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US 4,732,142 AGranted
Deep friction massage orthosis
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsDavid Hurlburt, Russell Woodman, Barbara M. Steward, R. Kevin Shea
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsDavid Hurlburt, Russell Woodman, Barbara M. Steward, R. Kevin Shea
Estimating the term…
A deep friction orthosis enhancing the effectiveness of the human hand in the application of deep friction massage therapy. The orthosis includes a partial enclosure having a finger support proportioned to rigidly engage the finger(s); and at least a wrist support integral with the finger(s) support, proportioned to rigidly engage support and direct at least one finger of the hand of the user in a direction having utility in the practice of deep friction massage. The finger support means includes sufficient opening for at least the tip of the supported finger to touch the treated patient's skin.
A deep friction orthosis having a means to apply three pressure points to the hand of a user giving deep friction massage therapy, said three pressure points consisting of a first pressure point applied proximal to the joint of the wrist of the user on the posterior aspect thereof, a second pressure point applied distal to the joint on the posterior aspect thereof, and a third pressure point applied such that it counterbalances said first and second pressure points,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Without articulation: for the arms, hands or fingers
Devices for suction-kneading massage; Devices for massaging the skin by rubbing or brushing not otherwise provided for: without substantial…
Protectors for articulations: thumb protectors
Filters implantable into blood vessels
Term ended 3 Nov 2006 (estimated)
USPTO file history isn’t available for this patent, so only indexed dates are shown.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to the area of implements for use in association with the human hand, such implements being particularly adapted for assisting a physical therapist in the performing of deep friction massage therapy.
2. The Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive deep friction orthosis with the hands of a user shown in phantom. (Dorsal Index Finger Splint)
FIG. 2 is an operational view of said first embodiment showing usage of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment. (Radial Index Finger Splint)
A. Deep Friction
The most potent form of massage is deep friction. By this means, massage can reach structures far below the surface of the body. Since the source of pain in patients for whom manual methods are required so often lies in muscle, tendon or ligament, whether as the result of injury or repeated strain, a penetrating technique is clearly essential if such tissues are to be affected. It is thus vital to every physical therapist faced with the treatment of a variety of common disorders that he/she should be fully acquainted with this--the most remedial--type of massage.
When mobility is to be maintained at, or restored to, those moving parts which from their nature or position are apt to develop adhesions or scarring, deep friction is often the method of choice, either alone (as in the case of tendons) or in associa- with passive movements (for some ligamentous lesions) or with active movements without tension on the healing breach (for minor muscular ruptures). An important part of a physical therapist's knowledge consists in choosing and applying whichever type of therapeutic movement is best adapted to the patient's disorder.