Method and pedal apparatus for spinal disorders

Method and apparatus for treating reflex zones of feet, by applying polarized undulatory energy flux generated by terrestrial fields or radiations to the reflex zones of feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a therapeutic method and a pedal apparatus 
for treating the reflex zones of the feet, and, particularly for the 
treatment of troubles and ailments due to rachidian disturbance of 
equilibrium or misalignment of the spine. 
2. Material Information Disclosure 
Recent experiments have proven that the statural or skeletal muscular 
system, of which the rachidian muscles are a part, are under the influence 
of ascending proprioceptive chains whose point of departure is the foot or 
pedal. Since it is the point of normal support during erect standing: 
vertebral alignment or equilibrium and statural or skeletal normality 
depend on the harmony of these different ascending proprioceptive chains 
statural normality; 
all disturbance of the support on the ground has repercussions higher up by 
disharmony of stimulation of these chains. It is, therefore, apparent that 
one could remedy numerous troubles and ailments due to rachidian 
disequilibrium, by an action of re-equilibration or realignment of the 
ascending proprioceptive chains obtained by means of stimulation of the 
soles of the feet where the pedal points of departure of the chains are 
located. To that end, it has been proposed to correct the activation of 
the said chains with the help of therapeutic soles of particular form, but 
if these soles gave encouraging results in the treatment of certain 
ailments, they were affected by a number of inconveniences or 
insufficiencies. In effect: 
they demand a very meticulous adjustment since the thickness of the wedges 
must be determined to one tenth of a millimeter; 
their surveillance must be frequent, because in the course of the statural 
correction, thickness of the wedges must be modified; 
they only act in strict bi-pedal support, that they only have a minimal 
effect in the treatment of individuals who practice a profession demanding 
the seated position; 
also, the zones of stimulation are simple or double and only concern, 
therefore, one or two proprioceptive chains, and, therefore, other zones 
of stimulation would "modulate" the activation of the principal chains. 
An aim of the present invention therefore is to remedy these 
insufficiencies by allowing for a recovery of equilibrium of the statural 
or skeletal muscular groups by reequilibration or realignment of the 
ascending proprioceptive chains, obtained by stimulation of the reflex 
zones of the foot and, more specifically, the reflex zones of the soles of 
the feet where the points of pedal departure of said chains are located, 
by means of a polarized undulatory flux of energy. 
It has already been proposed (FR-A-2 453 654) to treat the human body by 
means of a continuous magnetic flux, pulsed or alternating produced by an 
electromagnet or by a permanent magnet and polarized by means of an 
apparatus for polarization of lights constituted, for example, by a 
polarized lens. Besides the fact that this therapeutic method, and the 
apparatus conceived for its use were not adapted for the stimulation of 
the reflex zones of the foot, they are not appropriate for such a 
treatment. In effect, experiments have proven that the application of a 
polarized magnetic flux produced by an electromagnet or by an ordinary 
unipolar permanent magnet on the reflex zones of the soles of the feet, 
very quickly caused the appearance of signs of magnetic intoxication with 
an aggravation of certain pains and the appearance of different pains. It 
has moreover been established that certain magnetic fields could be toxic 
for living organisms. One cannot therefore consider a permanent 
stimulation of the reflex zones, with the aid of the method and the 
above-mentioned apparatus, for the treatment of troubles of posture 
necessitating a permanent correction scoliosis, syphosis, etc.). Finally, 
far from favoring the re-equilibration of the ascending proprioceptive 
chains, one can conclude that the application of a polarized magnetic flux 
generated by an electromagnet or by an ordinary permanent magnet on the 
reflex zones of the foot, can aggravate the disequilibrium of the said 
chains, notably due to an intensity that is too strong. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention has for its object a therapeutic method and a pedal apparatus 
allowing for the application of a flux of polarized energy, such as a 
polarized magnetic flux of non-toxic intensity, on the reflex zones of the 
feet which leads to a reequilibration of the ascending proprioceptive 
chains, assuring a restoration of equilibrium of the statural or skeletal 
muscular groups, without the appearance of signs of magnetic intoxication 
during the process and at the end of treatment. 
According to the therapeutic method of the invention, this result is 
obtained by inserting a polarizer between the reflex zones of the soles of 
the feet, and terrestrial fields or radiations, such as terrestrial 
magnetic field, making it possible to apply a polarized undulatory flux of 
energy, such as a polarized magnetic flux, generated by terrestrial fields 
of radiations on the said reflex zones. 
