BACK THERAPY APPARATUS

Abstract

A back-therapy apparatus for vertebral massage comprises at least one first manipulating element (743) comprising a first engagement member (744) and at least one second manipulating element (743) comprising a second engagement member (744). The first and second engagement members (744) are arranged such that, in use, they are each situated on opposite sides of a patient's vertebral column. The first engagement member (744) is operable to contact and manipulate vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes from one side of the vertebral column and the second engagement member (744) is operable to contact and manipulate the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes from the opposite side of the vertebral column. The first and second manipulating elements (743) are operable independently of each other to move the first and second engagement members (744) respectively into and out of contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes thereby manipulating rotational movement of the vertebral column.

Claims

1. A back therapy apparatus operable to apply vertebral massage to a person's back, the apparatus comprising: a support frame; a plurality of first manipulating elements movably mounted with respect to the support frame and each one of the plurality of first manipulating elements having a respective first engagement member thereon; a plurality of second manipulating elements movably mounted with respect to the support frame and each one of the plurality of second manipulating elements having a respective second engagement member thereon; a controller operable to control actuators coupled to the first and second manipulating elements to effect individual displacement of the first manipulating elements independent of the second manipulating elements with respect to the support frame; wherein the first and second engagement members are arranged such that, in use, they are arranged and distributed along the length of the vertebral column, wherein the first engagement members are situated on one side of the vertebral column and the second engagement members are situated on an opposite side of the vertebral column wherein the first and second manipulating elements are arranged in pairs, wherein each first manipulating element is associated with a corresponding second manipulating element; wherein each first engagement member is operable to contact and manipulate a first vertebral area between spinous and transverse processes from one side of the vertebral column and each second engagement member is operable to contact and manipulate a second vertebral area between spinous and transverse processes from the opposite side of the vertebral column, wherein the first manipulating elements facilitate movement of one or more of the first engagement members into and out of contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes separate from movement of a corresponding adjacent one or more of the second engagement members thereby manipulating displacement of the vertebral column, wherein the controller is operable to monitor and control amplitude of displacement of the first and second engagement members and further comprises a load and/or position sensor operable to sense load and/or position of soft tissue in the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes and wherein the controller is operable to control each of the first and second manipulating elements individually or in banks of two or more wherein the controller is operable to control and/or program a sequence of movements of the first and second manipulating elements, to create movement of the spine towards both sides, by controlling the first and second engagement members to at least partially engage the area of the spine between the spinous and transverse processes, by applying force towards the base of the area from each one of their sides and then create a first movement by applying forces towards one side first and then towards the opposite side, to compensate the first movement, wherein the apparatus is adaptable to shapes and contours of a person's vertebral anatomy and arranged to apply a force simultaneously along the length of the spine thereby to provide therapy along the full length of the spine, wherein the engagement members are moveable both back and forwards in a direction substantially to or away from the spine and side to side with respect to the spine.

2. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements are each operable to facilitate movement of the first and second engagement members from a direction substantially perpendicular to the person's back to a direction that is substantially parallel to the person's back and from a direction that is substantially parallel to the person's back to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a person's back.

3. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements are each operable to facilitate unidirectional movement of the engagement members into and out of contact with the vertebral area between the spinous processes and the transverse processes at an angle between perpendicular and parallel to the person's back, wherein pressure is applied in a direction towards the opposite side of the person's vertebral column from the side at which the respective engagement member is located.

4. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements comprise a sensing element operable to sense load and/or displacement of the first and second engagement members when in contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes; and being operable to provide feedback of said displacement and/or force as an indication of vertebral stiffness or pain.

5. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements are operable to adjust the first and second engagement members' orientation respectively, such that the apparatus is adaptable to shapes and contours of a person's vertebral anatomy.

6. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the first and second engagement members relative to adjacent and corresponding first and second engagement members and relative to the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes is adjustable responsively in contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes.

7. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements comprise jointed members.

8. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second engagement members comprise a resilient contact surface.

9. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements comprise shape memory material.

10. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second engagement members comprise shape memory material.

11. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the controller is operable to automate movement of each of the first and second manipulating elements relative to each other and, in use, relative to vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes on a person's back optionally wherein the controller is operable to control frequency of movement of each of the first and second manipulating elements.

12. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to sense or measure displacement from each of the first and second manipulating elements and/or first and second engagement members thereby being operable to identify stiffness in a person's vertebral column.

13. A back-therapy apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second manipulating elements emulate fingers and the first and second engagement members emulate fingertips.

14. A massage table incorporating the back-therapy apparatus comprising: a support frame; a plurality of first manipulating elements movably mounted with respect to the support frame and each one of the plurality of first manipulating elements having a respective first engagement member thereon; a plurality of second manipulating elements movably mounted with respect to the support frame and each one of the plurality of second manipulating elements having a respective second engagement member thereon; a controller operable to control actuators coupled to the first and second manipulating elements to effect individual displacement of the first manipulating elements independent of the second manipulating elements with respect to the support frame; wherein the first and second engagement members are arranged such that, in use, they are arranged and distributed along the length of the vertebral column, wherein the first engagement members are situated on one side of the vertebral column and the second engagement members are situated on an opposite side of the vertebral column wherein the first and second manipulating elements are arranged in pairs, wherein each first manipulating element is associated with a corresponding second manipulating element; wherein each first engagement member is operable to contact and manipulate a first vertebral area between spinous and transverse processes from one side of the vertebral column and each second engagement member is operable to contact and manipulate a second vertebral area between spinous and transverse processes from the opposite side of the vertebral column, wherein the first manipulating elements facilitate movement of one or more of the first engagement members into and out of contact with the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes separate from movement of a corresponding adjacent one or more of the second engagement members thereby manipulating displacement of the vertebral column, wherein the controller is operable to monitor and control amplitude of displacement of the first and second engagement members and further comprises a load and/or position sensor operable to sense load and/or position of soft tissue in the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes and wherein the controller is operable to control each of the first and second manipulating elements individually or in banks of two or more wherein the controller is operable to control and/or program a sequence of movements of the first and second manipulating elements, to create movement of the spine towards both sides, by controlling the engagement members to at least partially engage the area of the spine between the spinous and transverse processes, by applying force towards the base of the area from each one of their sides and then create a first movement by applying forces towards one side first and then towards the opposite side, to compensate the first movement, wherein the apparatus is adaptable to shapes and contours of a person's vertebral anatomy and arranged to apply a force simultaneously along the length of the spine thereby to provide therapy along the full length of the spine wherein the engagement members are movable both back and forwards in a direction substantially to or away from the spine and side to side with respect to the spine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] FIG. 1 illustrates the principles underlying the present invention.

[0102] FIGS. 2 to 8 represent different embodiments of the present invention.

[0103] FIG. 9 illustrates a massage table incorporating an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] Referring to FIG. 1 a method utilising an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is now described. The method comprises the application of one or more forces/pressure, indicated generally by reference numbers 1 and 2, to the soft tissue 3 located adjacent to each side of the vertebral column in the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes 4. The one or more forces are applied partially towards the base of the area between the spinous and transverse processes 4 and partially towards a second side of the vertebral column opposite the first side such that a substantial length of vertebral column is simultaneously rotated or rocked by the action of said forces on a plurality of vertebral areas between the spinous and transverse processes 4.

[0105] The aim of the method is to create movement of the spine to both sides so that the vertebral junctions 5 loosen up. In order to do that it is important to move the spine as an elongated cylinder, without torsional movements because this facilitates movements of the vertebral joints.

[0106] To create movement of the spine towards both sides, it is important to at least partially engage the area of the spine between the spinous and transverse processes, by applying force towards the base of the area from each one of their sides and then create movement by applying forces towards one side first and then towards the opposite side, to compensate the first movement. This requires a substantial amount of force in persons with stiff back problems and sometimes it is desirable to extend the reach of the hand, so that more length of the backbone can be moved at once.

[0107] It is also important that the movements are applied uniformly, gradually, firmly and over prolonged periods of time. A suitable frequency of movements lies in the range of about 6 to 10 movements per minute, although other frequency may also impart benefits.

[0108] Although a substantial amount of force is required, caution must be exercised not to apply excessive force in local points so as to not cause bruises, pain or excessive discomfort.

