Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING POSTURAL DISTORTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and system for improving
postural distortion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many individuals and health professionals are becoming more aware
of the impact of bad posture on back health specifically and overall health
generally.
The growing popularity of lumbar and lower back supports help many of today's
office workers perform at the keyboard for longer periods of time to meet the
demands of the job. These types of supports are also becoming more commonplace
in car seats and home furniture. However, while these supports offer temporary
relief from the symptoms of back problems, there still exists a need for a
more
permanent solution to the underlying problem of postural distortion.
Postural distortion describes a variety of misalignments of the body,
such as distortion of the pelvis, back and shoulders. Although these
conditions are
not always noticeable by the individual, they are easily recognized in others.
A
rounded upper back, forward sloping shoulders and head angled forward are all
telltale signs of these conditions. In addition, any distortion, including the
mild more
common cases of poor posture, can diminish self-confidence and self-esteem.
More
importantly, these distortions can lead to poor breathing, impaired
circulation and
overall feelings of lethargy which can affect a person's physical health and
well-
being.
It has been determined that postural distortion, and the most common
symptoms of poor posture, sloping shoulders and rounded upper back, could be
relieved through opposing force, that is through expansion of the chest area.
Thus,
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prolonged expansion of the chest could work to counteract and improve the
symptoms of
postural distortion. It is known that an old yoga prop known as "the whale" or
"the bridge"
can be used during certain yoga exercises to achieve this expansion. However,
it lacks the
long term effects required for meaningful results as it is not suitable for
all backs, as some
backs are more flexible and healthier than others.
There have been attempts in the prior art to design a therapeutic back rest
aimed at a similar purpose. However, these attempts have often proved
inconvenient to use
and have generally met with limited short-term success and little long-term
effects.
Reference is made for example to U.S. Patent No. 4,927,139 of Taltre, which
issued May 22,
1990, which describes a therapeutic back rest which completely lifts the
person off the floor,
thus failing to isolate the user's back. U.S. Patent No. 5,207,704 of Shields,
which issued
May 4, 1993, describes a posture board which is contoured to the spinal shape.
The design
taught by this reference would not create the expansion of the chest sought in
the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved system
for
improving postural distortion.
In one aspect of the invention there is provided a system for improving
postural distortion. The system comprises a plurality of arcuate bridges with
each bridge
having a different arc radius. Each bridge has two opposite ends and a lateral
cut-away
portion on each side therebetween. The cut-away portion is configured to
accommodate
soft tissue of the posterior axilla area when each of the bridges is in use.
Uses of the
system for improvement of postural distortion are also provided.
In other aspects of the invention, the system may have two or three arcuate
bridges. One of the bridges may have an irregular arcuate configuration. The
bridges may
be made of wood and may include a non-slip support to provide stability. The
bridges
may include a central longitudinally-disposed slot configured to eliminate
pressure on the
spinal column when said arcuate bridges are in use as well as flared opposite
ends
configured to provide additional stability when in use. A bolster may also be
included in
the system, for support of the head when the system is in use.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings
in which:-
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of the devices of the present invention
in stacked relation.
FIGURE 2 is a perspective of one of the devices in accordance with the
present invention.
FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the present
invention, with a person shown in supine position.
While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
invention to such
embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications and
equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by
the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been
given similar reference numerals.
Turning to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an apparatus 2 for use in
improving postural distortion. The apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of
arcuate devices or
bridges. The first bridge 10 has a first end 12 and a second end 14 and a
curvature cl.
The second bridge 16 has a first end 18, a second end 20 and a second
curvature c2.
Similarly, the third bridge 22 has a first end 24, a second end 26 and a third
curvature c3.
The specific radii of the curvatures cl, c2 and c3 need
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not be specified in order to practice the invention, as long as cl is less
than c2, which
in turn is less than c3. However, clinical studies have shown that too gradual
a
curvature will reduce the benefit of the system whereas too great a curvature
could
produce aggravation in the back. As will be described in greater detail below,
the
bridges 10, 16 and 22 are thus designed to be used sequentially. It is the
increased
height from bridge to bridge which creates an upwardly moving pressure on the
spine
from the lowest end of the rounded back, gradually upwards, fmally to the apex
of
the round of the back. If the apex of the system were the first target, the
correction
would not be tolerated by the user.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the third bridge 22 has an irregular curvature
as compared to the first 10 and second 16 bridges. Thus, the curvature c3 is
not only
greater than c2, but the bridge 22 has a lift from its first end 24 built in
which serves
to stretch the lumbar spine, rather than compress and aggravate it or cause
too much
hyperextension in that area.
