POSTURE IMPROVEMENT DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USE

Abstract

A posture improvement device provides neuromuscular stimulation or proprioceptive therapy using a combination of pressure, torque and angle simultaneously applied to a user in order to train body muscles for proper posture through muscle memory. The device comprises a garment designed to be worn by the user, which is preferably configured like a short-sleeved undershirt or T-shirt. The garment may be fabricated of a stretchable, yet taut material in order to provide the desirable form-fitting feature such that pressure may be readily applied to the surface of the skin for neuromuscular stimulation. This elastomeric material is also preferably breathable and/or which has moisture wicking capabilities.

Claims

1. A garment for proprioceptively treating a wearer, comprising: an anterior portion; a posterior portion joined to the anterior portion, wherein each of said anterior portion and said posterior portion are fabricated of a thin, elastomeric material which is form-fitting, in order to apply pressure to the surface of the wearer's skin to enhance neuromuscular stimulation thereto; a proprioceptive panel integrated with said posterior garment portion and positioned to extend over the upper back or inter scapular region of the wearer, said proprioceptive panel being fabricated of an elastomeric material and having characteristics which cause the garment to stimulate optimal scapular position.

2. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said proprioceptive panel is comprised of the same elastomeric material as said posterior portion.

3. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said proprioceptive panel is comprised of a heavier, more dense elastomeric material than that comprising a remainder of said posterior portion.

4. The garment as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an elastic band disposed on said proprioceptive panel, which is fabricated of a stronger elastomeric material than that comprising the proprioceptive panel.

5. The garment as recited in claim 4, wherein said elastic band is positioned to substantially coincide with the inferior medial border of the wearer's scapula.

6. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said proprioceptive panel is positioned to extend along substantially an entire length of the spine of the wearer.

7. The garment as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a shoulder strap portion positioned to extend from said proprioceptive panel upwardly and over the wearer's shoulder toward the garment anterior portion, said shoulder strap portion being integrated with the garment posterior portion and being comprised of elastomeric material.

8. The garment as recited in claim 7, wherein said shoulder strap portion comprises a plurality of shoulder strap portions.

9. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the proprioceptive panel is generally triangular in shape, positioned to extend downwardly from the shoulders of the wearer toward an apex positioned to be disposed at approximately the small of the wearer's back.

10. The garment as recited in claim 1, and further comprising an arm strap portion extending from said proprioceptive panel and positioned to proceed about an arm of the wearer toward the anterior portion of the garment, said arm strap portion being integrated with the garment posterior portion and being comprised of elastomeric material.

11. The garment as recited in claim 1, and further comprising nerve receptor stimulators disposed on an inner surface of said garment, for contacting the wearer's skin and creating additional proprioceptive stimulation when the garment is worn.

12. The garment as recited in claim 11, wherein said nerve receptor stimulators comprise a plurality of neuro nubs, extending inwardly from the inner surface of said garment.

13. The garment as recited in claim 12, wherein said neuro nubs comprise soft, tacky bumps.

14. The garment as recited in claim 11, wherein said nerve receptor stimulators comprise proprioceptive viscoelastic pads.

15. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein the material comprising each of said anterior and posterior portions also comprises a moisture wicking material.

16. The garment as recited in claim 1, wherein said proprioceptive panel is stitched to said posterior portion.

17. A method of making a garment for proprioceptively treating a wearer; comprising: a) joining a posterior portion to an anterior portion of said garment together, wherein each of said posterior portion and said anterior portion are comprised of a thin, elastomeric material, the joined posterior and anterior portions forming a garment resembling a shirt ; and b) joining a proprioceptive panel, comprised of an elastomeric material, to said posterior portion, in a location wherein when the garment is worn by a user, the proprioceptive panel is disposed over at least a portion of the user's spine and inter scapular region.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein said joining steps are performed by stitching the posterior portion and the anterior portion together, and stitching the proprioceptive panel to the posterior portion.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the proprioceptive panel comprises a second layer of material over the base material forming the posterior portion.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the proprioceptive panel is integrated with the posterior portion in such a manner that only a single layer of material results.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is an anterior view of an embodiment of the garment of the present invention, being worn by a user;

[0024] FIG. 2 is a posterior view of the garment of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 2A is a side view of a section of neuro nubs for use with the garments of the invention;

[0026] FIGS. 3-5 are sequential views of another embodiment of a garment of the present invention, illustrating a sequence of fabrication of the garment to include the advantageous posture-improving features of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a view, in isolation, of a specific tension elastic posture patch for use in fabricating the garment of FIGS. 3-5;

[0028] FIG. 7 is an anterior view of still another embodiment of a garment of the present invention; and

[0029] FIG. 8 is a posterior view of the embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 2 are views of a first embodiment of a posture improvement garment 10 , which is configured to be worn by a user 12 and which is configured to envelop at least a portion of the user's torso and at least a portion of the user's upper arms. In this regard, the garment 10 is generally configured to be similar to one of a short-sleeved undershirt, T-shirt, or polo shirt. While the illustrated garment 10 is designed as a “pull-over” style, the garment may also be provided with an open or partially open front or back portion, which is selectively closeable by means of known garment closure systems, such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, and the like. Such a style eases the wearability of the garment because it can be put on or removed without pulling the garment over one's head.