[0109] Referring now to FIG. 2 an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 10 that comprises two elongated narrow surfaces 12, 14. The elongated narrow surfaces 12, 14 are padded with foam surrounded by anti-allergenic artificial leather, for a soft feel and adaptability to the back profile. The surfaces are mounted onto two rigid wooden bars 16, 18. There are two gripping portions on the bars 20, 22 at the opposite sides of the padded surfaces in the shape of handles to facilitate the simultaneous application of force to an elongated area at each side of the vertebral column.

[0110] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment 100 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the padded elongated surfaces 112, 114 are mounted parallel to each other onto a rigid support 116. The support 116 comprises handles 120 to facilitate manual application of force onto the sides of the backbone.

[0111] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment 200 of the present invention, similar to that shown in FIG. 3, with the additional feature that the support is divided in two sections 222, 224 which are connected with an extendable and compressible portion 226, such as a bellows. The bellows, 226 allows independent application of force with each padded surface 212, 214 onto each side of the vertebral column, so that, for example, force may be applied to one side of the column, while the apparatus may be also used to provide support to the opposite side of the vertebral column simultaneously.

[0112] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment 300 of the present invention, similar to that shown in FIG. 4, with the additional feature that the elongated surfaces are divided into a plurality of padded buds 328. There are twenty buds 328 on each side of the apparatus 300. By having a plurality of individually padded buds 328 or surfaces that define an elongated area it is possible to apply simultaneously a force to an elongated portion at each side of the vertebral column while avoiding applying excessive force or pressure to local points so as to reduce the possibility of creating bruises, pain or excessive discomfort.

[0113] In the embodiment 400 shown in FIG. 6, the padded buds 428 are mounted on two parallel supports 422, 424 which are individually actuated by two hydraulic pistons 430 attached to each support. The hydraulic pistons 430 are arranged to move the supports 422, 424 horizontally in order to impart the desired movement to the vertebral column. This embodiment 400 allows that the massage can be applied without physical requirements to any therapist and therefore the forces can be applied over prolonged periods of time without causing exhaustion to the therapist.

[0114] The embodiment 500 shown in FIG. 7 is similar to the one shown in FIG. 6 with the only difference being that in the apparatus 500 of FIG. 7, only one support 522 is actuated hydraulically. The other support 524 is fixed and only acts as a support to resist the forces applied by the movable support 522 and to hold the person receiving the massage in position. In this embodiment, the person receiving the massage must move 180 degrees horizontally in order to receive the forces of the movable support 522 to the opposite side of the column.

[0115] FIG. 8A shows another embodiment 600 of the present invention. This embodiment 600 comprises a fulcrum mechanism to reduce the force applied manually in order to produce the benefits of the massage method described above. The apparatus 600 comprises two supports 622, 624 onto which two parallel pluralities of fingers 629 are mounted. The fingers 629 each comprises a bud 628, which provides a “fingertip” on each finger. In the illustrated example, the buds 628 are dampened by springs (not visible) located inside the fingers 629. The supports 622, 624 are actuated by levers 632, 634 through other supports 636, 638 and elastomeric connectors 640. The elastomeric connectors 640 allow the required flexibility to couple the movement of the levers 632, 634 to the movement of the fingers 629 which is forced by guides 642 along a desired path.

[0116] The forces are applied manually to the handles 644, 646 which are connected to the levers 632, 634. In this way, manual operation allows a better control of the forces and movements applied to the back of the person. The frequency and the sequence of movements are also applied as desired by manual operation.

[0117] The whole apparatus 600 is mounted on a base 648 that provides stability and support to the person.

[0118] FIG. 8B shows another embodiment 700 of the present invention. This embodiment is very similar to the apparatus shown in FIG. 8A with the only difference being the patch imposed by the guides 742 to the fingers 729. In this embodiment, the movement (indicated by arrows) of the fingers 742 follows an initial substantially vertical movement to engage the area between the spinous and transverse processes of the vertebral column and subsequently the path is substantially horizontal, to create translational horizontal movement of the fingers, such that the vertebral column is moved sideways or rotated.

[0119] FIG. 8C shows another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is shown as an end view of the apparatus included as part of the massage table 800 illustrated in FIG. 9.

[0120] In FIG. 8C two manipulating elements or fingers 743 are visible. In the illustrated example the fingers 743 are shown in a massage-ready position with one engagement member or “fingertip” 744 being located to the right of the spine and a second “fingertip” being located to the left of the spine. In the illustrated example, the action of the fingers 743 is controlled by a motor 745.

