Neck treatment device

Abstract

Neck treatment devices for treating the neck of a person is disclosed herein. The treatment devices have front to back treatment elements with multiple extending ridges located in spaced apart side by side relationship extending substantially in parallel from, at or towards the front edge of treatment element to the back edge of treatment element with a relatively gentle sloping curve in their front portion and a more pronounced curve in their back portion. A method of using the neck treatment device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A neck treatment device comprising: a first neck treatment element having multiple first treatment ridges for treating a first side of the neck of a person on, at or towards one side of a central spinal portion of the neck; a second neck treatment element having multiple second treatment ridges for treating a second side of the neck of a person on, towards or at the other side of the central spinal portion of the neck, the first neck treatment element being spaced apart from the second neck treatment element to define a receiver therebetween for at least in part receiving at least some of the central spinal portion of the neck; wherein the multiple first and second neck treatment ridges are arranged to extend outwardly in profile from the respective neck treatment elements to an extent to direct posterior to anterior forces within the neck region onto the cervical facet joints and muscles of a person lying supine on the neck treatment device to mobilize the neck joints of the person when in a stationary position, or to mobilize the neck joint by movement if the person moves their head and neck, the muscles of the person receiving direct therapeutic massaging force; and wherein the multiple first neck treatment ridges has a first innermost ridge, a first middle treatment ridge, and a first outermost ridge, and the multiple second neck treatment ridges has a second outermost ridge, a second middle treatment ridge, and a second innermost ridge such that the first innermost ridge, first middle treatment ridge, and first outermost ridge is arranged concavely in front view with the first and second outermost ridges extending higher than the first and second innermost ridges and the first and second middle treatment ridge extend in between the height of the first and second innermost ridges and first and second outermost ridges relative to a base of the device to an extent to uniformly match the convex shape of the head and neck of the person lying supine on the neck treatment device; wherein the multiple first treatment ridges and multiple second treatment ridges have a continuously upwardly sloping convex compound curve starting at a front portion and ending in a rear back portion relative the base, the sloping convex compound curve being more pronounced toward the rear back portion relative the front portion so that when the person lies supine the person has the ability provide less or more pressure to the cervical facet joints based person resting their head or neck on the front or the back portion; wherein each of the first treatment ridges and each of the second treatment ridges are configured to engage the human neck cervical joints; wherein the first and second innermost ridges are 25 mm to 30 mm from a center of the neck treatment device; wherein the first and second middle treatment ridge, are 60 mm to 65 mm from the center of the neck treatment device other from the center; wherein the first and second outermost ridges are 95 mm to 105 mm from the center of the neck treatment device wherein each of the first treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm; and wherein each of the second treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm.

2. A method of using a neck treatment device or structure for treating a person suffering from a neck pain condition, comprising: locating the neck treatment device on a substrate; and positioning the neck of the person on the neck treatment device wherein the neck treatment device comprises a first neck treatment element having multiple first treatment ridges comprising a first innermost ridge, a first middle ridge and a first outermost ridge for treating the neck of a person on, at or towards a first side of a central spinal portion of the neck, a second neck treatment element having multiple second treatment ridges comprising a second outermost ridge, a second middle ridge and a second innermost ridge for treating the neck of a person on, towards or at a second side of the central spinal portion of the neck, the first neck treatment element being spaced apart from the second neck treatment element to define a receiver for receiving at least some of the central spinal portion of the neck wherein the multiple first and second treatment ridges are arranged to extend outwardly in profile from the neck treatment device to an extent to direct posterior to anterior forces onto the cervical facet joints and muscles of a person lying supine on the neck treatment device to mobilize the neck joints of the person when in a stationary position, or to mobilize the neck joint with movement when the person moves their head and neck, the muscles of the person receiving direct therapeutic massaging force; wherein the multiple first treatment ridges and the multiple second treatment ridges are arranged concavely in front view with the respective outermost ridges extending higher than the respective innermost ridges and the first and second middle ridge extend in between the height of the first and second innermost ridges and first and second outermost ridges relative to a base of the device to an extent to uniformly match the convex shape of the head and neck of the person lying supine on the device thereby treating the neck condition; wherein the multiple first treatment ridges and multiple second treatment ridges have continuously upwardly sloping convex compound curve starting at a front portion and ending in a rear back portion relative the base, the sloping convex compound curve being more pronounced toward the rear back portion relative the front portion so that when the person lies supine the person has the ability provide less or more pressure to the cervical facet joints based person resting their head or neck on the front or the back portion; wherein each of the first treatment ridges and each of the second treatment ridges are configured to engage the human neck cervical joints; wherein the first and second innermost ridges are 25 mm to 30 mm from a center of the neck treatment device; wherein the first and second middle treatment ridge, are 60 mm to 65 mm from the center of the neck treatment device; wherein the first and second outermost ridges are 95 mm to 105 mm from the center of the neck treatment device; wherein each of the first treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm; and wherein each of the second treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm.