[0031] The embodiments illustrated in the aforementioned '656 application have been shown to have a remarkable proprioceptive therapeutic effect on the wearer, substantially improving his/her posture and relieving pain related to poor posture and related muscle strain. However, the illustrated embodiments in that application are not particularly adapted for use in casual recreational and social settings, or for routine retail sale to consumers. Because of the external strapping, if they are to be worn in such settings, aesthetics dictate that they be worn under external garments, which must be relatively bulky and heavy to adequately cover the therapeutic garment. Accordingly, the present invention performs many of the same functions as the prior embodiments disclosed in the '656 application without the use of external strapping. Similar proprioceptive effects are achieved by the use of strategically placed stretch panels and proprioceptive pads, integrated directly into the material used to fabricate the garment. As a result, the garments of the present invention are particularly suited for the consumer market, as they are attractive and comfortable.

[0032] Regarding material from which the garment 10 may be fabricated, it is preferred that the material be thin, and have an elastic quality that stretches or moves with the user's body, in order to provide a desirable form-fitting feature such that pressure may be readily applied to the surface of the user's skin in order to enhance neuromuscular stimulation thereto. The material may contain, but not be limited to, polyester, spandex, elastic, nylon, and the like. It may have metal ions woven into it, or other mechanical sweat wicking, temperature regulating materials which are known in the art and function in an equivalent way to regulate temperature and wick moisture. Its breathability and/or moisture wicking capabilities function to improve the user's comfort level during periodic wearing of the device 10.

[0033] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, there is shown a elastic stretch panel or proprioceptive posture patch 14. As shown, the patch 14 is generally triangular in shape (its border is represented by the dotted outline in the drawing), and is welded or sewn into the upper back, or inter scapular region, extending downwardly from both shoulders of the user 12 to a point 16 disposed at the small of the user's back. The proprioceptive posture patch 14 is fabricated of an elastic material, which may be the same as that from which the garment 10 is fabricated, or it may alternatively be a heavier, more dense elastic material to assist in support of relatively weak middle or lower trapezious, rhomboid, and serratus musculature respectively. The purpose of the patch 14 is to stimulate optimal scapular position. This is the functional base for optimal posture and scapular kinematics. The patch may be disposed as a second layer atop the base layer of the garment, or may alternatively be blended (integrated) into the garment material, using suitable production techniques, to form a single composite layer.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, an elastic band 18 is employed in about the midpoint of the patch 14, which is fabricated of stronger elastic than that used for the patch 14. The band 18 is positioned to substantially coincide with the inferior medial border of the scapula.

[0035] As demonstrated by the arrows 20, the base layer of the garment 10 has a posterior (retracting) directional influence on the body of the user 12. Referring now to FIG. 1, as well as FIG. 2, two upper arm straps 22 and two shoulder straps 24 begin on the anterior side of the garment 10 (FIG. 1) and continue around to the posterior side, as shown (FIG. 2). These straps 22, 24 are built into the garment 10, in much the same way as the patch 14. The arm straps 22 are designed to provide a specific directional pull on the infraspinatus and teres minor muscles. The shoulder straps 24 are designed to influence problems relating to posterior scapular tilt, in part by influencing the pectoralis minor muscle adjacent to the coracoid process.

[0036] Darts 26 (FIG. 2) may be used to enhance posterior pull/cue to help the scapula to attain an optimal position.

[0037] As can be seen in each of FIGS. 1 and 2, viscoelastic tape 28 may be disposed about the hem of the garment 10, for the purpose of preventing migration of the garment. Alternative means providing a tacky surface for contacting the user's skin may instead be used.

[0038] It should be noted that the specific angles of arrows shown in FIG. 2 may indicate coupled motion influence upon the axis of the scapula, caused by the various elastomeric elements of the garment 10.

[0039] The various dots 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are neuro nubs. These neuro nubs are more particularly shown in FIG. 2A. These neuro nubs 30 preferably comprise soft, tacky bumps, or cutaneous nerve receptor stimulators, which are designed to provide a massaging, stimulating effect when the user moves. As shown, these nubs 30 are disposed on each of the straps 22 and 24, where they stimulate portions of the body adjacent to rotator cuff muscle attachment points on the humerus, as well as pectoralis minor muscles in the vicinity of the coracoid process. In general, the inventor has found that patterns of such neuro nubs 30 are helpful in creating proprioceptive stimulation, and also function to provide decreased migration of the garment 10 as the body moves throughout its full range of motion. They are disposed at specific areas on the inside surface of the garment, to stimulate cutaneous nerve receptors in the skin and soft tissue structures to enhance “noise” that creates cues to the brain, enhancing muscle balance, body position awareness, posture, function, and performance.

