Therapeutic board for treatment of the spine

A therapeutic device is provided. The therapeutic device includes a substantially flat board and a pair of risers. The board includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a perimeter comprising a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. A first riser and a second riser protrude from the top surface of the board. Each of the first riser and the second riser include a taper from a first end to a second end. The first end of the first riser and the first end of the second riser are disposed near the top edge. The first and second risers are disposed at an acute angle relative to one another.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a therapeutic device and, more particularly, to a therapeutic board for treatment of the spine.

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spinal has a three-dimensional deviation. Although it is a complex three-dimensional condition, on an X-ray the spine of an individual with scoliosis can resemble an “S” or a “?”, rather than a straight line. There is no therapeutic treatment/correction of scoliosis other than exercises, braces and surgery. Further, the current methods for correcting poor posture are ineffective and cumbersome, with poor compliance.

As can be seen, there is a need for a therapeutic device to treat scoliosis and bad posture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a therapeutic device comprises: a board having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a perimeter comprising a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge; and a first riser and a second riser protruding from the top surface of the board, each comprising a first end and a second end, wherein a taper is formed from the first end to the second end, wherein the first riser and the second riser are disposed at an acute angle relative to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes an apparatus which treats and corrects scoliosis and poor posture. The therapeutic board of the present invention aligns, de-rotates and straightens the spine for people with scoliosis and corrects poor posture allowing natural extension. For the correction of scoliosis, by offsetting the risers and using one's own body weight, the present invention is used to de-rotate (untwist) the spine and thus straightening the spine. Each individual thoracic vertebral segment is stretched into extension, elongating the ventral aspects of the thoracic spine thus affecting long term straightening and flexibility of the thoracic spine. For people with poor posture, the spine is pushed into extension thus allowing more flexibility and stretches the ventral aspects of the thoracic spine by allowing movement of the facet joints and stretching the ligaments at each thoracic vertebral segment.

The present invention includes a board including two matching sloping risers with pegs on the bottom that insert into holes in the board. The risers may be disposed on the board equidistant and at an acute angle to one another to form a “V” shape. A spacer may be added under the riser to increase the height of the risers. The present invention can be made of wood or molded resin.

With scoliosis, rotation is accompanied with lateral bending. When one riser if offset to the other (one closer to the top edge than the other) laying on the board causes the spine to de-rotate, which allows for straightening the curve caused by scoliosis. This de-rotation is performed at each individual vertebral level by sliding down the board. For example, in people with a “rib-hump” on the right, the right riser is closer to the top edge causing de-rotation of the spine to the left. The biomechanical coupling inherent in the spine in people with scoliosis is directly addressed. While the board is important to align the patient over the risers, the board holds the risers securely in place to carefully and accurately insure the risers are at the desired vertebral level. The risers push into the thoracic spine at the desired vertebral levels bilaterally thus allowing the spine to extend. The risers affect movement of the facet joints, ligaments, discs and muscles of the thoracic spine. The spacers can be used to further increase the vertical dimension of the risers.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 10, the present invention includes a therapeutic device including a substantially flat board10. The board10includes an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a perimeter including a top edge and a bottom edge opposite the top edge. A first riser12and a second riser14protrude from the top surface of the board10and are side by side. Each of the first riser12and the second riser14include a taper from a first end to a second end. The first end of the first riser12and the first end of the second riser14are disposed near the top edge. The first end of the first riser12and the first end of the second riser14are closer together than the second end of the first riser12and the second end of the second riser14. Therefore, the first and second risers12,14are disposed at an acute angle relative to one another.

The risers12,14of the present invention may be releasably attachable to the upper surface of the board via a plurality of mating connectors. In such embodiments, the first riser12may include pegs20and the second riser14may include pegs22. The pegs22,20may fit and secure within peg holes28,30. The first riser peg holes28may form an angle relative to the second riser peg holes30. In certain embodiments, each the first and second riser peg holes28,30may include a row of four peg holes28,30. Each of the first and second risers12,14may include two pegs20,22. Therefore, the pegs20,22of the first and second risers12,14may be placed in different peg holes28,30to adjust the distance between the first ends of the first and second risers12,14and the top edge.