3. A chair having a chair back and a chair seat, the chair back being provided with a neck treatment device for relieving pain and supporting the neck of an occupant when seated on the seat portion of the chair with the neck in contact with the neck treatment device, the neck treatment device comprising: a first neck treatment element with multiple first treatment ridges comprises a first outermost ridge, a first middle ridge and a first innermost ridge, comprising a second outermost ridge, a second middle ridge and a second innermost ridge for treating the neck of a person on, at or towards a first side of a central spinal portion of the neck; a second neck treatment element with multiple second treatment ridges for treating the neck of a person on, at or towards a second side of the central spinal portion of the neck, the first neck treatment element being spaced apart from the second neck treatment element to define a receiver therebetween for receiving at least some of the central spinal portion of the neck; wherein the multiple first and second neck treatment elements are arranged to extend outwardly in profile from the neck treatment device to an extent to direct posterior to anterior forces onto the cervical facet joints and muscles of a person lying supine on the neck treatment device to mobilize the neck joints of the person when in a stationary position, or to mobilize the neck joints with movement when the person moves their head and neck, the muscles of the person receiving direct therapeutic massaging force, and wherein the multiple first treatment ridges and the multiple second treatment ridges are arranged concavely in front view with the respective outermost ridges extending higher than the respective innermost ridges and the first and second middle treatment ridge extend in between the height of the first and second innermost ridges and first and second outermost ridges relative to a base of the device to an extent to uniformly match the convex shape of the head and neck of the person lying supine on the device; wherein the multiple first treatment ridges and multiple second treatment ridges have a continuously upwardly sloping convex compound curve starting at a front portion and ending in a rear back portion relative the base, the sloping convex compound curve being more pronounced toward the rear back portion relative the front portion so that when the person lies supine the person has the ability provide less or more pressure to the cervical facet joints based person resting their head or neck on the front or the back portion; wherein each of the first treatment ridges and each of the second treatment ridges are configured to engage the human neck cervical joints; wherein the first and second innermost ridges are 25 mm to 30 mm from a center of the neck treatment device; wherein the first and second middle treatment ridge, are 60 mm to 65 mm from the center of the neck treatment device; wherein the first and second outermost ridges are 95 mm to 105 mm from the center of the neck treatment device; wherein each of the first treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm; and wherein each of the second treatment ridges 4 mm to 10 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described by non-limiting example with reference to the various embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a neck treatment device;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the neck treatment device of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the neck treatment device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the neck treatment device of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is an underneath view of the neck treatment device of FIG. 1;

(7) FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic perspective views of two different other forms of the neck treatment device;

(8) FIGS. 7a, b, c, d, e and f are schematic side elevation views of other forms of the neck treatment device showing different profiles of the neck treatment elements;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one form of a chair having one form of the treatment device attached to the headrest of the chair;

(10) FIG. 9 includes views showing selected measurements, of one form of the neck treatment device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) In FIG. 1 is shown one form of a neck treatment device, generally denoted as 2, having two opposed and identical side sections 4a, 4b located on either side of the device.

(12) Side portion 4b includes neck treatment elements in the form of multiple ridges, generally denoted as 6.

(13) Ridges 6 can be formed integrally with the device 2 or can be in the form of a panel or insert, similar to that shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 8, or can be an insert for attaching to the top face of device 2, or be in any other form.

(14) One form of the treatment elements includes outwardly extending ridges 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b and 14a, 14b located in spaced apart side by side relationship to one another extending substantially in parallel from, at or towards the front edge 16 of the treatment portion to the back edge 18 of the treatment portion in the upper portion of device 2. Although one form of the treatment elements is shown in the form of six ridges, it is to be noted that the number of ridges can take any suitable number, distribution, type or the like.

(15) Ridges 10, 12 and 14 are each generally curved in profile as best illustrated in FIG. 2 such as for example, having a relatively gentle sloping curve in their front portion 16 and a more pronounced curve in their rear back portion 18 for providing less or more pressure to the cervical (neck) facet joints respectively when lying on the device supine. However, as will be described below, ridges 10, 12, and 14 can have any suitable profile.

(16) A receiver in the form of a valley 8 is formed between the two centre ridges 10a and 10b. Valley 8 is for receiving the spinous processes of the cervical spine to help locate the neck correctly in the centre of treatment portion 6 and to assist in providing comfort for the spine when a person lies supine on device 2. The cervical (neck) facet joints of the person rest on the ridges 10, and 12, and the remainder of the neck, and occasionally the base of the skull (occiput) of the person rests against the ridge 14.

(17) Owing to the width between the projections of the upwardly facing parts of each ridge 10,12, and 14, when a person lies on device 2 with their spine centrally located within valley 8, the presence of ridges 10 and 12 exert direct pressure onto the cervical (facet) joints on either side of the neck. When a person lies on device 2, the ridges 10 and 12 are contacting the erector spinai and upper cervical (neck) extensor muscles on either side or adjacent to the spine and apply pressure directly through to the cervical (neck) facet joints of the person so that the facet joints are therapeutically mobilised thereby relieving joint pain and stiffness, headaches, and cervical (neck) muscles are massaged and thereby relieving muscle tightness, tension, and headaches.

