A hip traction device, system, and associated methods are disclosed. Such a device may include a base having a proximal end and a distal end, a guide coupled to the base, a carrier configured to move along the guide upon receiving a force from a tensioner to move the carrier toward the distal end of the base, causing a leg to be put in tension, and a single body coupling mechanism either removably attachable or permanently attached to the carrier and configured to securely attach to a lower portion of a leg, such that the portion of the leg moves with the carrier during operation of the tensioner.

Beds and methods for applying a micro traction force on the body of a user over time to treating or relieve back/spinal pain. Embodiments of a bed according to the present invention provide a section of the bed that is movable relative to other sections of the bed and apply a restorative force to the movable section such that when a user lays on the movable section, the movable bed section is displaced and a tractive force is applied to the user’s body due to a force apparatus applying a force thereto. The movable bed section can be suspended by a tensional support and/or supported by a compressional support in various configurations disclosed herein.

A method of administering a massage comprising providing a base member with a flexible member coupled to opposite sides of the base member. The base member is rested on top of a support surface so that connection points where the flexible member attaches to the base member are vertically disposed above the support surface. A patient is positioned on the base member and the support surface so that the patient is laying between the opposite sides of the base member. Force is delivered to the patient laying on the base member using a foot of a massage practitioner. The massage practitioner utilizes the flexible member to assist with balance of the massage practitioner while the force is delivered to the patient.

A platform for providing spinal traction. Separate planar members having a generally flat and horizontal surface provide a platform for a user, who positions himself or herself in a supine position on a first planar member and a second planar member that form the platform. The first planar member has spaced apart vertical members that engage the user's underarms. The second planar member comprises a restraining member that surrounds the user at approximately the waist of the user. A drive apparatus allows the user to selectively and progressively separate the first planar member from the second planar member so that the vertical members pull the upper torso away from the lower portion of the person's body that is held in position relative to the second planar member by the restraining member.

In one embodiment, a kinetic shape is designed by determining an applied force to be applied to an object that is to incorporate the kinetic shape, determining a reactive force that is desired to be produced in response to the applied force, inputting the applied force and the reactive force into a kinetic shape equation, and solving the equation to obtain the kinetic shape.

A stretching table that provides targeted stretching for lower extremity, lower back and/or lower abdominal muscle groups in a human patient and is capable of being manipulated in a number of different configurations. The stretching table is capable of providing targeted stretching so that certain muscle groups can be stretched, rehabilitated and/or worked on individually. According to one example, the stretching table includes a base member, an upright member connected to the base member, an upper body support member connected to the upright member, and first and second lower body support members connected to the upper body support member via a connection mechanism.

A device for physiotherapy includes at least a seating surface and a back rest. The back rest is provided with arm holders positionable under a person's underarms. The back rest is also provided with powered apparatus to move the arm holders in a direction away from the seating surface, thereby to lift a person off the seating surface, and to return the person to the seating surface.

A shoulder rehabilitation device includes an elongated structure and a force generator. The elongated structure is configured to support an arm of a patient, the patient being in a lying position. The force generator is mounted to the elongated structure and configured to apply a traction force on the arm in a distal direction relative to the arm. The elongated structure is rotatable about a pivot adjacent a shoulder joint of said arm. The force generator is further configured to control the traction force to be within a predetermined range.

A spine board is provided having a skull tong anchor assembly slidably attached to the spine board where a push rod mechanism is used to apply traction force on the skull tong anchor assembly. The push rod mechanism includes a strain gauge device so that the traction force can be selected and monitored. The spine board can also include a mattress that can be attached to the spine board where the mattress includes integrated shoulder straps that can be partially detached therefrom to secure a patient to the spine board.

A foot-based massage apparatus includes a base member having a first end portion and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A top surface of the base member has a generally rectangular configuration. A first connector member is coupled to the first end portion, and a second connector member is coupled to the second end portion. A flexible member is coupled to the first connector member and the second connector member. When tension is applied to the flexible member, the flexible member supports a massage practitioner providing a foot-based massage. A first gripping member and a second gripping member are coupled to the base member. The first gripping member and the second gripping member restrict movement of the base member relative to a supporting surface.