Abstract:
A device and method for stretching, toning and strengthening the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture. Typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems. The device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic treatment of the muscle problems by progressively stretching the muscles and thereby relieving the muscle problems.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/730,313, filed on Dec. 4, 2003. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment and methods, and more particularly, to equipment and methods for stretching muscles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is directed to the field of therapeutic equipment used to stretch and exercise certain muscle groups. In particular the device and method of the present invention is directed to treatment of persons who are suffering from stress related muscle problems in the neck, shoulders and upper back.  
         [0004]     Persons who suffer from these stress related problems typically appear to walk or stand in a slumped forward position which results in short and tight chest muscles. Further, their shoulder muscles are sagging and the upper back muscles between the shoulder blades are long, atrophied and very sore. When the head is carried forward, the muscles in the upper back and lower neck are significantly strained just keeping the head erect. This medical condition is known as “anterior translation” and is the single largest cause of upper back and neck pain as well as tension headaches in the skull. Typically, these conditions result in spinal misalignment of the neck and upper back. The spinal misalignment problems usually start early in life and progress to more serious conditions such as disc problems and hump back.  
         [0005]     In the past, one of the therapies for the aforementioned problems has been various exercises intended to stretch the muscles without the use of any device to facilitate the exercise. However, patients performing such exercises have generally been unable to precisely and consistently repeat the particular motions associated with the exercises, resulting in a diminished therapeutic effect. The device and method of the present invention is adapted to facilitate and improve upon the muscle stretching exercises which relieves the problems mentioned above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0006]     The present invention is directed to a platform comprising a device for stretching the muscles in the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back to relieve tension related muscles problems. The device comprises a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein preferably the top surface is padded for a user&#39;s comfort, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface and a rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the user to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally parallel to the top of the platform.  
         [0007]     The present invention is also directed to providing a method for stretching chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient to relieve tension related muscle problems. The method comprises providing a device comprising a platform comprising a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the top surface is padded for the patient&#39;s comfort, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface and a rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the patient to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally parallel to the top of the platform, positioning the patient on the platform of the device, engaging the patient in stretching exercises by setting the rotating handle bar to a position relative to the top of the platform and directing the patient to slidingly move the rotating handle bar a plurality of times to stretch out muscles.  
         [0008]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device comprising a platform assembly, a base assembly and a handlebar assembly connected to the platform assembly is provided. The platform assembly preferably comprises a first section, a second section and a concave transition between the first and second sections. In preferred embodiments, the platform assembly has a compact position and an expanded position.  
         [0009]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device is provided which comprises a base assembly mounted to a platform and a handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly is preferably adapted for sliding movement with respect to the platform in a direction parallel to a plane defined by a surface of the platform. In preferred embodiments, the handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar that is adapted to rotate with respect to the plane. In additional preferred embodiments, the handlebar is adapted to rotate to a plurality of pre-selected positions with respect to the plane, more preferably, three preselected positions. In other preferred embodiments, the handlebar is adapted to rotate above and below the platform plane.  
         [0010]     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a muscle stretching device comprising a platform assembly, a handlebar assembly, and a guide assembly is provided. The platform assembly comprises a platform mounted to a base assembly. The guide assembly is attached to the platform and includes a frame having a pair of sidewalls. At least one roller assembly is attached to each sidewall. The handlebar assembly comprises a sliding engagement member connected to a handlebar, and the sliding engagement member slidingly engages the guide assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the guide assembly is attached to the lower surface of the platform. In other preferred embodiments, the sliding engagement member slidingly engages the guide assembly between the roller assembly and the lower surface of the platform. In still other preferred embodiments, three roller assemblies are provided.  
         [0011]     In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, a method of stretching the muscles for use by a person is provided. According to the method, a platform assembly comprising a platform mounted to a base assembly is provided. The platform has surface that defines a plane. A handlebar assembly is provided which comprises a handlebar adapted for sliding movement with respect to the platform in a direction parallel to the platform plane. To perform the method, the person lies on the platform, grips the handlebar, and extends the handlebar away from the platform in a direction parallel to the plane.  