As illustrated inFIGS. 8 through 10, the above configuration allows the first and second risers12,14to be adjustable between a first position and a second position. The first position includes the first ends of the risers12,14being equidistant from the top edge of the board10, forming a V-shape. The second position includes the first end of the first riser12disposed closer to the top edge of the board than the first end of the second riser14and vice versa forming an offset V-shape. The offset second position may be used for the treatment of scoliosis and is operable to straighten the thoracic curve section44of the spine. The aligned V-shape first position may be used for the treatment of poor posture.

The present invention may further include spacers16,18. The spacers16,18may adjust the height of the risers12,14. For example, the present invention may include a first spacer16and a second spacer18with a top and a bottom. The top of the first spacer16may include peg holes32to receive pegs20formed at the bottom of the first riser12. The bottom of the first spacer16may include pegs24that are formed to fit within the peg holes28formed on the board10. The top of the second spacer18may include peg holes34to receive pegs22formed at the bottom of the second riser12. The bottom of the second spacer18may include pegs26that are formed to fit within the peg holes30formed on the board10.

In certain embodiments, the board10may include a beveled portion36that tapers towards the bottom edge. The beveled portion36allows the user42to slide easily along the board10during use. The present invention may also include a first handle aperture38and a second handle apertures40. The handle apertures38,40may be formed through the board near the bottom edge. The handle apertures38,40allow users42to easily grasp and transport the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11, a method of the present invention may include the following. The appropriate riser height may be determined based on the patient's condition to be corrected. The spacers may be used to increase the height. The appropriate riser placement may be determined based on the patient's condition to be corrected. The patient lies on the board with T10/T11 vertebrae aligned with the high end of the riser. After one to two minutes, the patient moves down the board approximately two inches, aligning the T8/T9 vertebrae region with the high end of the risers. After one to two minutes, the patient moves down the board approximately two inches, aligning the T6/T7 vertebrae region with the high end of the risers. After one to two minutes, the patient moves down the board approximately two inches, aligning the T4/T5 vertebrae region with the high end of the risers. After one to two minutes, the patient moves down the board approximately two inches, aligning the T2/T3 vertebrae region with the high end of the risers. The treatment may then be complete. The treatment may be repeated and adjusted based on the patient's condition to be corrected.

The present invention re-aligns the spine from lateral flexion and rotation, to straight and elongated. Also inherent in the invention is increasing spinal flexibility and improved muscle tone due to a more balanced spine, front to back, side to side, top to bottom. The procedure may be performed around three times per week and may make permanent and positive changes to the thoracic spine. If both risers are equidistant from the end of the board, it is used to correct posture, specifically hyperkyphosis and forward head carriage. This is extremely helpful in those whose job is to sit most days at a computer screen. The present invention can be used in the geriatric population to help maintain an erect stature. In this manner, the present invention can aid in an increased lung capacity and other organs in the chest encased by ribs in the front and back and the spine. The present invention is portable, easy to use and is may be used at home, thus decreasing the need for visits to chiropractic or physical therapy sessions for the specific conditions mentioned above.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. Patterns of both the board and risers may first be produced. The board is a standard size, although a pediatric version may be also available. The risers may be in different sizes, such as from about 4″ to about 9″ long, and from about 2″ to about 5″ high. The slopes may vary depending of the length of the risers. The shorter and higher the riser is, the greater the affect it has on the spine and the lower and longer the riser is, the lesser the effect it has on the spine. The longer and lower risers can be used in the geriatric population. The board pattern may be suited to accommodate varying body sizes and shapes. Also, the board accommodates for the anatomy, i.e. the sacrum. The board has two rows of four holes each, equidistant and at acute angles to each other. The holes in the board are to accommodate the risers and the risers directly affect the spine. When the patterns are made, the product can be cut out of wood or from molded resin. Holes are to be drilled into the board and routed. The risers are drilled to accommodate the dowels that protrude from the bottom.