Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a garment system including at least one sensor and at least one actuator that operates responsive to sensing feedback from the at least one sensor to cause a flexible compression garment to selectively constrict or selectively dilate, thereby compressing or relieving compression against at least one body part of a subject. Such selective constriction or dilation can improve muscle functioning or joint functioning during use of motion-conducive equipment, such as an exercise bike or rowing machine.

A respiration-assistance apparatus or method can include or use a lifting element such as to cyclically push, pull, or lift, toward a superior direction of the subject, at least one subject region during an inhalation portion of a respiration cycle of the subject. A cyclical member can couple the lifting element to a fixed reference. Abdominal or ribcage compression can be provided. A multi-action or other cam can be used, such as together with a reciprocating element. Examples can be configured for use with a wheelchair, a bed, a vacuum or suction affixation element, a wearable garment, etc.

The gastrointestinal capsule provides mechanical stimulation within the gastrointestinal tract. The capsule may be deployed in a subject's gastrointestinal tract orally by the subject ingesting the capsule. The capsule may mechanically stimulate any desired region within the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The mechanical stimulations provided by the capsule are applied to a portion of the inner walls or lining of a section of the gastrointestinal tract to simulate satiety.

An apparatus for promoting shallow breathing of a patient includes a paddle, a belt, and a bladder. The paddle may be configured to contact the body of the patient. The belt may be configured to secure the paddle against the body of the patient. Finally, the bladder may be interposed between the belt and the paddle in the installed condition, such that inflating the bladder urges the paddle toward the body of the patient so as to apply pressure to the abdomen of the patient. A method of promoting shallow breathing is also provided that includes attaching a paddle and a bladder to a belt, such that the bladder is between the paddle and the belt, positioning the paddle on the patient, and inflating the bladder to urge the paddle toward the body of the patient such that the paddle applies pressure to the abdomen of the patient.

A clothing item, in particular a belt, with at least two actuators for triggering tactile stimuli for a person wearing the clothing item, wherein the at least two actuators are or can be connected to a control unit for actuating the actuators, the control unit is formed to activate the at least two actuators within the scope of at least two activation patterns, and the at least two activation patterns are assigned to different action instructions for the person wearing the clothing item, which action instructions can be output to the person wearing the clothing item via the activation of the activation patterns, wherein the at least two activation patterns include the combined activation of the at least two actuators at different parts of the body that are distinguishable for the person wearing the clothing item.

Methods for treating fluid overload in a subject comprise shifting fluids directly and non-invasively from an interstitial compartment of the subject to skin of the subject through controlled local sweating. Methods of the invention allow for removal of excess fluid from the interstitial compartment of the subject and treat fluid overload in the subject. Sweat stimulation systems comprise a chamber and first and second relative humidity sensors. The chamber is sized to fit around a body part of a subject, comprises an inlet and an outlet, and is configured such that air flows through the chamber from the inlet to the outlet. The first relative humidity sensor is operably located inside the inlet, and the second relative humidity sensor is operably located proximate the outlet.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of inducing therapeutic adipose tissue inflammation using high frequency pressure waves (e.g. high frequency shockwaves) wherein the inflammation results in a reduction in the volume of subcutaneous adipose tissue. Embodiments include applying electrohydraulic generated shockwaves at a rate of between 10 Hz and 1000 Hz to reduce the appearance of cellulite or the volume of subcutaneous fat in a treatment area.

A method of modulating glandular secretions by administering acoustic shock waves to a reflexology zone has been discovered. In one preferred embodiment, a treatment method achieves one or more of a) modulating blood sugar levels, b) stimulating insulin production levels or c) normalizing A1C levels by administering acoustic shock waves to a reflexology zone or region of a patient. The treatment method further has the steps of: activating acoustic shock waves of an acoustic shock wave generator to emit acoustic shock waves; subjecting the reflexology zone to acoustic shock waves stimulating the pancreas to have a modulated response wherein the modulated response is one of an adjustment in blood sugar levels or insulin production and release or normalizing A1C levels which increases low level output, decreases high level output or stabilizes erratic output; and wherein the emitted acoustic shock waves are focused or unfocused.

A method for non-surgical body sculpting is claimed, characterized by the compilation of a set of measures for body sculpting, including cleansing the body; regulating water metabolism, diet and rest; unloading the gastrointestinal tract using mono-days and improving nutrition, taking vitamins and completely eliminating alcohol and foods that are digested in the stomach more than 2 hours, eating in portions of 150-200 ml, 5-6 times a day; physical exercises aimed at forming a healthy posture, tactile techniques of impact, while the muscles in the affected areas are pre-stimulated to improve blood circulation through physical exercises. A method of massage for non-surgical body sculpting, which includes the impact on fat deposits in the abdomen, peritoneum and weakened abdominal muscles in the form of a combination of physical activity and massage.

A massage apparatus and a method of its use for massage of the human body are provided, the massage apparatus including a frame supporting opposingly-located first and second massage tools mounted thereon to define between them a massage gap, wherein a body portion is receivable for massaging. The gap is adjustable while the apparatus is in use, for the massage tools in use to exert therapeutically effective force substantially continuously on a massage-receiving body portion received in the gap. The massage tools are interchangeable with massage tools of other shapes designed to provide different therapeutic effects. The frame is open- and closeable to accommodate limbs of different sizes.