(18) As illustrated in the frontal view shown in FIG. 2, ridges 10, 12 and 14 are generally arranged in a concave arrangement in frontal cross-section or front view as best illustrated in FIG. 2 where ridges 10a, 10b take the form of the innermost and lowest sections of the concave curve on each side of device 2, and ridges 14 take the form of the outermost and highest sections of the concave curve on either side of device 2. The concave arrangement allows for uniform matching of the convex shape of the head and neck when resting on the neck treatment device treatment element ridges. However, the ridges can have any suitable arrangement in the frontal view.

(19) In one form, the neck treatment elements of the present invention are formed more or less as a one piece construction as shown in FIG. 1 or as an insert, or insertable panel as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 8.

(20) A modified form of the neck treatment device is the embodiment shown in perspective in FIG. 6b and in profile in FIG. 7a of the drawings, which embodiment has a similar construction to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and that illustrated in FIG. 6a except that ridges 10, 12, and 14, instead of being continuously curved ridges extending from the front edge 16 of treatment portion 6 to the back edge 18 of treatment portion 6, are arranged in separate discrete treatment nodules 50 in generally spaced apart relationship to one another in the front to back direction.

(21) In FIG. 6b, treatment elements 50 can have any suitable shape or profile provided the two sets of treatment elements on either side of valley 8 combine to produce a mobilising force to the cervical (neck) facet joints. In one form, the blocks 50 can be of a generally rounded shape as shown generally in FIGS. 1, 6a, 6b, and 7a whereas in another form, they could be rectangular, trapezoidal, knobs, spikes, triangular or square in profile or have any suitable shape.

(22) Another form of the treatment element 6 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7b, where the ridges 10, 12, and 14 are each curved in profile as best illustrated in FIG. 7b such as for example, having a relatively symmetrical sloping curve 60 from their front 16 portion to their back 18 portion.

(23) Another form of the treatment element 6 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7c, where the ridges 10, 12, and 14 are each curved in profile as best illustrated in FIG. 7c such as for example, having a relatively gentle sloping curve in their back 18 portion and a more pronounced curve in their front 18 portion (reverse of FIG. 1).

(24) Another form of the treatment element 6 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7d, where the ridges 10, 12, and 14 are each curved in profile as best illustrated in FIG. 7d such as for example, having a relatively symmetrical sloping curve from their front 16 portion to their back 18 portion but there is a more pronounced treatment element 70 in the midpoint of the front 16 and back 18 of the treatment element 6.

(25) Another form of the treatment device is shown in FIG. 7e which has a relatively symmetrical sloping curve from front portion 16 to rear portion 18 but there is a more pronounced treatment element 80 in the rear portion 18 of the treatment element 6.

(26) A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7f where ridges 10, 12, and 14 are provided with projections in the form of knobs 40 arranged over the surface of ridges 10, 12, and 14. Although one form of the projections is shown in the form of knobs, it is to be noted that the projections can take any suitable form, shape, distribution, type or the like.

(27) The bottom view shown in FIG. 5 can either be totally flat, or can have a hollow section 90 for conveying fluid or apparatus therethrough in the event that the treatment element is required to be heated, cooled, vibrated or the like.

(28) The distance between the treatment elements of the neck treatment device, match the average distance between the cervical (neck) facet joints.

(29) The valley present between the central two spaced-apart ridges on the treatment element portion of the device where the spinous processes sit, reduces the pressure applied to the spine as the spinous processes are not in contact with the device.

(30) The user lies on the present invention in supine (face-up) and through the weight of the head and neck on top of the device forces, as generated by gravity, are applied directly to the cervical (neck) facet joints through the cervical (neck) muscles) in a posterior to anterior direction.

(31) These forces applied to the facet joints and muscles relieve joint pain and stiffness, reduce muscle tension and trigger points, and relieve headaches, as per a therapeutic treatment from a health professional such as a Physical Therapist, Osteopath, Chiropractor, Massage Therapist. But this is in contrast to a treatment delivered by a health professional as the user can treat their own neck and control the forces applied to their neck in the comfort of their chosen surroundings.

(32) The valley present between the central two spaced-apart ridges on the treatment element portion of the device where the spinous processes sit, reduces the pressure applied to the spine as the spinous processes are not in contact with the device.

(33) These therapeutic treatment forces relieve the effects of poor slouched postures where the weight and gravitational forces acting on the neck are absorbed by the passive restraints of the spine, such as the joints, ligaments, muscles, discs and nerves which leads to the development of pain and injury or damage.

(34) The described arrangement has been advanced by explanation and many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which includes every novel feature and novel combination of features herein disclosed.

(35) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope.