Method for treating and preventing diseases having neurological, cardiological and therapeutic profiles

Abstract

The invention relates to medicine, and more particularly to gravity therapy, and can be used in the comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of patients having neurological, cardiological and therapeutic profiles with circulatory insufficiency. The technical result is achieved in that the patient is placed in a right lateral recumbent position on an inversion table with their legs bent at the knees and the thighs spread at 30-60 degrees. The patient is secured by the pelvis with the aid of a soft securing device. The parameters of a cycle of oscillatory movements to be performed by the inversion table as the head part of the table is lowered or raised, i.e. variable angles of rotation about the longitudinal and transverse axes of the table, the oscillation frequency of the table and the maximum angle of inclination of the head part of the table, are set using an operating console. When in operation, the inversion table performs oscillatory movements changing the direction of rotation of the table about the axis and the angle of inclination of the table, the head part of the table being gradually lowered and returned to its starting position. Use of the claimed invention increases the efficacy of treatment of patient diseases related to circulatory insufficiency while avoiding negative effects on the patient in the form of reflex reactions, raised arterial pressure and the disruption of venous outflow from the vital organs.

Claims

1. A method for treatment and prevention of diseases associated with circulatory insufficiency, comprising: providing a horizontally arranged inversion table, placing a patient on the horizontally arranged inversion table in a starting position, lowering a head part of the inversion table until a specified angle is reached, and returning the head part of the inversion table to the starting position, wherein the patient is placed on the inversion table in a right lateral recumbent position with legs bent at the knees, thighs of the patient are spread at 30-60 degrees corresponding to an angle of bifurcation of the patient's aorta, wherein the gradual lowering of the head part of the inversion table and the returning to the starting position are carried out by performing a first cycle of continuous oscillatory movements with a first variable angle of rotation around a longitudinal axis, where in the first cycle the head part deflects by 3 degrees down followed by a 1.5 degree return upward, and a second cycle of continuous oscillatory movements with a second variable angle of rotation around a transverse axis of the inversion table, wherein said first and second cycles repeat until the specified angle is reached.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the patient on the inversion table by the patient's pelvis with the aid of a soft securing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient's thighs are spread with a wedge shape device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A shows a general view of the inversion table in a starting position.

(2) FIG. 1B shows a device for spreading the patient's thighs.

(3) FIG. 2A shows the inversion table with the patient placed in a right lateral recumbent position on the inversion table.

(4) FIG. 2B shows a device for spreading the patient's thighs.

(5) FIG. 3A-3B show the inversion table with the head part lowered to a specified angle.

(6) FIGS. 4A-4B and FIG. 5A-5B show the inversion table carrying out continuous oscillatory movements with a variable angle of rotation around a longitudinal axis.

(7) FIG. 6 shows the inversion table carrying out continuous oscillatory movements with a variable angle of rotation around a transverse axis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(8) The technical result of the claimed invention is the increase in the efficacy of treatment of patients with deficiency of blood circulation and the elimination of the shortcomings of the existing methods available.

(9) This technical result is achieved by the method of treating the patient with the use of an inversion table. As FIG. 2A shows, the patient is placed in a right lateral recumbent position on an inversion table with their legs bent at the knees and the thighs spread at 30-60 degrees. The patient may be secured by the pelvis with the aid of a soft securing device. During the procedure the head part of the inversion table makes continuous oscillatory movements with a variable angle of rotation around the longitudinal (FIGS. 4A-4B and FIGS. 5A-5B) and transverse (FIG. 6) axes of the table with a frequency equal or close to the patient's vasomotion frequency, for example, deflects by 3 degrees down followed by a return 1.5 degrees upward. Such variations are repeated until the angle of inclination of the inversion table reaches a predetermined value, for example, 45 degrees, after which the unit returns to the horizontal position, while continuing making the same movements in the process of return. The parameters of a cycle of oscillatory movements are set using an operating console. By regularly affecting the patient with the vibration at the frequency close to their vasomotion frequency, the non-functioning or reserve small vessels are being imposed a defined flow rhythm. As a result, the number of functioning capillaries in the organs of the upper body increases and the tissue tropism improves. This prevents the development of undesired reflexes such as vasospasm.

