Abstract:
The invention provides an exercise device ( 10 ) comprising an elongate member ( 20 ) and an engagement member ( 30 ) having an engagement region ( 40 ), the engagement member defining an aperture ( 35 ) therethrough, the elongate member extending through the aperture, such that when the engagement region is under substantially no load, the engagement member is slideable along the elongate member and when the engagement region is placed under load, the engagement member is substantially non-slideable along the elongate member. Also provided is a method of pelvic realignment involving use of said exercise device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an exercise device and exercise therapy using said device. More specifically, this invention relates to an exercise device to relieve or eliminate hip and/or back pain by realignment of the pelvis, and a method of use of said exercise device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Back pain can be a chronic, extremely painful and often debilitating experience for sufferers, resulting in a highly compromised lifestyle and often contributes to long term absences from the workplace. There are many causes of back pain, such as injury, disease, obesity, overuse, aging, childbirth, and the like. 
     In many instances, back and other musculo-skeletal pains are due to pelvic dislocation. Pelvic dislocation is a common occurrence, and is medically identified by observing, amongst other indicators, leg length discrepancy. 
     Pelvic dislocation results in compromised horizontality of the pelvis, and is overcome by realigning the pelvis with the horizontal plane to enable the vertebrae of the spine to sit squarely above the pelvis. In this way, a natural and healthy skeletal physiology is obtained. 
     Amongst other problems encountered by sufferers of a mis-aligned pelvis is a side-to-side tilt of the pelvis, resulting in the segments of the spine sitting on an oblique angled pelvis, rather than a proper horizontal pelvis. This inevitably results in distortion of the spinal system with resultant aches and pains. 
     Without proper realignment of the pelvis to restore pelvic stability and proper angularity, the spinal system distortion and aches and pains resulting from a misaligned pelvis are unlikely to be overcome. 
     Although pelvic instability is often diagnosed, few therapists are able to effectively treat such conditions and make the necessary adjustments to the pelvis in order to return it to its proper alignment. When pelvic misalignment has been diagnosed, a treatment session with a chiropractor or the like may well result in proper realignment of the pelvis. However, more often than not, the pelvic dysfunction will return shortly after the session is over. 
     Prior art devices exist, the use of which is intended to alleviate back pain by means of associated exercises. However, such devices and their associated exercises are often ineffective, or difficult for the patient to carry out in private without the aid of a therapist present to assist, or are so difficult to use or unwieldy that prolonged use of the device is not practical for the patient. 
     Therefore, there exists a need for a device which is simple to use and can be used by a patient, either independently of a therapist, or in combination with existing therapist supervised treatments, to effect pelvic realignment in an effective way, such that repeated performance of the associated exercises results in alleviation of back pain coupled with progressive realignment of the pelvis to restore its natural and proper alignment. 
     The present invention seeks to address the problems of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides an exercise device comprising an elongate member and an engagement member having an engagement region, the engagement member defining an aperture therethrough, the elongate member extending through the aperture, such that when the engagement region is under substantially no load, the engagement member is slid able along the elongate member and when the engagement region is placed under load, the engagement member is substantially non-slideable along the elongate member. 
     The term exercise device is intended to include any device which is used in combination with muscular effort on the part of a user, and is intended to include medical devices which a user operates using muscular effort. 
     In one embodiment, the exercise device comprises a further engagement member, each engagement member having an engagement region, each engagement member defining an aperture therethrough, the elongate member extending through each aperture such that when an engagement region is under substantially no load, the respective engagement member is slideable along the elongate member and when an engagement region is under load, the respective engagement member is substantially non-slideable along the elongate member. 
     The two engagement members may be independently slideable along the elongate member when the engagement regions are under substantially no load. 
     Alternatively, the second engagement member may be fixed relative to the elongate member such that only one engagement member is slideable along the elongate member when the engagement regions are under substantially no load. 
     In the present invention, when the engagement region of the engagement member is placed under load, the engagement member is substantially non-slideable along the elongate member. This is due to frictional forces which come into play between the engagement member and the elongate member when force is exerted on the engagement region. This sliding cantilever locking arrangement allows the engagement member to act as a fixed surface on application of pressure by the knees of a user through the engagement region of the engagement member. 
     In one embodiment, the aperture in the or each engagement member is substantially elliptical in shape. It is preferred that the cross-section of the elongate member is also substantially elliptical in shape, being dimensioned so as to be able to pass through the aperture in the engagement member. 
     However, it will be appreciated that any other suitable cross-sectional shapes which allow the frictional forces between the elongate member and the engagement member to come into play on application of a force to the engagement region of the engagement member could be used. For example, even if the cross-sectional shape of the aperture within the engagement member were to be substantially ovoid in shape, it will be appreciated that an elongate member of cross-sectional shape substantially resembling an ovoid may still allow a fit between the elongate member and the engagement member such that application of a force to the engagement region of the engagement member results in the engagement member becoming fixed in position relative to the elongate member and thus being rendered non-slideable along the elongate member. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the elongate member comprises a first retention means located substantially adjacent a first end thereof. The elongate member may be further provided with a second retention means located distal to the first retention member. 
     Such a retention means may comprise a retention aperture in the elongate member provided substantially adjacent one end of the elongate member, the retention aperture being adapted to receive a retention member, such as a retention pin therethrough so as to retain the or each engagement member in engagement with the elongate member. The provision of such retention means and member would provide an obstruction substantially adjacent each end of the elongate member which would prevent the or each engagement member from being slideable along the elongate member and released from the elongate member. Should the or each engagement member be moved along the elongate member towards the end of the elongate member, the or each engagement member would encounter the retention means and member, which would obstruct the passage of the or each engagement member along the elongate member, thereby retaining the or each engagement member in engagement with the elongate member. 