         [0012]     In a preferred embodiment, the person rotates the handlebar to a pre-selected position with respect to the plane before extending it. In accordance with other preferred embodiments, the position is about  10  degrees below the plane. In further preferred embodiments, the position is about  40  degrees above the plane, in still other preferred embodiments, the position is about  90  degrees above the plane. In still other preferred embodiments, the platform comprises a first section, a second section, and a concave transition between the first and second sections and the person extends the handlebar such that her shoulders extend beneath the top surface of the platform. In yet additional preferred embodiments, the handlebar defines a plurality of fixed handlebar locations, and the user grips the handlebar at one of those fixed locations. It is particularly preferred that the person repeat the extension step while gripping three different fixed locations 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view thereof.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a right-side elevational view thereof.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a left-side elevational view thereof.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view thereof.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view thereof.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view thereof.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view thereof.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10a  is a top plan view thereof;  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view thereof.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a portion of a handlebar assembly used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a detail view of the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a view of the second embodiment of the present invention with the handlebar assembly fully extended. 
     
    
       [0029]     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     The present invention will now be described in the context of its presently preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto with departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, exercise device  10  comprises a platform  12  on which a user of the device will lay. The platform  12  is padded and covered with a vinyl material for the comfort of the users. A rotating handle bar  14  is slidingly connected to the bottom of the platform  12  at its top end  13 . The device  10  further comprises a plurality of legs  16 . The legs  16  are fixed to the bottom of platform  12  in a conventional manner near its top end  13 . The legs  16  are sized to provide the proper angle to the horizontal for the stretching exercises described below.  
         [0032]     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the bottom of platform  12  is provided with a first set of elongated tracks  18 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rotating handle bar  14  is connected to a second set of elongated metal tracks  20 . The tracks  20  are adapted to be slidingly received in tracks  18 . As described below, when the user moves the bar  14 , the tracks  20  will be extended in a longitudinal direction into and out of tracks  18 .  
         [0033]     A ring pin  15  on the rotating handle bar  14  allows the user to rotate the handle bar  14  to different positions with respect to the top of the platform  12 . As explained below, changing the angle of the rotating handle bar  14  with respect to the platform  12  allows the user to set the difficulty level for the stretching exercises.  
         [0034]     The method of using the device  10  will now be described. First, the user sets the rotating handle bar  14  to the position with respect to platform  12  that provides the easiest movement. This is accomplished by removing the ring pin  15 , turning the bar  14  to a first mark  17 , and reinserting the ring pin  15 .  
         [0035]     As partially illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the user lies on the platform  12  on her back with her head at the top end  13  of the platform  12 . She flexes her knees to the chest and positions the feet directly under her buttocks. The user then does three stretches each of which is progressively more strenuous. The stretches target the muscle groups from the outer edge of the body to progressively closer to the midline of the spine. For the easiest stretch, the user places her or his hands on outer stripes  19  on rotating handle bar  14 . She extends the arms above the head and then repeats the exercise and thereby extends rotating handle bar  14  by means of the tracks  20  extending out of the tracks  18 . The user then locks the elbows, slowly counts to about  60  or more, and then retracts the bar  14  into the original position.  
         [0036]     This position—with the hands on the outer stripes  19 —stretches and tones the muscles of the chest as well as the muscles along the outer sides of the body which including the chest, trunk and arms. Next, she places her hands on middle stripes  21  and repeats the same exercise. This stretches and tones the muscle groups between the outer edge of the body and midline of the spine including the muscle around the shoulder blades and shoulder joints. Finally, the user places both hands on inner stripe  22 . This stretches the key muscle groups along the spine itself including those in the mid and upper back, the lower neck, and across the traps.  
         [0037]     The user is able to completely stretch and tone all of the joints and muscle groups across the chest, in the shoulders and rotator cuff, the traps and upper shoulders, the lower neck, the upper and mid back, as well as the key groups between the shoulder blades in a relatively short period of time. Thus, the key muscle groups that cause stress, back pain, neck pain, and tension headaches are stretched out. Consequently, the user&#39;s stress related symptoms will be lessened and/or preferably alleviated through repetition of these exercises.  
