A plurality of ball transfer units is used together to form a reduced friction surface. The reduced friction surface lies on a base, and is particularly useful for carrying out a physical activity on, or applying force to, a body part on the surface so as to stretch the muscles and stretch and/or decompress the spine.

A method for stimulating contraction of a target muscle, the method including: locating a first neuromuscular junction of a target muscle by visualization or palpation, delivering a first stimulus to the first neuromuscular junction, locating a second neuromuscular junction of the target muscle by visualization or palpation, and delivering a second stimulus to the second neuromuscular junction. The first and second stimuli are effective to stimulate contraction of the target muscle. Further, contraction of the target muscle is effective to result in a measurable increase of at least one of: output force of the target muscle or range of motion of a body part associated with extension or contraction of the target muscle.

An apparatus for dry hydro-therapy body massage of a user in a reclined position, including a housing structure having a user support surface for supporting the user in a seated position, the user support surface including a seat back portion, a seat portion with a semi-cylindrical main seat section and a leg seat section, wherein the seat back portion and the leg seat section are in relative angular relation to each other and the main seat section is disposed therebetween, and a fluid spray assembly interiorly within the housing structure for directing a fluid stream at the user support surface for imparting a massaging effect through the support surface to the upper body portion and lower body portion of the user.

The present invention relates to a system and method for distributed sensory stimulation, the system comprising a control unit (10) for receiving an electrical audio signal and for distributing said signal into a plurality of sensory signals, and a plurality of actuators (20L, 20R, 21L, 21R, 22L, 22R, 23L, 23R, 24L, 24R) connected to said control unit (10) and configured to receive the sensory signals, acting by providing sensory stimulation in specific regions of a user's body, wherein the regions of the user's body comprise three regions involved in human perception ranging from the ears, the lower limbs and back and the lower back and gluteus; the actuators comprise eight vibration actuators and two auditory actuators producing said sensory stimulation in the three regions of the user; and the control unit (10) performs delivery considering the vibrational capturing capacity of each of said three regions depending on the volume and structural density thereof.

An improved self-massage apparatus may feature a main mounting bar serving as a body and one or two coaxial and slidable tubes to provide mounting tension. An outer surface may present a rotatable massage head. The two ends of the apparatus may have brackets or other interfaces to secure the apparatus between two parallel surfaces. Clamps, ratchets, and other tension devices may be used to hold the main components in fixed relation to each other and the massage head may rotate a full 360 on at least two planes for a customizable and extremely versatile massage experience.

A stretching and exercising device is beneficial for torso flexibility, having a configurable structure in which the curvature of the platform is adjustable. The platform can be varied in curvature from a substantially flat configuration to a generally semi-circular configuration. The platform is supported by a gear train connected to the platform, wherein the platform has a plurality of discrete parts. An adjustment member having a manually adjustable variable length connects opposite ends of the gear train, so that the curvature of the platform is determined by the adjusted length of the adjustment member.

A method for stimulating contraction of a target muscle, the method including: locating a first neuromuscular junction of a target muscle by visualization or palpation, delivering a first stimulus to the first neuromuscular junction, locating a second neuromuscular junction of the target muscle by visualization or palpation, and delivering a second stimulus to the second neuromuscular junction. The first and second stimuli are effective to stimulate contraction of the target muscle. Further, contraction of the target muscle is effective to result in a measurable increase of at least one of: output force of the target muscle or range of motion of a body part associated with extension or contraction of the target muscle.

A posture correcting device using vibration or emitted electrical pulses in a pre-determined time sequence that may be adjusted in timing, intensity or strength, and a device for securing said posture correcting device to a body of a wearer.

A trunk supporting exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk; thigh links configured to move in unison with a wearer's thighs; and first and second torque generators located on both left and right halves of the wearer substantially close to the wearer's hip. The torque generators couple the supporting trunk to the thigh links, and generate torque between the thigh links and the supporting trunk. When the wearer bends forward such that a predetermined portion of the supporting trunk passes beyond a predetermined angle from vertical, a torque generator(s) imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and the thigh link(s), causing the supporting trunk to impose a force against the wearer's trunk, and the thigh link(s) to impose a force onto the wearer's thigh. When the predetermined portion does not pass beyond the predetermined angle, the torque generators impose no resisting torques between said supporting trunk and respective thigh links.

In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring use of a medical device. The method may include positioning a wearable harness of a medical device on a subject. The method may include selectively positioning at least some of a plurality of engines on and/or adjacent to at least one treatment area. The method may include applying an oscillation force to at least one of the treatment areas using at least some of the engines. The method may include mobilizing at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent to the treatment areas. The method may include monitoring use of the medical device by the subject using a controller associated with the medical device to determine if the medical device has been used effectively as prescribed.