The apparatus according to the invention is notable in the fact that it is 
constituted by a polarizer arranged in such a way as to constitute a pedal 
support apparatus, or incorporated with a pedal support apparatus, so as 
to make it possible to apply a polarized undulatory flux of energy 
generated by terrestrial fields or radiations, such as a polarized 
magnetic flux generated by the terrestrial magnetic field on the reflex 
zones of the soles of the feet. Besides the abovementioned advantages, the 
method and the apparatus for pedal application according to the invention 
have made it possible to provide, after several months of experimentation 
in the case of non-fixed lesions, the following effects (as described in 
terms recognized in the field of chiropractic medicine): 
an instantaneous re-equilibration of the rachis, or realignment of the 
spine with disappearance of rachidian or spinal disorders; 
a re-harmonization of the scapulary and lombar belts which equilibrate 
themselves in all planes; 
a re-harmonization of rachidian curvatures; 
a disappearance of all vertebral blockages; 
a disappearance of minor intervertebral disturbances; 
an opening of the holes of conjugation or alignment of vertebral foramen; 
a disappearance of pains that may be caused by such disorders as referred 
to herein; 
an increase in the vascularization in different areas, by liberation of 
nerve roots; 
a disappearance of provoked pains and projected pains; and 
an improvement of the functional disturbances with respect to posture. 
Moreover, since the terrestrial fields or radiations such as the 
terrestrial magnetic fields are natural fields or radiations, their 
application to living organisms does not lead to the appearance of any 
sign of magnetic or any other intoxication.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
The therapeutic method according to the invention is notable by the fact 
that one inserts a polarizer which provides for the application of a 
polarized undulatory flux of energy, such as a polarized magnetic flux, 
generated by terrestrial fields or radiations on the reflex zones, between 
the reflex zones of the sole of the foot or zones of stimulation of the 
points of pedal departure of the ascending proprioceptive chains, and the 
terrestrial fields or radiations such as the terrestrial magnetic field. 
In so doing it is possible to obtain a reequilibration of the said chains 
and, consequently, a re-equilibration of the statural or realignment of 
skeletal muscular groups influenced by said chains. 
In a preferred manner, the polarized undulatory energy generated by the 
fields or terrestrial radiations, is applied on the underside of the feet 
by means of a pedal support apparatus such as soles, pattens, pedestal, 
etc. 
The polarizer can be constituted by all anisotropic or polarizing 
substances known, such as polarizing or polaroid plates. In this case, the 
polarizer is, in a very desirable manner, constituted by two linear 
superimposed polarizing filters, whose axes of polarization are, in an 
advantageous fashion, intersecting at 90.degree.. Such linear polarizing 
or polaroid filters are equally well known and frequently used in optics. 
They are easily constituted by flexible sheets of plastic materials 
containing microscopic crystals oriented when hot under electric fields, 
at the time of their manufacture, and act by dichroism. It is also 
possible to superimpose more than two polarizing or polaroid plates whose 
axes of polarization are, for example, intersected at 15.degree., 
30.degree., 45.degree., 60.degree., 75.degree., etc., in such a way as to 
constitute polarizing filters of variable thickness allowing for one to 
obtain different characteristics of polarization. On the other hand, one 
can employ linear polarizing filters or circular polarizing filters. When 
the polarizer is constituted by two polarizing or polaroid plates whose 
axes intersect at 90.degree., the axes of polarization of the said 
polaroids preferably have an orientation of 45 .degree. with respect to 
the axis of the foot. Also, the axes of polarization of the polaroids may 
be intersected forming, among them different angles (for example, angles 
of 15.degree., 30.degree., 45.degree., 60.degree., 75.degree.) and being 
able to have, with respect to the axis of the foot, an orientation 
differing from 45.degree. (for example, angles of 30.degree.-60.degree., 
or angles of 30.degree.-45.degree.-60.degree., angles of 
15.degree.-30.degree.-45.degree.-60.degree.-75.degree.). The polarizer can 
also be constituted by thickly laminated non-magnetic metal sheets or 
other thickly laminated substances having the same magnetic fluxes as the 
polaroid filters, by reason of their molecular or crystalline orientation. 
In case of the use of two, or more than two, superimposed sheets of metal 
or other thickly laminated material, the axes of orientation of these 
sheets, (direction of lamination) can be crossed in the manner indicated 
above for the polaroid filters. 