(10) Placing the patient in a right lateral recumbent position with legs bent at the knees and the thighs spread at 30-60 degrees reduces stress on the heart and facilitates the movement of the contents of the stomach contents into the duodenum. Such position of the patient on the table, on one hand, prevents a sharp outflow of blood during reclines, and on the otherimproves blood flow due to the fact that the spreading angle at the hip joints corresponds to the angle of bifurcation of the aorta.

(11) Securing the patient to the table by the pelvis ensures that the traction of the spine when the table is moving downward is soft and proportional to the mass of the patient, the which improves the tropism of the intervertebral discs and reduces the compression of spinal nerve roots. In addition, regular change of the inclination angle of the table promotes abdominal decompression, improving lymphatic drainage, stimulation of the vestibular system, lowering blood pressure, lengthening of the exhalation phase and improving the pulmonary microcirculation.

(12) Soft return to the starting position prevents the formation of undesirable postural reactions.

(13) Gravity treatment procedures may be performed using an inversion table of the following construction (FIG. 1A). The inversion table consists of the support element 1; two engines 2 with drives located, as an option, inside the support element 1; control unit 3; tabletop 4 with side boards fixed to the metal support frame by hinges; hydro-cylinders (pneumatic cylinders or electro-mechanical devices may also be used as a servomechanism) 6 and 7, inclining the tabletop gradually, by steps, in one direction or another to a particular angle. The inversion table also has a mattress 5 with metal buttons for fixing it to the tabletop 4 and fasteners 8 placed on the patient's waist and thighs, and the device 9 for spreading the patient's thighs. The device 9 for spreading the patient's thighs may be of a different shape and configuration, must perform spreading thighs to an angle of 30-60 degrees, and can be made of any material safe for the patient.

(14) Implementation of the method. The patient is placed on the inversion table in a right lateral recumbent position with legs bent at the knees and the thighs spread at 30-60 degrees and is secured by the pelvis with the aid of a soft securing device. The parameters of a cycle of oscillatory movements to be performed by the inversion table as the head part of the table is lowered or raised, i.e. variable angles of rotation about the longitudinal and transverse axes of the table, the oscillation frequency of the table and the maximum angle of inclination of the head part of the table, are set using an operating console. When in operation, the inversion table performs oscillatory movements changing the direction of rotation of the table about the axis and the angle of inclination of the table, the head part of the table being gradually lowered and returned to its starting position.

(15) Using the remote control, the operator may set, for example, the following movement cycles of the inversion table:

(16) the longitudinal axis X down by 3 degrees, the longitudinal axis X up by 1.5 degrees, the lateral axis Y down to the right by 3 degrees, the lateral axis Y up by 3 degrees, tabletop 4 returns to the neutral position relative to the longitudinal axis, the lateral axis Y down and to the left by 3 degrees, the lateral axis Y up and to the right by 3 degrees.

(17) As a result of one movement cycle the tabletop takes the position with the head end inclined 1.5 degrees downward. As shown in FIG. 3A-3B, the device continuously performs the above movements until the head part of the table reaches the inclination angle of 45 degrees, after which it performs the same sequence of movements upward and the tabletop returns to its starting position.

(18) The maximum inclination angle of the upper half of the body may be reduced depending on the initial condition of the patient, followed by its increase to 45 degrees in the process of the treatment cycle.

(19) The therapeutic effect of this method in patients with diseases of the blood circulation system is achieved due to the following factors.