         [0038]     Once the user is comfortable using the device  10  of the present invention in the easiest setting, she or he can set the handle bar  14  through the adjustment of the ring pin  15  to a setting which causes more stretching by rotating bar  14  further from the top of platform  12 . The increased setting puts more external rotation into the shoulder girdle which dramatically increases the stretch benefit when extending overhead. After the user is comfortable with an increase, she or he can progress to a more advanced setting by rotating the bar  14  further from the top of platform  12 . This is the most challenging and therapeutic of all.  
         [0039]     When the user has reached the point of maximum stretch and flexibility, which will be different for everyone, she or he can gain more benefit by adding resistance to the regimen described above. Resistance adds the benefits of increased muscle tone, stamina, and strength. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , resistance is added by attaching a stretchable band  24  between the rotating bar  14  and the bottom of the platform  12 . After the resistance is added, the same exercises as described above are repeated. More bands or stronger bands may be added to further increase resistance. The resistance bands take the user to a new level by giving strength and endurance, as well as flexibility.  
         [0040]     A muscle stretching device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment is depicted generally in  FIG. 10 . As shown in the Figure, the device of this embodiment comprises a platform assembly  100  comprising a platform  110 , a base assembly  200 , and a handlebar assembly  280 .  
         [0041]     Platform  110  preferably includes a padded material and a vinyl covering for user comfort. Platform  110  includes a first section  112  where the user places his head and a second section  116 , where the user places his torso and legs. Concave transition  114  connects first section  112  and second section  116 . Concave transition  114  is best seen in  FIG. 10A , which is a top plan view of the exercise device of the second embodiment. As  FIG. 10A  indicates, first section  112  comprises straight side portions of platform  110  as does second section  116 . As shown in  FIG. 10A , first section  112  is generally wider than second section  116 . Concave transition  114  comprises two concave side portions of platform  110 , each of which connect the first section  112  and second section  116  on each side of platform  110 . In use, the user places his shoulders at concave transition  114 , such that they roll back and dip below the top surface of platform  110  when extending handlebar  290  away from platform  110 . The ability to roll back and dip the shoulders in this manner provides a more therapeutically effective stretch. However, concave transition  114  can have a number of different specific curvatures that provide this functionality.  
         [0042]     Base assembly  200  is collapsible and comprises two legs  210 , which are attached at an end of platform  110  near second section  116  and away from handlebar assembly  280 . Legs  210  are connected by cross-member  240 . As best seen in  FIG. 11 , legs  210  are pivotally connected to the lower surface of platform  110  by a bracket assembly  220 . The pivotal connection allows legs  210  to open and close, enabling the user to collapse the device for ease of storage.  
         [0043]     Handlebar assembly  280  comprises a handlebar  290  attached to a pair of handle brackets  300 . Handle brackets  300  are connected to a handlebar housing  310  which is adapted to rotate to a plurality of preselected positions, as will be described in greater detail below. Handlebar assembly  280  also includes a sliding engagement member  350 , preferably a rectangular metal glide, which allows the user to slide handlebar  290  away from platform  110  in a direction parallel to the surface of platform  110 . Sliding engagement member  350  has upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface (not shown) is preferably smooth. However, the lower surface can be smooth, as in  FIG. 11 , or corrugated, as in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0044]     As best seen in  FIG. 11 , the device of the second embodiment includes a guide assembly  400  which cooperates with sliding engagement member  350  to enable handlebar  290  to slidably move with respect to platform  110 . Guide assembly  400  comprises a frame  410  having a pair of sidewalls  420 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the sidewalls  420  are connected by an integral flat portion  422  that is secured to the lower surface of platform  110  by suitable fasteners. A plurality of roller assemblies  430  are connected to each side wall. Each roller assembly comprises two rollers  432  connected by a roller shaft  434 . Rollers  432  are spaced apart from integral flat portion  422  and rotate freely within frame  410 .  
