# US 7,410,493 B1 · Method and device for the treatment of anxiety disorders > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,410,493 B1 - Document ID: US7410493B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/570,909 - Filed: 2000-05-15 - Granted: 2008-08-12 - Earliest claimed: 2000-05-15 - Inventors: Yu Chen; Ming An Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410493B1 ## CPC - A61N 2/06: using magnetic fields produced by permanent magnets (A61N2/12 takes precedence) - A61H 39/00: Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture (chiropodists' instruments A61B17/54; {for radiation therapy A61N5/0619}) - A61H 2201/10: with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61H: PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, radiation therapy or ultrasound therapy A61N) ## Abstract A method and device for the treatment of anxiety disorder, including panic attacks. A hammer is used to tap the cutaneous region of the bladder channel on the back until the skin turns pink. The skin on the abdomen, arms, legs, and buttocks can also be used for treatment. The hammer preferably has a magnetic piece in one end of the hammer head. The method can treat anxiety disorder including panic attack, general anxiety, phobia, posttraumatic stress disorder, stress related tension headache, insomnia, and any stress. Patients can use the hammer to treat themselves at home, office, and during traveling. The method and device are simple, effective, nontoxic, safe, have no side effects, inexpensive, and convenient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of treating anxiety disorders, diagnosable as a psychiatric illness, comprising tapping areas of the skin on the body with a hammer until the skin becomes pink, and wherein the head of the hammer that contacts the skin does not have a sharp protrusion that can penetrate the skin, and wherein the tapping area is in the back on both sides of the spine, about 1 to about 2 inches away from the spine between the thoracic vertebral 3 and the sacroiliac vertebral 4 level wherein the width of the tapping area is about 1 to about 1.5 inches on both sides of the spine and wherein tapping area is at about lumbar 2 vertebral level, the width of the tapping is about 3 to about 4 inches on both sides of the spine. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the hammer has a magnetic head. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein the magnetic head has a magnetic strength of 100-14000 gauss. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3 wherein the magnetic head has a magnetic strength of 800-2000 gauss. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the hammer is a rubber head hammer, a wooden head hammer, or a plastic head hammer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the tapping area is about 1.5 inches away from the spine. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the step of tapping consists essentially of the area set forth in claim 1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the tapping is performed for about 5 to about 10 minutes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the tapping frequency is at least once a week. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the anxiety disorder being treated is selected from the group consisting of panic attacks, or posttraumatic stress disorder. ### Claim 11 A method of treating anxiety disorders, diagnosable as a psychiatric illness, comprising tapping areas of the skin on the body with a hammer until the skin becomes pink, wherein the head of the hammer that contacts the skin does not have a sharp protrusion that can penetrate the skin, and wherein the tapping area is on the outer side of the upper arm or the outer side of the forearms; on the front, side, or back or the side of the lower legs; on the abdomen, about 0.5 inch to about 1 inch away from the navel, about 2 to about 3 inches in all directions from the navel; or on the buttocks. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the tapping area is on the outer side of the upper arms or the outer side of the forearms. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the tapping area is on the front, side, or back of the upper legs, or the back or side of the lower legs. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the tapping area is on the abdomen, about 0.5 inch to about 1 inch away from the navel, about 2 to about 3 inches in all directions from the navel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the tapping area is on the buttocks. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the step of tapping consists essentially of the area set forth in claim 11. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the hammer has a magnetic head. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 wherein the anxiety disorder being treated is selected from the group consisting of panic attacks, or posttraumatic stress disorder.