The polarizers constituted by flexible polarizing plates or polaroids, can 
be cut out in the form of the underside of the feet, to constitute a 
flexible patten or sole adapted to be lodged in a shoe, for example in 
case of treatment necessitating a long application of a polarized 
undulatory energy flux. Thus, as FIGS. 1-3 show, the polarizer is 
constituted by a patten or sole composed of two linear superimposed 
polarizing filters 1 and 2 whose axes of polarization, are schematized 
respectively, by the parallel lines 1a and by the parallel lines 2a which 
cross at 90.degree.. On the other hand, according to this example, the 
axes of polarization 1a, 2a of the polaroids crossed at 90.degree. have an 
orientation of 45.degree. with respect to the longitudinal axis a-a of the 
sole (FIG. 2), that is to say with respect to the axis of the foot when 
the sole is placed under this latter. 
It can be desirable to stimulate certain reflex zones only, of the sole of 
the foot. In this case, the polarizer apparatus has a reduced surface than 
that of the underside of the foot, and it is incorporated with a sole 
formed by means of traditional materials, at a location corresponding to 
the region where the reflex zone or zones to be treated are found. For 
example, taking into account the fact that the points of pedal departure 
of the principal ascending proprioceptive chains acting on the statural or 
skeletal muscular groups are found in the region of the arch, the 
polarizer apparatus can have a reduced dimension and be incorporated, 
according to any appropriate process, in the median zone of the patten or 
a sole, fabricated or executed in the known fashion of leather, skin, 
fabrics, felt, cork, or other materials, capable of being positioned in a 
shoe. FIGS. 4 and 5 show an embodiment of this type according to which the 
polarizer constituted by two superimposed polaroids 1, 2 is incorporated 
in the median portion of a patten or sole 3. Of course, it can also be 
placed at any other appropriate place in the sole or patten, according to 
the position of the reflex zone which it is necessary to stimulate. 
According to another embodiment, one arranges two polarizers, having 
substantially the shape of the underside of the feet, or more reduced 
dimensions, on the upper plate or, preferably, on the base of a pedestal 
which can be arranged in front of the sink of a bathroom, in such a way 
that the user can stand there conveniently and regularly each time that he 
washes and dresses, that is to say without constraint and without loss of 
time, in the case where the treatment requires applications of polarized 
magnetic flux, or other polarized undulatory energy flux, of reduced 
duration. An embodiment of this type is shown in FIGS. 6-8. According to 
this embodiment, each of the two polarizers are constituted to have two 
superimposed polaroids 1, 2 which are installed on the base 4a of a 
pedestal 4, formed by a hollow casing whose base or upper plate 4b can be 
removable or journaled. On the upper side of the upper plate 4b, are 
positioned the imprints 4c or drawings of two feet, which are located 
above the polarizers supported by the base 4a . Therefore, when an 
individual is supported on pedestal 4 and positions his feet on the 
imprints or drawings 4c, the polarized undulatory energy flux generated by 
the terrestrial fields or radiations will be applied on the reflex zones 
of the foot to be treated. 
In the case of minimal functional pains, without substantial troubles of 
posture (minimal dorsalgia, lumbalgia, small muscular spasms, etc.) 
necessitating the application of a reinforced polarized magnetic flux 
during relatively short daily periods, an anisotropic and multipolar 
magnetic plate below the polarizer can be provided, this magnetic plate 
having the shapes and dimensions corresponding to that of said 
superimposed polarizer. The anisotropic magnetic plate is preferably 
constituted by a sheet of magnetized rubber of small thickness. Such 
flexible and anisotropic permanent magnets are well known. They are, for 
example, composed of magnetic ferrite powder and of a pliant elastomer, 
and they have a multipolar magnetization on one of their surfaces. One 
embodiment of this type is represented in FIGS. 9-11. According to this 
embodiment, the apparatus is constituted by a medical sole intended to 
cover the entire underside of the foot. This apparatus includes a 
multipolar and anisotropic magnetic sheet 5 having the shape of a sole and 
a polarizer a composed of two linear polarizing filters or polaroids 1, 2 
of identical shape as that of said sheet positioned above the magnetized 
surface. The axes of polarization, respectively of 1a, and 2a, are 
intersected at 90.degree. and have an orientation of 45.degree. with 
respect to the longitudinal axis a-a of the said sole, and, consequently, 
with respect to the axis of the foot. In this case, the superimposed 
flexible sheets or plates 5, 1, 2, constituting the medical sole are 
assembled in any known manner. They can, for example, be housed in a 
neutral and flexible protecting envelope, or be united at their edge by 
means of any appropriate glue or peripheral coating. Of course, this 
apparatus of polarized magnetic flux can have reduced dimensions in such a 
way as to be able to be incorporated at any appropriate position of a 
patten or a sole executed in a classic fashion. It can also be installed 
on the upper plate or on the interior of the pedestal, as previously 
indicated.