Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people see a healthcare provider. Many lower back issues are caused by anterior pelvic tilt. Anterior pelvic tilt is when the pelvis is tilted forward, causing an individual to curve their spine to stand straight. The arch in the lower back creates constant tension, resulting in lower back pain. This can lead to an uneven distribution of pressure on the spinal column and intervertebral discs. This constant spinal pressure can cause the intervertebral discs to protrude out and press on nerve roots causing pain or other nerve sensations. Anterior pelvic tilt happens when the psoas muscles are compressed and pull the pelvis down.
A pair of psoas muscles are hidden deep within the body, making them hard to locate and often missed in conventional stretching regimens. The pair of psoas muscles start at the top of the lumbar spine, extend through the pelvis and end at the top of the femur. The pair of psoas muscles help connect the top and lower half of the body. The pair of psoas muscles get tight or compressed by our modern lifestyle of sitting in cars, sitting at the computer, sleeping in fetal position, and many similar movement patterns. If the pair of psoas muscles get compressed and shortened for prolonged periods, they can become stuck in that position. The shortened psoas muscles become locked and pull on one's lumbar spine resulting in anterior pelvic tilt causing lower back pain. When a muscle is locked it does not open or release anymore. A muscle that is 12 inches long may only stretch to 10 inches long. Locked and contracted muscles squeeze blood vessels within the muscle, compressing the blood vessels restricting blood flow and reducing oxygen and nutrients carried to the muscle. This muscle tightness needs to be released to open up compressed blood vessels and increase arterial blood flow to give the muscles the nutrients needed to unlock.
The kneeling lunge stretch is an exercise that targets tight psoas muscles.
Traditionally, the kneeling lunge stretch is done with the back and front leg in parallel, which stretches the psoas, but not in the most effective way, due to the anatomy of the psoas muscle. The psoas muscle is attached to the lesser trochanter, which is in the back of the femur. This wraps the psoas muscle around the thigh. By rotating the back leg, this brings the lesser trochanter more in line with the body. Rotating the back leg to bring the attachment site of the psoas muscle more in line with the torso enables a better stretch. The origin of the psoas muscle goes to the front of the body, when taking the back leg and rotating it so it's perpendicular to the torso. For this advanced kneeling lunge stretch to be effective, the torso needs to be square to the front knee. Then the individual grabs the ankle of the leg perpendicular to the torso and pulls it to the buttocks. This gives the psoas muscle a deeper stretch than the traditional kneeling lunge stretch.
A problem with performing an advanced kneeling lunge stretch is that it takes substantial flexibility to achieve. Individuals with tight and shortened psoas muscles have limited flexibility as a direct result of the psoas muscle tightness and compression. This limited flexibility makes it difficult to perform the advanced kneeling lunge stretch necessary to lengthen compressed psoas muscles. Further, kneeling lunge stretches are traditionally held for 30 seconds and repeated 5 times per session, because longer durations are painful to the arm holding the stretch.
Since the advanced kneeling lunge stretch reduces lower back pain, but has a high degree of difficulty to perform, a solution is needed to make this stretch accessible to everyone.
Longer psoas muscle stretching is needed to allow blood flow to this area. A solution is needed for these compressed psoas muscles that are stuck in that position. A solution to reverse the damage of shortened psoas muscles and attempt to lengthen them back to their original size in a pain-free way which can be done for an extended length of time.
A psoas stretching apparatus is disclosed comprising a ground engaging base that is connected to a pair of upwardly extending support structures. The pair of support structures are configured to adjust the angle and height of a convex leg stabilization structure that supports and cradles the user's leg while providing leverage for the psoas stretch. The psoas stretching apparatus provides tension relief to the psoas muscles which are difficult to reach during conventional stretching. Muscles stretched and unlocked by the psoas stretching apparatus may include, but are not limited to, the psoas major, psoas minor, iliopsoas, iliacus, rectus femoris, sartorius and combinations of these muscles that make up the hip flexor muscle group.
