Variable compression body anchor

A body anchor for supporting an assistive device, the body anchor comprising:

• a cuff to exert a compression force on a body part of a user;
• and
• one or more tensile elements having first ends and second ends, the first ends of the tensile elements configured to be attached to the assistive device, the second ends of the tensile elements arranged about the cuff to cause the compression force to vary in proportion to a load exerted by the assistive device, wherein the one or more tensile elements comprise a first tensile element encircling the cuff in a first direction and a second tensile element encircling the cuff in a second direction opposite from the first direction, wherein the tensile elements are arranged to cause the compression force to increase at multiple points around a circumference of the cuff as the load increases, including at diametrically opposite points of the circumference;
• and
• a rigid guide structure fixedly attached to the cuff and having a first channel through which the first tensile element passes, a second channel through which the second tensile element passes, a first anchor point to which the second end of the first tensile element is attached, and a second anchor point to which the second end of the second anchor point is attached, the first and second channels being formed within the rigid guide structure, and the first and second anchor points a being formed on outside surfaces of the rigid guide structure.