Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – With light – thermal – magnetic – or electrical application
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-30
2001-06-05
DeMille, Danton D. (Department: 3764)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
With light, thermal, magnetic, or electrical application
C601S019000, C601S119000, C601S120000, C601S129000, C601S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241693
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying a pressure to a desired portion of the body of a person. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for massaging or for applying acupressure on parts of the body which are difficult to reach.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The benefits of massage and acupressure have been known for centuries. Massage as a form of therapy has been used by almost all cultures for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans where Hippocrates extolled its virtues as a form of medical treatment. There are currently over 100 different types of massage therapy being practiced today. Acupressure is a specific type of massage, dating back over 5,000 years in ancient China. The technique consists of applying localized pressure to specific points on the body as opposed to acupuncture which inserts needles into these same points. The effects of acupressure and acupuncture are similar. Studies have demonstrated that acupuncture stimulates the nervous system, causing alterations in the amount of neurotransmitters and/or neurohormones released, thus resulting in changes in blood flow, immune function and/or pain perception. The effects of massage and acupressure such as reduction in pain, muscle tension and stress are well documented.
Other physical methods which have been scientifically proven to reduce pain and muscle spasm include physical modalities such as applying heat or cold. In addition, recent medical studies have demonstrated that treatment with magnetic fields reduces muscular pain and is useful in treating persistent neck pain. See, for example,
Vallbona, Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil
. 1997, 78, 11 and
Orthopedics
1990, 13(4), 445. Treatment with these types of modalities typically requires daily treatment. In fact, most types of pain and spasm respond better to daily treatment whether it is by physical modalities or massage. Indeed, many instructors of ancient healing arts and physical therapists instruct their clients on self management of pain using techniques of self massage, self acupressure or other self administered physical modalities. Thus, with most injuries it is advantageous to be able to self-treat the painful area.
With regard to muscular pain, it is common to have pain or spasm over the back of the neck and extending down to the lower back. Unfortunately, these areas are difficult to reach if one is to attempt self-treatment. There are some devices designed to allow the user to massage the back portion of the body as disclosed by Casares in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,536, Wright in U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,198 and Matsumoto in U.S. Pat. No. 3,856,002. These devices typically massage a small portion of the back at a time and can be difficult to use or control in certain areas of the body. In addition, these devices are not designed to take advantage of heat, cold or magnetism during acupressure treatment. Moreover, these devices are not designed with a detachable pressure applicator member that can be used separately from the device.
Therefore, there is a need for a massage apparatus and a method which permits the user to apply different types of pressure and physical modalities to various parts of the body without any assistance in a simple, economical, yet effective manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for easy application of various types of pressure to various portions of the user's body without assistance from another person.
The apparatus comprises an arcuate shaft substantially defining a plane, a handle extending from the arcuate shaft and protruding from the plane of the arcuate shaft, and a pressure applicator movably attached to the arcuate shaft for applying pressure to a body. The arcuate shaft has at least two different radii of curvature which are adaptable for applying pressure to various parts of the body. The first radius of curvature is preferably from about 30 cm to about 60 cm, more preferably from about 36 cm to about 54 cm, and most preferably from about 40 cm to about 50 cm. Preferably, the second radius of curvature is from about 12 cm to about 21 cm, more preferably from about 14 cm to about 19 cm, and most preferably from about 15 cm to about 18 cm.
The pressure applicator can be a stationary pressure applicator, a roller or a combination thereof. The position of the pressure applicator can be adjusted along the arcuate shaft such that it can be adapted to be used in various areas of the body. The stationary pressure applicator comprises a base and a direct pressure head. The direct pressure head can be heated or cooled to allow applying hot or cold acupressure, respectively. The direct pressure head can comprise a magnet to allow for application of magnetic therapy. Furthermore, the stationary pressure applicator can be removed from the arcuate shaft and used by itself or with a small bar to treat more accessible areas.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for applying pressure on the body of a person which comprises placing the above described apparatus around the desired portion of the body of the person and applying pressure on the arcuate shaft such that the pressure applicator contacts and exerts a desired amount of pressure on the desired portion of the body of the person. The apparatus can be moved upwardly and/or downwardly along the body of the person for massaging or it can be used to apply acupressure on a desired part of the body.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2168842 (1939-08-01), Kesteven et al.
patent: 3707284 (1972-12-01), Waldeck
patent: 3856002 (1974-12-01), Matsumoto
patent: 4008715 (1977-02-01), Brodbeck
patent: 4082089 (1978-04-01), Moriyama et al.
patent: 4266536 (1981-05-01), Casares
patent: 4411421 (1983-10-01), Hershberger
patent: 4798198 (1989-01-01), Wright
patent: 4846159 (1989-07-01), Anzai et al.
patent: 5211162 (1993-05-01), Gillen, Jr. et al.
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patent: 5560746 (1996-10-01), Willow
patent: 5730708 (1998-03-01), Spratt
patent: 664915 (1929-09-01), None
patent: 1466748 (1989-03-01), None
DeMille Danton D.
Sheridan & Ross P.C.
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