When laying one leg on the leg stabilization structure of the psoas stretching apparatus, weight is distributed evenly across the leg, instead of at a singular point, such as when a user is holding their ankle during a kneeling lunge stretch. This allows for a longer psoas stretch, resulting in more muscle tension released per stretching session.
Performing an advanced kneeling lunge stretch while holding the ankle by hand can possibly result in the hand slipping and the user losing the stretch, or even falling over causing harm to themselves. The psoas stretching apparatus substantially reduces the effort required for users to perform the kneeling lunge stretch and hold it for minutes even with limited flexibility. With the apparatus, relatively little arm strength is needed to achieve this stretch. For individuals with both limited and great flexibility, using the psoas stretching apparatus is a safer alternative because the user does not need to worry about maintaining balance. The device does most of the balancing for them. The psoas stretching apparatus creates a safer environment for users to stretch their psoas regardless of flexibility and individual range of motion.
A user with poorer flexibility may not have access to the advanced kneeling lunge stretch because their muscles are too tight to do it. Embodiments of the invention comprise a psoas stretching apparatus that provides stability and comfort that allow users to get the benefits of this great stretch, by doing substantial parts of the work for the user. The user obtains the psoas healing properties of this stretch without months of increasing their range of motion, which would normally be required to hold the advanced kneeling lunge stretch.
The present invention allows an individual to stretch the psoas muscle without an additional person. The leg stabilization structure is padded from top to bottom to maximize comfort for the user. The adjustability of the leg stabilization structure includes movement along the horizontal and vertical axis. In some embodiments the angle of the leg stabilization structure relative to the ground is adjustable as well. The ability to adjust for user height and desired angle make it accessible for users with different degrees of flexibility. Some users have a limited range of motion, others have a great deal of flexibility and want to be challenged. Both users will be able to find an optimal leg stabilization position based on their desired comfort level. The leg stabilization structure is an inclined plane that the leg sits on and has a convex curvature where the ankle and foot meet. This adds to the comfort and duration the psoas stretch can be maintained. Preferably, the leg stabilization structure has a padded portion comprising a resting surface with a concave contour so that the leg is secured on the inclined cushioned plane. There is additional cushion support for the knee to maximize comfort for a longer stretch.
To more fully describe embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention but are merely illustrative.
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Additionally, in some embodiments, the leg stabilization structure 11 will provide a substantially convex curvature 40 designed to provide a natural support to match the curvature of the ankle 33 which provides mitigation of the aforementioned negative aspects while performing the advanced kneeling lunge stretch.
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In one or more embodiments, the psoas stretching apparatus 30 has a leg stabilization structure 11 that is stationary, stable, and secured to two support structures 13,14 which are joined by base 10. The leg stabilization structure 11 is secured by inserting the adjustment pins 24,26 into apertures 19,21 of the support structure 13 then apertures 15, 17 in
In embodiments, the psoas stretching apparatus 30 may be adjustable. In these embodiments, the leg stabilization structure 11 may be raised or lowered vertically depending on the user's height and the length of their legs. The angle of the leg stabilization structure 11 may be adjusted for the comfort of the user and flexible ability.
Support shaped structures 13,14 may have one or more adjustment apertures configured to accept an adjustment pin along its length. Adjustment pins 26,27 inserted into height adjustment apertures 21,22 and attachment apertures 17,18 can lock the leg stabilization structure 11 to a specific height. Adjustment pins 24,25 inserted into angle adjustment apertures 19,20 and attachment apertures 15,16 can lock the leg stabilization structure 11 to a specific angle.
The angle adjustment apertures 49,50 located on rotational structure 45 align with attachment apertures 51,52 in base 10 such that adjustment pins 53,54 are positioned within the aligned apertures to secure the rotational structure 45 in a selected angular position to base 10. The rotational structure 45 is adjustably locked thereto by adjustment pins 53,54 fitting into two pluralities of angle adjustment apertures 49,50. In this embodiment, the rotational structure 45 is releasably secured to base 10. When secured to base 10, the rotational structure 45 provides stability to the psoas stretching apparatus while in use.
Attachment pins 53,54 extending into attachment apertures 51,52 in base 10 can be positioned through any of the angle adjustment apertures 49,50 to accommodate changes in the angle of the rotational structure 45. The rotational structure 45 may optionally have telescoping portions 55,56 attached to support structures 43 and 44 that allow the user to adjust the height of the leg stabilization structure 11.
Handles 63,64, are positioned through angle adjustment apertures 67 and 65,66 are positioned through angle adjustment apertures 68 in both support structures 57,58. The leg stabilization structure 11 is adjustably locked thereto by handles 63,64,65,66 fitting into a plurality of angle adjustment apertures 67,68. The leg stabilization structure 11 is coupled to the two support structures 57,58 in a fixed angular position, The fixed angular position of the leg stabilization structure 11 is based on where the rocking movement of curvate portion 62 places the handles 63,64,65,66 relative to angle adjustment apertures 67,68.
Support structures 57,58 may optionally be coupled with telescoping portions such as 55, 56 that would allow the user to adjust the distance between parallel support structures 57,58. This would free the leg stabilization handles 63,64,65,66 to be retained in a different set of angle adjustment apertures 67,68 on support structures 57,58.
Leg stabilization structure 69 further includes a pair of outwardly protruding handles 71 and 72, oriented generally orthogonal from the leg stabilization structure 69. Support structures 73 and 74 contain a plurality of height adjustment apertures 79,80 and a plurality of attachment apertures 77,78. Handles 71,72 are positioned through the height adjustment apertures 79,80 to pivotally attach the leg stabilization structure 69 to the pair of support structures 73 and 74. The leg stabilization structure 69 is rotatably retained in the height adjustment apertures 79,80. It should be understood that the leg stabilization structure 69 is moveable to any of the height adjustment apertures 79,80 of the two support structures 73,74 to accommodate changes in height. The height adjustment apertures 79,80 act as a point of suspension therefore the leg stabilization structure 69 is freely pivotable about the height adjustment apertures 79,80. To prevent undesired separation of handles 71,72 from the height adjustment apertures 79,80, the leg stabilization structure 69 is secured to the two support structures 73 and 74 with attachment pins 81,82. Attachment pins 81,82 are positioned through attachment apertures 77,78 into one of the series of angle adjustment apertures 75,76 to lock the leg stabilization structure 69 in a selected angular position.
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In another embodiment, the psoas muscle stretching apparatus is equipped with an LCD screen strategically positioned for optimal visibility during use. The LCD screen is connected to an electronic control unit that processes user input and displays relevant information. Users can interact with the apparatus through intuitive controls, selecting parameters such as stretching duration, intensity, and specific stretching modes. The motorized adjustment mechanism allows for dynamic changes to the stretching apparatus's configuration. Users can conveniently modify the angle, tension, or range of motion to tailor the stretching experience to their individual needs. The motor control system is synchronized with the LCD screen, ensuring real-time feedback on the adjustments made.
In operation, the LCD screen guides users through recommended stretching routines, providing visual cues and prompts for optimal utilization of the apparatus. The motorized adjustments, activated by user input or pre-programmed routines, enhance the effectiveness of the stretching process while accommodating users of varying fitness levels and preferences.
This embodiment allows for customizable stretching routines, where users can personalize stretching parameters using the LCD screen and motor control, adapting the apparatus to their specific requirements, real-time feedback, where the LCD screen provides users with real-time information on stretching parameters, ensuring a safe and effective stretching experience, and automated adjustments, where the motorized control system allows for automated modifications to the stretching apparatus, simplifying the user experience and facilitating precise adjustments.
While particular embodiments have been described, various alternatives, modifications, improvements, variations, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to others skilled in the art. Embodiments of the invention may be produced from any material including but not limited to at least one of the following: polymeric materials, metals, and other materials inorganic and organic and may comprise a combination of any such materials. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
The instant utility patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/470,406.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63470406 | Jun 2023 | US |