 is performed to stabilize the participant's lowered weight for as long as possible.
Thus, after completing the initial program protocol 12, the participant has achieved a desired level of weight reduction, and does not need to continue to perform the program cycle 16, unless the participant's weight increases by a particular predetermined amount, for example designated as a “weight alert threshold” which may be monitored as a step 20. In addition to monitoring their weight, the participant may also adhere to a post-maintenance program (for example, restriction on eating after 6 PM) that further locks-in the beneficial effects of the previous program protocol.
While some weight fluctuation over time is a fact of life, if the participant's weight increase exceeds the predetermined weight alert threshold value (for example as determined at step 22), the participant should return to the practitioner for a follow-up program protocol 22, which includes a program update step 26 (similar to the program setup 14, but aimed at updating the program protocol 24 for changes in participant's information), and also includes a program cycle 28 and subsequent maintenance cycle 30 (which are similar in principle to the program cycle 16 and maintenance cycle 18, but which may be modified therefrom based on the information gained at the program update step 26). The global program cycle 10 then continues at the step 20.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The program cycle 50 begins with a first cycle 52, which preferably is of an approximately 10 day duration. During cycle 52, a point stimulation element (hereinafter “PSE”) (for example, a small spherule or similarly shaped object) is applied to each of the Points 302-306 (or optionally to the zone 300). The participant then moves the PSE in a predetermined manner to stimulate the Points. The number of movements of the PSEs during each stimulation may be selected as a matter of design choice, but should generally be between about 30 and 50 movements.
Various types of PSE repetitive movement patterns may be used in Point stimulation as a matter of design choice, but preferably, the PSEs are moved in small rotations—for example being rotated in small circles in a single direction (e.g., toward the participant's nose). In addition, the speed with which the PSEs are moved may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Preferably, the PSEs are moved at a speed of between approximately one movement (e.g., rotation) every two seconds, and approximately two movements per second.
Preferably, small amounts of pressure should be applied on the PSE—just enough to make sure that the pressure feels the same behind each ear. The PSEs are then periodically manipulated in accordance with a daily program cycle protocol shown and described below in connection with
Although steel is the preferred material for the PSEs used in the inventive hunger control methodology, other kinds of materials may be readily used without departing from the spirit of the invention as a matter of choice and/or convenience, including, but not limited to: metallic alloys, ceramics, polymers, resins, glass, stone, plastics, organic materials (for example: wood, plant seeds, bone, or other materials).
Optionally, each PSE may be removably attached to the skin area of the Points (appropriate to the then-current cycle) such that it can be manipulated as necessary while maintaining contact with the Points. For this purpose, any form of removable attachment techniques designed for use with skin can be used, for example, medical tape, flexible material coated with medical adhesive, or the like. Optionally, the PSEs may be used for passive stimulation of the points, for example being left in contact with one or more Points during each cycle.
After completion of the first cycle 52, at an optional step 54, the practitioner determines if the participant has lost a predetermined amount of target weight A. This value is selected individually for each participant at the program setup 14 (
Following the second cycle 56, a third cycle 58 is initiated, which is similar to the cycle 52, except that the PSEs are used to stimulate Points 502 and 504 and include a variation in the daily program cycle protocol 100 (
If at the optional step 54, the practitioner determines that the target weight A was not lost, at a step 62, the practitioner may institute one or more supplemental cycles until the target weight A is lost during one cycle, or until the practitioner is otherwise satisfied with the participant's progress. Preferably, the supplemental cycle consists of alternating performance of the first cycle 52, and the third cycle 58. Optionally, a different supplemental cycle protocol may be utilized.
In accordance with the present invention, the effectiveness of the global program cycle 10 (and of the individual program cycles) may be greatly increased with the use of program cycle optional components (PCOCs), shown in
Referring now to
Preferably, the wait periods 104, 108, 114, 118, and 124 are between approximately 1 to approximately 3 hours, while the FSS time 112 and SSS time 122 are preferably approximately 3 PM and 7 PM for cycle 52, approximately 4 PM and 7 PM for cycle 56, and approximately 2 PM and 7 PM for cycle 58. Certainly, other durations for wait periods 104, 108, 114, 118, and 124, and other FSS time 112 and SSS time 122 may be selected as a matter of design choice without departing from the spirit of the invention. It should also be noted that variations in the FSS time 112 and SSS time 122 of less than 1 hour are contemplated by the present invention. It should also be noted that in practical application of the method of this invention, superior results have been achieved with most participants by setting each of the wait periods 104, 108, 114, 118, and 124 to approximately 2 hours.
As previously noted, the maintenance cycle 18 of
These MEs do not need to be manipulated—just left attached during the maintenance cycles 18, 30. Preferably, if the optional PCOC Restrictive Feeding 150 is utilized, the participant is instructed to eat only between specific hours, for example, between the hours of approximately 12 PM and 6 PM, plus or minus one hour for a participant with a normal day/night schedule.
As previously discussed in connection with
Finally, while the inventive method is described above with reference to Sadkhin Points proximal to both ears being stimulated, it should be noted, that as a matter of design choice, only the Points proximal to a single ear may be stimulated during one or more particular cycles.
Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
The present patent application claims priority from the commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/112,701, entitled “Method for Reducing a Person's Weight Through Hunger Control”, filed May 23, 2011.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61333286 | May 2010 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13112701 | May 2011 | US |
Child | 15902500 | US |