The first bridge 10 is shown in perspective in Figure 2 by way of
example. The bridge 10 comprises the first end 12 and the second end 14. As
the
bridge 10 curves downwards toward the first end 12, the sides 28, 30 flare
outwardly
at 32 and 34 respectively so that the width wl of the bridge at its apex 36 is
smaller
than the width w2 at its first end 12. The same flaring may be provided at the
second
end 14 to provide a symmetrical appearance to the bridge 10 and provide
stability for
the bridge in use and the user. The resulting cut away shape of the bridge 10
accommodates excess soft or adipose tissue at the posterior axilla area, to
allow
appropriate chest expansion for all users.
The bridge 10 is further provided with an elongated slot 38 in the
center of the bridge 10. The slot 38 extends longitudinally along the bridge
10 from
a first point 40 above the flared portion of the bridge 10 to a second point
42 beyond
the apex 36 of the bridge 10. This slot 38 is made to accommodate the spine of
a
user when in position on the bridge 10. Thus, the slot 38 eliminates pressure
on the
spinal column of a user and evenly distributes the user's body weight across
the
muscles of the back.
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The bridges 10, 16, 22 of the apparatus 2 are preferably constructed
from a hardwood and are not padded. This provides improved effectiveness of
the
apparatus 2 within the system of the present invention.
With reference to Figure 3, the system of the present invention will
now be described. Figure 3 shows a person 44, in phantom, lying in a supine
position over a bridge 10. To achieve this supine position, the person 44 sits
on the
floor facing away from the bridge 10 with their buttocks 46 positioned
adjacent the
first end 12 of the bridge 10 and the first point 40. Alternatively, the
person 44 may
sit on a non-slip mat 48 positioned beneath the bridge 10. The person 44 then
lies
back over the bridge 10 such that their spinal column (not shown) falls into
the
elongated slot 38. The head 50 is thus positioned adjacent the second end 14
of the
bridge 10. There may be provided with the apparatus 2, a bolster 52 to support
the
head 50 when the person 44 is in position on the bridge 10. Alternatively, the
bolster
52 may be positioned as shown at 52a to support the neck 53 of the person 44
when
in position on the bridge 10.
The person's back 54 rests on the bridge 10 and is thus arched over the
bridge 10. In this position, the chest area 56 of the person 44 is expanded
with a
corresponding stretching of the back muscles and ligaments. It is this chest
expansion
which provides beneficial results for the user and which will eventually
result in
improved posture. However, it was found that for a long-term, permanent
reversal
of postural distortion, it is beneficial to employ an increasing arch or
curvature in the
bridges. This combined with a prescribed regiment and schedule of use of the
bridges will result in the desired effects of the apparatus.
Thus, the system of the present invention provides for the regiment of
use of the bridges. Starting with the first bridge 10, the user achieves the
position
shown in Figure 3 and holds that position for preferably about 10 minutes.
This
should be repeated twice daily, preferably once in the morning and once at
night, for
10 minutes each time.
After about three to four weeks, most users will begin feeling and
seeing noticeable results, in the form of improved posture. Progress on the
bridge
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is measured, in part, by the ability to arch in position over the bridge with
ease and
without discomfort. Once this level of ease and comfort has been achieved, the
user
may proceed to using the second bridge 16.
The use of the second bridge 16 is essentially the same as the first
bridge 10, that is for the same amount of time and preferably at the same time
each
day. Again, after three to four weeks, the user will notice improved posture
and the
ability to ease into position on the second bridge 16. If desirable, the user
may then
proceed to the third bridge 22. It has been found, however, that some people
cannot
use the third bridge 22 because of the large curvature c3. If that is the
case, lasting
results can still be achieved by maintaining a regular use of the second
bridge 16 in
the normal manner described above. If, however, the third bridge is used, the
user
should repeat the same steps as before, that is, lie in a supine position over
the bridge
for ten minutes, twice daily. This will continue to enhance any benefits
realized with
the first 10 and second 16 bridges. Continued use of the third bridge 22 has
the
additional effect of causing a traction or lift of the lumbar spine and a
resulting
reduction of pressure on the lumbar discs.
In addition to improved posture due to a reduction in postural
distortion, it has also been found that use of the apparatus 2 and the system
of the
present invention can improve breathing, circulation and flexibility. Lower
back
stress and stiffness in the shoulders and neck were significantly reduced
while using
the apparatus in the manner prescribed. There was also an appearance of
improved
functioning of the thyroid and thymus glands, as well as a relief of the
pressure on
abdominal organs, resulting in improved bodily functions.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the
invention an apparatus and system for improving postural distortion that fully
satisfies
the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been
described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident
that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled
in the art
in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such
alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad
scope of
the invention.