         [0045]     Sliding engagement member  350  is disposed within frame  410  such that its lower surface rests on rollers  432  beneath the integral flat portion  422  and the lower surface of platform  110 . The engagement of sliding engagement member  350  with rollers  432  enables the handlebar assembly  280  to slide in and out of frame  410 , and thereby slideably move with respect to platform  110 . Thus, handlebar  290  can be extended from platform  110  in a controlled manner, as it is restrained by the sliding engagement member  350  and roller assemblies  430  such that it can only move in a direction that is parallel to platform  110 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 13  depicts the device of the second embodiment with the handlebar assembly  280  and cross-member  240  removed. As shown in the figure, the device of the second embodiment further comprises a handlebar extension restraint  460  for restraining the movement of handlebar assembly  280  as the user slides it away from platform  110 . Handlebar extension restraint  460  prevents the user from sliding handlebar assembly  280  entirely out of guide assembly  400 . Preferably, handlebar extension restraint  460  comprises two rectangular blocks secured to integral flat portion  422  and the lower surface of platform  110  by suitable fasteners such as t-nuts. Handlebar restraint  460  has two faces  460 a (one of which is shown) which are used to abuttingly restrain the movement of sliding engagement member  350 . A variety of materials can be used for the handlebar restraint, however, an acetyl copolymer such as DELRIN®, a registered trademark of DuPont Corporation, is especially preferred.  
         [0047]     To prevent it from being pulled out of guide assembly  400 , sliding engagement member  350  includes an extension restraining piece  352  on its free end away from handlebar assembly  280 . Preferably, restraining piece  352  is a rectangular block of DELRIN®, secured at the end of sliding engagement member  350  and facing towards the lower surface of platform  110 . Restraining piece  352  and handlebar extension restraint  460  are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user slides handlebar assembly  280  away from platform  110 , restraining piece  352  will eventually abut handlebar restraint  460  at face  460 a, thereby preventing further movement of handlebar assembly  280  away from platform  110 . At this point, handlebar assembly  280  is fully extended from platform  110 , as depicted in  FIG. 14 . In like fashion, handlebar retraction restraint  450  is attached to lower surface of platform  110  away from handlebar assembly  280 . Retraction restraint is preferably a rectangular block of DELRIN®. Restraining piece  352  and retraction restraint  450  are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user retracts handlebar assembly  280 , restraining piece  352  abuts against retraction restraint  450 , thereby preventing further retraction. At this point, handlebar assembly  280  is in its fully retracted position.  
         [0048]     According to the second embodiment, the exercise device is collapsible. To provide collapsibility, base assembly  200  includes a pair of arms  250 , each of which is pivotally connected at one end to frame  410  of guide assembly  400  located on the lower surface of the platform  110 . Any known connector which provides a pivotal connection between arms  250  and frame  410  can be used, such as bolts  245 . Arms  250  are also connected to bearing carrier  260  via nipples  270 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 13 . Arms  250  include an aperture designed to accommodate nipples  270  attached to bearing carriers  260 . Arms  250  are thereby able to rotate about nipples  270 . Each leg  210  of base assembly  200  is inserted through a corresponding bearing carrier  260 , such that each bearing carrier  260  can slide along its corresponding leg  210 . Each nipple  270  is secured within a corresponding end of cross-member  240  by a known connector, such as a nut and bolt or a clevis pin and retainer. The free end of each leg  210  is also provided with a foot  212  which restrains the movement of bearing carrier  260 .  
         [0049]     As a result of the foregoing configuration, when the user pushes cross-member  240  away from handlebar assembly  280 , bearing carriers  260  slide along their respective legs  210  in the same direction. As a result, arms  250  rotate away from handlebar assembly  280  and eventually abut the lower surface of platform. Frame  410  includes notch  412  which is sized to accommodate cross-member  240 . Once arms  250  have fully rotated away from handlebar assembly  280 , cross-member  240  is positioned within notch  412 , at which point the device is in its compact position and ready for storage.  
         [0050]     When in use, platform  110  is preferably angled with respect to the legs  210  and the surface on which the device is placed such that the first section  112  is elevated above second section  116 . A variety of angles (θ) between platform  110  and legs  210  can be used. An angle of 0 to 20 degrees is preferred. An angle of 5 to 15 degrees is especially preferred and an angle of 10 degrees is most preferred. The angle is also preferably adjustable between angles of 0 to 20 degrees, and more preferably between 0 and 15 degrees, with an adjustable angle of 0 to 10 degrees being especially preferred.  