(20) Varying the orientation of the human body in the gravitational field of the Earth is accompanied by the redistribution of the body fluid in accordance with the direction of hydrostatic forces in the vascular system. An important consequence of such movement of the volumes of blood consists in interdependent functional responses of the various physiological systems of the body, the development of which is essentially caused by the change in the general hemodynamic parameters of the cardiovascular system and blood circulation in the individual organs. Inclusion of the angular gravitational effect in the comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation of patients with vascular insufficiency will speed up the process of recovery and adaptation due to the improvement of microcirculation in the upper body organs, enhancement of the lymphatic and venous outflow from the lower body, decompression of the spinal column and the organs of the abdominal cavity. The above described impact will also help avoid excessive blood filling of the vascular bed in the upper half of the body, which is achieved by the features of the claimed invention.

(21) By regularly affecting the patient with the vibration at the frequency close to their vasomotion frequency, the non-functioning or reserve small vessels are being imposed a defined flow rhythm. As a result, the number of functioning capillaries in the organs of the upper body increases and the tissue tropism improves. This prevents the development of undesired reflexes such as vasospasm.

(22) Such effects as the improvement of hemomicrocirculation in the upper body organs of the patient, including the brain, heart and lungs, enhancement of the lymphatic and venous outflow from the lower body, decompression of the spinal column and the organs of the abdominal cavity are achieved in the course of one treatment session, which increases the effectiveness of treatment of patients having neurological, cardiological and therapeutic profiles with circulatory insufficiency.

(23) The claimed method cannot be used in patients with acute or life-threatening conditions, during pregnancy, or bleedings of any cause in the early postoperative period.

(24) Implementation of the claimed method is illustrated by the following examples:

Example 1

(25) A 72-year-old man, suffering from coronary heart disease, effort angina, on permanent pharmacotherapy, complaining of shortness of breath when climbing to the second floor. The ECG revealed changes indicative of ischemia. The patient underwent a 10-day course of gravity inversion table therapy, with 30-minute sessions held daily 1 time a day. After a 2-week interval he underwent another 10-day course. As the result of treatment the patient noted an increase in resistance to physical exertion. An electrocardiogram showed a positive tendency as early as after the first session.

Example 2

(26) A 53-year-old woman complained of swelling of the feet manifesting in the evening and pain in the lumbar region. Diagnosis: chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limb veins, chronic lymphovenous insufficiency 3rd degree, concomitant: cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis, lumbarization. Laser Doppler velocimetry revealed a stagnant type disturbance of microcirculation, high-amplitude harmonics in the respiratory range, symptoms of neurogenic angiopathy when in a standing position. The patient underwent a 10-day course of gravity inversion table therapy, with 30-minute sessions held daily 1 time a day. Then she was re-examined. The patient subjectively reported an improvement in general well-being, absence of pain in the lumbar region, significant reduction in swelling in the feet. The examination showed normal hemodynamic type of microcirculation in the lower limbs.

Example 3

(27) A 62-year-old man with an Acute Cerebrovascular Event (stroke) of 5 years prior in the medical history. Complained of sleep disorder, memory loss, dizziness, loss of strength in the upper left limb. Sessions were held daily 1 time a day, 30 minutes per session. A course lasted 10 days, in total, the patient underwent 3 gravity therapy courses with an interval of 1 month. The patient noted a significant improvement in general condition, normalization of sleep, improved memory. Neurological examination revealed an increase in strength in the area of the upper and lower left limbs and an improvement of the overall neurological status.

Example 4

(28) A 47-year-old man, diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. Complained of cough with phlegm worsening in the mornings and during exercise. X-ray radiography showed increased pulmonary vascularity. Sessions were held daily 1 time a day, 30 minutes per session. A course lasted 10 days. In total, the patient underwent 2 gravity therapy courses of 10 sessions each with an interval of 2 weeks. After the fifth session the patient noted an increase in phlegm production and cough. At the end of the second course the cough stopped, and the patient reported an improvement in general condition. An X-ray image showed an increase in the transparency of the lung tissue.

(29) The description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

(30) Moreover, the words example or exemplary are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as exemplary is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the words example or exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term or is intended to mean an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. That is unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, X employs A or B is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then X employs A or B is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances, in addition, the articles a and an as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.