Methods and equipment for treating or preventing muscle pain or injury
AssigneeMyopoint, Inc.
InventorsDavid R. Hubbard, Paul Johnson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Machines for treating neuromuscular pain conditions and injuries by slow patient-controlled stretching of a muscle or group of muscles when they and surrounding muscles are in a relaxed state (i.e., with little or no extrafusal muscle fiber contractions). The machines include a fixed support such as seat. An adjustable support, such as a back or side rest is adjusted for the particular patient. A controllable support moved in an alternating motion, under the patient's control, allows the injured or painful muscle to be slowly stretched by gravity, while the muscles are relaxed. The controllable support is preferably moved by a hydraulic cylinder.
Claims13
A method of performing muscle therapy comprising the steps of:
- seating a patient on a seat on a pivoting frame;
- vertically supporting the patient's forearm on a pad;
- restraining the patient's upper arm against movement;
- and
- tilting the patient and the seat.
A muscle therapy machine comprising:
- a fixed frame supported at least indirectly on a floor surface;
- a pivoting frame pivotally attached to the fixed frame;
- a first seat attached to the pivoting frame;
- a first arm pad attached at least indirectly to the fixed frame for supporting the patient's forearm;
- a first fixed pad attached at least indirectly to the fixed frame and positioned alongside the arm pad for restraining the patient's upper arm against movement;
- and
- an actuator attached to the pivoting frame for tilting the patient and the seat.
A muscle therapy machine comprising:
- a fixed frame;
- a pivoting frame attached to the fixed frame at pivot joints;
- a pair of back to back seats, with each seat having a seat bottom and a head support attached to the pivoting frame, and a forearm support, and an upper arm support attached to the fixed frame;
- and
- an actuator attached to the fixed frame and to the pivoting frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.