         [0051]     As mentioned previously, the device of the second embodiment is designed to enable the user to rotate handlebar  290  to several pre-selected positions with respect to the plane defined by the lower surface of platform  110 . An exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the handlebar assembly is provided in  FIG. 12 . Handlebar  290  comprises three pieces, a center piece  294   a  and right and left pieces  293   a  and  295   a  (not shown in  FIG. 12 ) which are coupled to center piece  294   a,  preferably by screwing or snapping thereto. Handle brackets  300  are attached at one end to handle bar center piece  294   a  and at an opposite end to an inner tube  330  by fastener  331 .  
         [0052]     It is especially preferred that center piece  294   a  have internally threaded ends which are configured for threaded engagement with complementary external threads on right and left pieces  293   a  and  295   a.  Center piece  294   a  also includes a pair of hubs  298  on each of its ends. Bracket apertures  301  are positioned on hubs  298  such that brackets  300  are fixed between right piece  293   a  and center piece  294   a  and between left piece  295   a  and center piece  294   a  when the right and left pieces are coupled to center piece  294   a.  Center piece  294   a  is inserted into foam grip  294 , and right and left pieces  293   a  and  295   a  are inserted into foam grip pairs  292  and  293  and  295  and  296  and  296 , respectively.  
         [0053]     A hollow outer tube  320  is fixedly attached to an outer tube bracket  284  connected to the bottom surface of sliding engagement member  350 . The outer tube  320  has three aperture pairs  322   a - c  (only one pair of which is shown in  FIG. 12 ). The apertures comprising each pair are axially spaced apart from one another proximate opposite ends of outer tube  320 . Each aperture pair  322   a - c  is spaced apart from the other pairs around the circumference of outer tube  320 . The positions of the three aperture pairs  322   a - c  define the pre-selected rotational positions of the handlebar  290 .  
         [0054]     Again referring to  FIG. 12 , inner tube  320  is disposed in the hollow outer tube  320 . Inner tube  320  contains a single pair of apertures  332  which are alignable with each of the aperture pairs  322   a - c  of outer tube  320 . Inner tube  320  has a longitudinal axis which is the axis of rotation of handlebar  290 .  
         [0055]     Handlebar housing  320  comprises upper half  320   b  and lower half  320   a,  which are secured to one another, preferably by screws, so as to partially contain handle brackets  300 , and the apertured portions of outer tube  320 . A locking member  340 , preferably a spring lock, is provided for releasable insertion through apertures  332  and aperture pairs  322   a - c.  Locking member  340  has a locking position and a release position. In the locking position, locking member  340  is inserted through apertures  332  and one of aperture pairs  322   a - c.  In the release position, it is withdrawn from apertures  332  and aperture pairs  322   a - c.  In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 12 , locking member  340  has a c-shape with a pair of ends  344  connected by a center portion  343 . Springs  342  are provided to bias locking member  340  in a locking position towards outer tube  320 . Upper half  320   b  and lower half  320   a  of handlebar housing  320  each include complementary pairs of molded in spring retainer guides  341  for retaining locking member  340  and springs  340  within housing  320 .  
         [0056]      FIGS. 10, 10   a  and  11  show the handlebar assembly in its assembled state. Aperture pairs  322   a - c  define three rotational positions located at about 10 degrees below, 40 degrees above and 90 degrees above the plane defined by the lower surface of platform  110 . To adjust the position of handlebar  290 , the user grips center portion  343  of locking member  340  thereby pulling ends  344  out of inner tube aperture pair  332  and one of outer tube aperture pairs  322   a - c.  While gripping locking member  340 , the user rotates handlebar  290 , handle brackets  300 , locking member  340 , housing  310  and inner tube  330  about the longitudinal axis of inner tube  330 . Because it is fixedly attached to the bottom of sliding engagement member  350 , outer tube  320  remains stationary during this rotation. Once the user reaches the desired rotation corresponding to one pair of aperture pairs  322   a, b  or  c,  he releases locking member  340 . The biasing action of springs  342  then inserts ends  344  through one of the aperture pairs  322   a, b  or  c  of outer tube  320  and through aperture pair  332  of inner tube  330 , thereby locking the handlebar  290  into place at the desired rotational position.  
