Described herein are systems and methods for postoperative soft tissue care that can be effective to control swelling and/or support an intended outcome following a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.

A variety of body supports are disclosed for supporting a body portion, for example, for supporting a chest in a donned configuration. In some examples, the body support includes a first support panel having one or more first tongues projecting outwardly therefrom, a second support panel having one or more second tongues projecting outwardly therefrom, a connecting section, joining the first support panel to said second support panel in longitudinal spaced relationship along an imaginary longitudinal mid-line of the body support, the first tongue and the second tongue being on opposite transverse sides of a mid-line of the body support, a first fastener and a second fastener. The body support may further include a doffed configuration in which the first support panel and the second support panel are non-contiguous with respect to one another.

A variety of body supports are disclosed for supporting a body portion, for example, for supporting a chest in a donned configuration. In some examples, the body support includes a first support panel having one or more first tongues projecting outwardly therefrom, a second support panel having one or more second tongues projecting outwardly therefrom, a connecting section, joining the first support panel to said second support panel in longitudinal spaced relationship along an imaginary longitudinal mid-line of the body support, the first tongue and the second tongue being on opposite transverse sides of a mid-line of the body support, a first fastener and a second fastener. The body support may further include a doffed configuration in which the first support panel and the second support panel are non-contiguous with respect to one another.

A garment for enhancing neuroarthromyofascial performance in an individual includes fabric tension lines positioned within the garment in order to align with certain muscle groups of the individual wearing the garment. The fabric tension lines have an elasticity that imparts a force from one end of the fabric tension line to the other. This force transfers to the garment as a whole, and subsequently to the individual. The force pulls one or more joints of the individual into an abnormal alignment, causing a neurological cue in the individual to recruit targeted muscles that restore the proper alignment of the joint. The strength and performance of the targeted muscles is thereby improved. The garment may additionally have compressive properties that have a therapeutic effect on the individual. Methods for making the garment and for using the garment in a physical therapy environment are also disclosed.

A garment for enhancing neuroarthromyofascial performance in an individual includes fabric tension lines positioned within the garment in order to align with certain muscle groups of the individual wearing the garment. The fabric tension lines have an elasticity that imparts a force from one end of the fabric tension line to the other. This force transfers to the garment as a whole, and subsequently to the individual. The force pulls one or more joints of the individual into an abnormal alignment, causing a neurological cue in the individual to recruit targeted muscles that restore the proper alignment of the joint. The strength and performance of the targeted muscles is thereby improved. The garment may additionally have compressive properties that have a therapeutic effect on the individual. Methods for making the garment and for using the garment in a physical therapy environment are also disclosed.

A method and apparatus for applying pressure to the abdomen of a patient to facilitate the insertion of a colonoscope is characterized by the use of a tensile compression device in the form of an elastic band which is wrapped around the patient's abdomen and secured in place. The tension of the band is adjusted to apply a desired degree of pressure to the patient's abdomen to reduce loops in the patient's colon so that the colonoscope can be fully inserted into the colon with minimal discomfort to the patient. The ends of the device are connected together when the desired degree of tension is obtained so that constant pressure and support are provided to the patient's colon. Addition pressure can be manually applied simultaneously with the pressure from the tensile device to reduce or eliminate more distal loops in the colon.

A method and apparatus for applying pressure to the abdomen of a patient to facilitate the insertion of a colonoscope is characterized by the use of a tensile compression device in the form of an elastic band which is wrapped around the patient's abdomen and secured in place. The tension of the band is adjusted to apply a desired degree of pressure to the patient's abdomen to reduce loops in the patient's colon so that the colonoscope can be fully inserted into the colon with minimal discomfort to the patient. The ends of the device are connected together when the desired degree of tension is obtained so that constant pressure and support are provided to the patient's colon. Addition pressure can be manually applied simultaneously with the pressure from the tensile device to reduce or eliminate more distal loops in the colon.

In order to provide efficient support for a user's back, the belt of the present application includes structures to help align and maintain the position of three portions of the users body—an upper abdominal region, a lower abdominal region and the lower back. To provide this support, a belt has an abdominal panel configured to be positioned over the user's abdomen, and a belt member wrapping around the waist region. The abdominal panel has a specific configuration and size to cause an upper portion of the abdomen is held in position and a lower portion of the abdomen to be held in position, with forces being applied so that these portions remain in a preferred alignment. The belt member includes a strap that is configured so that it can be positioned within the user's waist groove, and will provide additional supporting forces. In this way, the belt provides support to three critical locations on the user's body, thus insuring optimum alignment and support of the user's central body region.

A multifunctional hip brace comprises a retaining wrapping base of elastic fabric (12) comprising a side portion (13), a lumbar band (14a) and a thigh band (14b), wherein the lumbar band (14a) and the thigh band (14b) are placed at opposite ends of the side portion (13) and can be wrapped about the waist and about a thigh of the patient and can be clamped in adjustable positions through quick hooking means (16), wherein the side portion (13) is entirely made of fabric and wherein the elastic retaining wrapping base (12) comprises a plurality of arrangements (17′, 17″) for hooking additional accessory elements (18′, 18″) for selectively limiting the movements of the hip joint, such as an articulated rod (18′), said plurality of arrangements (17′, 17″) being externally constrainable in a removable manner to the side portion (13) through quick hooking means (19), and a pair of elastic pulling strips (18″) externally constrainable in a removable manner through quick hooking means (19), diagonally placed between the lumbar band (14a) and the thigh band (14b) in a position crossed to one another, wherein the plurality of first and second arrangements (17′, 17″) for hooking the additional accessory elements (18′, 18″) are arranged longitudinally along the side portion (13) and frontally and rearly on the lumbar band (14a) and on the thigh band (14b).

Pivotably connected upper and lower cushions may be sized and shaped to protect chest and lower abdomen areas of a patient, respectively. The cushion structure may be held against the chest and/or abdomen areas of a patient by a combination of an adjustable and disconnectable neck strap attached to an upper portion of the upper cushion, and an adjustable length and resilient strap, such as an elastic belt binder, which may be positioned around the user's waist and the upper cushion. The lower cushion may pivotably move with the patient's legs, allowing the cushion structure to be comfortably used when moving between standing and seated positions, and providing improved protection from automotive seat belts. Pockets may be provided for positioning ice packs proximate the patient's body and for inconspicuously placing a negative-pressure wound therapy vacuum pump or other items.