[0121] In the illustrated example a single motor 745 is operable to control the motion of each finger 743 such that the movement of the fingers in the direction C2 and C4 is alternated to create the required pressure and manipulation of the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes.

[0122] The motor 745 may be configured to rotate as indicated by arrows C1 and C3 wherein rotation of the motor 745 in a counter clockwise direction C1 causes movement of the left-hand finger 744 in the direction C2 towards the spine. Rotation of the motor in a clockwise direction C3 causes movement of the right-hand finger in the direction C4 towards the spine to apply pressure and to manipulate the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes as described above and as described further below with reference to FIG. 9.

[0123] The motor 745 facilitates movement of the fingers 743 and fingertips 744 to apply pressure and to manipulate the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes. The motion of the motor may be rotational as indicated by arrows C1 and C3 as described above or translational as indicated by arrows C5 in FIG. 8C.

[0124] The “fingertips” 744 and/or the fingers 743 may include load/position sensors (not illustrated), which are operable to sense load and/or position of the soft tissue in the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes. The sensed data can be collated such that a measure of change in stiffness and spinal curvature of the patient spine, during each therapy session or over a number of therapy sessions, can be monitored and displayed.

[0125] The illustrated example (see FIG. 8C) shows a single finger/fingertip 743, 744 located on each side of the vertebral column, but it should be appreciated that a plurality of fingers/fingertips may be included on each side of the vertebral column,

[0126] FIG. 9 illustrates how some of the previously described embodiments, in particular the massage apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8C, can be incorporated into a massage table 800. The massage table 800 comprises a massage apparatus 810 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The massage table also comprises a head rest 820 and a lumbar support 830, so that the person 840 can be comfortably supported while receiving the massage to their back. The massage table 800 can also include dorsal supports (not illustrated) to support the dorsal back areas distant to the vertebral column. The massage table 800 incorporating the apparatus as described above provides a controlled and substantially automated method of massaging the spinal area or vertebral column of a patient's back.

[0127] As can be seen in FIG. 9 the patient lies in the supine position with his/her back resting on the table 800. In the illustrated example, it is clear that in this position the patient's back is in contact with the fingers 744 protruding from the massage apparatus 810, Each finger 744 includes an initial resilience to take up the shape and form of the patient's spine before treatment begins. The treatment involves displacing one or more of the fingers on one side of the spine to generate localised displacement and/or rotation of the spine and alternating with displacement of the fingers on the other side.

[0128] The massage method comprises simultaneous displacement of one or more of the fingers 744 on one side of the vertebral column to apply pressure via the “fingertips” 743 to a band of soft tissue located to the side of the vertebral column; this action manipulates the area of the vertebral column to improve/restore mobility.

[0129] As can be seen from FIG. 9 it is possible, in one action, to apply pressure along the whole length of the vertebral column. Alternatively, it is possible to apply pressure to one side at one end simultaneously with pressure being applied to the opposite side and opposite end of the vertebral column.

[0130] The fingers 744 are displaced to apply pressure/force in a localised area via the fingertips 743. However, by controlling and/or automating the procedure using the apparatus as illustrated and described above it is possible to apply pressure at multiple locations simultaneously or in one location at a time sequentially along the length of the vertebral column.

[0131] Movement of each finger 744 causes displacement of the soft tissue, in the vertebral area between the spinous and transverse processes, adjacent to the vertebral column. As such, the displacement or resistance to displacement may be indicative of the mobility extent of a patient's spine. Therefore, it is anticipated that the apparatus as described above could also be used as a diagnostic tool to diagnose back problems.

[0132] A manual massage therapy session in the vertebral area generally lasts around 30 minutes. It will be appreciated that in the same time an apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 9 can deliver multiple pressure points simultaneously and sequentially more rapidly than a manual process. Therefore, the benefit of the apparatus compared with the conventional process is considered to be significant. A massage therapy session using the apparatus for 30 minutes is considered comparable with a four to six manual massage sessions. As such improved mobility of the spine will be evident much sooner when the massage is applied by an apparatus as described above compared with a manual process.

[0133] Dimensions, materials of construction and mechanisms may differ in various embodiments of the invention without departing from its principles.