         [0057]     The muscle stretching device of this embodiment is preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands positioned at multiple widths from one another on handlebar  290 . Stretching at wider hand spacings focuses on the most lateral muscles, including the triceps, latissimus, and lateral rotator cuff muscles. Stretching at narrower hand spacings focuses on the spinal and para-spinal muscles of the lower cervical spine and the entire thoracic spine. Intermediate spacings focus on muscles lying between the foregoing positions along the posterior of the body, including the trapezius and the scapular muscles, as well as muscles located along the anterior of the body such as the pectoralis and the anterior chest muscles.  
         [0058]     The muscle stretching device of this embodiment is more preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands placed at three widths from one another. Referring again to  FIG. 10 , handlebar  290  is provided with a plurality of foam segments  292 - 296 . The foam segments allow the user to repeatably space his hands at fixed distances from the center of handlebar  290  when using the device, thereby providing for more consistent stretching and enhanced therapeutic effect. For example, the user can use foam segments  292  and  296  to position the hands for a wide stretch, foam segments  293  and  295  for an intermediate stretch, and foam segment  294  for a narrow stretch. The widths and positions of the foam segments  292 - 296  are preferably designed to focus the user&#39;s stretching on the three sets of muscle groups identified above for wider, narrower and intermediate hand spacings.  
         [0059]     A preferred embodiment of a method for stretching muscles using the device of the second embodiment will now be described. According to this embodiment, the user first adjusts handlebar  290  to the desired rotational position as described above. If more strenuous stretching is desired, handlebar  290  is rotated below the plane defined by the lower surface of platform  110 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , this corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of handlebar  290 . If less strenuous exercise is desired, handlebar  290  is rotated above the plane. The user then lies on platform  110  with her head positioned in first section  112  and her feet located at the opposite end in second section  116 . The user&#39;s shoulders should be positioned at concave transition section  114  such that they can roll back and dip below the plane of the top surface of platform  110  when extending handlebar  290 . As with the embodiment of the method described previously, the user flexes her knees to her chest and positions her feet directly below her buttocks to take the forward lumbar curve out of the lower back.  
         [0060]     The user then grips the foam segments  292 - 296  to obtain the desired spacing of the hands with respect to the center of handlebar  290 . For easier stretching, the outermost foam segments  292  and  296  are gripped. For the most difficult stretching, center foam segment  294  is gripped with both hands. It is especially preferred that the user perform three sets of progressively more strenuous stretches, starting from the outside of handlebar  290  and working inward. The particular muscles that are targeted by using the various positions defined by foam segments  292 - 296  on handlebar  290  are described above.  
         [0061]     While gripping handlebar  290 , the user extends her arms away from platform  110  until fully extended and preferably holds them in the fully extended position for at least 60 seconds. She then retracts her arms to the starting position. It is especially preferred to hold the stretch for at least 60 seconds at each of the three hand spacings defined by foam segments  292 - 296 .  
         [0062]     The user can optionally add additional resistance to the stretching device of the second embodiment by attaching a resistance increasing device such as a stretchable band, an elongated spring or a bungee cord to it. As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 13 , two-cross bars  440   a  (not visible in  FIG. 11 ) and  440   b  are preferably provided and attached to sidewalls  420  of frame  410 . The user can attach the ends of such a resistance increasing device to one of the cross-bars  440   a  and  440   b  and to mounting bar  353  which is secured to the bottom of glide  350  proximate handlebar housing  310 . In addition, the user can wrap a resistance increasing device around cross-bar  440   a  or  440   b  and attach both ends of the resistance increasing device to mounting bar  353 . It is especially preferred to connect a linear resistance spring to mounting bar  353  and cross-bar  440   b.  If further increased resistance is desired, it is particularly preferred to wrap a linear resistance spring around cross-bar  440   a  and connect both ends of the spring to mounting bar  353 .  
         [0063]     The device and method described above stretches the chest muscles, tightens the mid back muscles, lifts the chest and pulls the shoulders up and back. The result is preferably improved posture. By straightening the posture, the head is balanced over the shoulders, as it should be and thereby taking all the aggravating stress of the neck and upper back muscles away from the person.  
         [0064]     The embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of, and departures from, the above-described embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the present invention is to be defined solely by the scope of the following claims.