[0040] Desired locations of the neuro nubs 30 are at known acupuncture sites, as stimulation of these specific energy meridians enhances blood flow and stimulates normal physiology to organs and soft tissues that supply movement, support, and information crucial to those seeking optimal health and function.

[0041] Although one elastic panel 18 and four elastic straps 22, 24 are shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of such panels 18 and/or straps 22, 24, of various shapes and sizes, may be employed if desired. As noted, the stretch panels 18 and straps 22, 24 may be constructed of the same or similar materials as the garment 10 or patch 14. The panels 18 and straps 22, 24 function to stimulate muscles that are too tight (the panels/straps will stretch these muscles), or too loose and undertoned (the panels/straps will add tone to these muscles and encourage/stimulate them to work). Conventional approaches to date have focused on mechanical support systems that have been shown to create atrophy and a reliance on a brace, which in the long term can create a system of dependence that the inventor believes is detrimental to optimal health and efficient recovery and performance. The elastic or stretch panels/straps as well as the patch(es) 14, on the other hand, create specific traction and tactile stimulation of cutaneous nerves in the skin There are a minimum of 20,000 of such nerves per square inch of skin that will transfer specific information to the receptors (mechanoreceptors/nociceptors) that exist by the thousands/millions in the muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint surfaces, causing a predictable unloading of specific, predictable and common muscle imbalances that create and perpetuate joint stress and injury throughout the body.

[0042] Now referring to FIGS. 3-6, there is shown a somewhat modified embodiment of the garment 10 of the invention. The posterior side of the garment is shown. The views in FIGS. 3-5 are sequential, wherein, as shown in FIG. 3, a V 32 has been cut out of the shirt. In this embodiment of the invention, an optional belt or strap 34 is provided at the base of the garment 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the edges of the V 32 have been sewn together along seam 36. Then for additional support, an elastic posture patch 38 is applied over the seam 36 as shown. The elastic patch 38 is adapted to apply specific tension along arrows 40 to assist the user's posture, as discussed above.

[0043] Still another, presently preferred, embodiment of the garment 10 of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. This embodiment is similar in many respects to the prior embodiments, but employs an elastic or stretch band or panel 42 which extends along substantially the entire length of the spine of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 8. Straps 44 are also provided, which extend, as shown, from the patch 42 up and over each shoulder of the user. The straps 44 preferably extend over the shoulder and onto the anterior side of the garment, as shown in FIG. 7. The panels 42, 44 are integrated into the remainder of the garment 10 by stitching 46. This configuration has been found to substantially increase and enhance the cues which proprioceptively stimulate the user's brain and body to a corrected posture.

[0044] Significantly, in all of the illustrated embodiments, the posterior panel of the shirt is smaller than the anterior panel (which are sewn together), preferably by about two inches. This increases the retractive pull of the shirt, and thus the compression applied to the user's skin

[0045] Proprioceptive viscoelastic pads may optionally be employed in each of the illustrated embodiments, on the inside surface thereof, either permanently or releasably mounted thereto, for contacting the user's skin at strategic locations in order to increase the proprioceptive effect of the garment. These pads, preferably made of silicone, have a skin-contacting surface which is grooved or otherwise modified to improve tactile response, using an acupuncture-type approach. The pressure generated by the garment 10 creates an acupressure effect. In one embodiment, two of these pads may be deployed on the chest region of the user, while two others are deployed on the scapula border, but, of course, the strategic locations and numbers of pads may be varied in accordance with specific therapeutic objectives.

[0046] To summarize, the present invention uniquely functions, due to its proprioceptive approach, to address the following conditions:

[0047] a) upper trapezium pain,

[0048] b) rotator cuff weakness, by optimizing scapular position to improve the rotator cuff muscle,

[0049] c) mid-thoracic pain, by decreasing tension in the periscapular muscles,

[0050] d) scapular dyskinesis,

[0051] e) biceps tendinitis,

[0052] f) thoracic outlet syndrome,

[0053] g) impingement syndrome, and

[0054] h) glenohumeral instability.

[0055] Essentially, the garment of the invention functions to create an exoskeleton for the user's body, thereby allowing for the proprioceptive treatment of strategic regions. Increased pressure is applied to these strategic body regions to perform the advantageous proprioceptive treatment. Prior art approaches involved mechanical treatment, i.e. physically manipulating portions of the body to desired configurations. This modern inventive approach instead induces a nervous system response through the application of strategic proprioceptive compression. There is no attempt to physically move portions of the body.

[0056] Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.