     In one embodiment, at least a portion of the engagement region comprises a resilient material, such as silicon. Alternative resilient materials include, but are not limited to, rubber, foam, plastic, leather and the like. Alternatively, the engagement region may be provided with an aperture or opposing concave contoured surfaces which, in use, facilitate location of the knees of a user in the correct position relative to the engagement member of the medical device. 
     At least a portion of the elongate member of an exercise device according to the present invention may comprise a wood material. In one embodiment, at least a part of the elongate member comprises wood, such as beechwood, although it will be appreciated that any other suitable wood could be used, in solid form or in plywood form. Alternatively, part or all of the elongate member of the exercise device may comprise materials such as, but not limited to, metal, plastic or toughened glass. It will be appreciated that any other suitable material known to the skilled person could be used as an alternative. 
     Similarly, at least a portion of the engagement member may comprise wood or any other suitable material such as metal, plastic or glass material or any other suitable material known to the skilled person. 
     In one embodiment, the exercise device is used for carrying out pelvic realignment exercises. In such instances, the exercises associated with use of the device for realignment of the pelvis of a user are discussed below. 
     A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of pelvic realignment comprising the steps of placing a device according to a previous aspect adjacent the knees of a user, with the or each engagement region of the device located between the knees of a user such that pressure is exerted on the engagement region by the knees by movement of the knees towards one another. 
     A further aspect of the present invention provides a method of pelvic realignment comprising the steps of placing a device according to any preceding aspect between the knees of a user with the or each engagement region of the device located outside the knees of a user, such that pressure is exerted on the or each engagement region by the knees by movement of the knees away from one another. 
     Use of an exercise device according to the present invention not only facilitates proper alignment of the pelvis of a user, but also allows the user, through repeated use, to quickly, safely and effectively maintain their healthy pelvic alignment. Thus, the device is suitable for use in isolation and is also suitable for use in combination with therapist-administered treatments to help maintain proper pelvic alignment between sessions with a therapist. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a device according to the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are illustrations of a user in position to carry out use of a device according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of a medical device  10  according to the present invention. Medical device  10  comprises an elongate member  20  and engagement members  30 , each engagement member  30  provided with an aperture  35  therethrough, through which, in use, elongate member  20  is received. Each engagement member  30  is further provided with an engagement region  40 . In use, engagement region  40  is contacted by the knees of a user. Engagement region  40  may comprise an aperture, such as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, engagement region  40  may comprise a region with opposing concave surfaces. Alternatively, engagement region may comprise a resilient region, such as a padded region such as shown in  FIG. 2 , thus providing a region on opposing sides of engagement member  30  at which the knees of a user are located in use, which is cushioned for the comfort of a user. 
     It will be appreciated that any other form of engagement region  40  may be provided, as long as the engagement region  40  is capable of facilitating contact with the knees of a user during use of medical device  10 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , elongate member  20  is provided with retention means  50 , which are illustrated as apertures located at distal ends of elongate member  20 , into which a retention pin  60  may be received, thereby preventing removal of engagement member  30  from inter-engagement with elongate member  20 . Retention pins  60  are releasable and may be removed, and the engagement members  30  released from inter-engagement with elongate member  20  for ease of storage and/or transportation. It will be appreciated that use of the medical device  10  can be safely made without the need for retention pins  60  to be inserted through respective retention means  50  in elongate member  20 . However, such a retention arrangement may be helpful in preventing engagement members  30  from sliding out of inter-engagement with elongate member  20  during manipulation of medical device  10  in order to correctly locate the device at the knees of a user, prior to subsequent use. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the position to be assumed by a user prior to use of medical device  10 . However, the medical device  10  may be used by a user in a sitting position, provided the torso of the user is upright. When used in such a way, it is recommended that the user assume a sitting position on a front edge of a seat, with both feet together, the medical device  10  being placed and operated by the user in the same manner described below with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
       FIG. 3A  shows a user in a supine position i.e. lying down and face-up, with both feet together. Medical device  10  is intended to be placed between the knees of the user as indicated by the arrows in figure. It is preferred that the engagement members are position between 9″ and 12″ apart. Once in place, the user pushes their knees together at full strength against the engagement members located to the inside of each knee of the user, whilst holding an inhaled breath for a count of eight seconds. Whilst is not essential for the user to hold their breath during the exercise, holding of the breath assists retention of strength. As the user exerts force on engagement members  30 , they become non-slideable relative to the elongate member and thus fixed in place. The engagement members  30  of medical device  10  counteract the force exerted by the knees of a user, as the user brings their knees together at full strength. After a count of eight seconds, the user should release the pressure being exerted on the engagement region  40  of device  10  through their knees and resume normal breathing. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates a second exercise to be carried out using medical device  10 , involving the user assuming a supine position, i.e. lying down and face-up, with the legs of the user bent and the feet placed towards the upper legs. The knees of the user must be kept together and the medical device  10  placed such that each engagement member  30  is located on the outside of a knee of the user. The user then applies force through their knees to put the knees apart at strength (but not full strength as used in the exercise discussed in relation to  FIG. 3A ), the user holding an inhaled breath as they do so, for a count of eight seconds. As the user applies force through their knees to push engagement members  30  apart from one another, engagement members  30  become fixed in position on elongate member  20 , thus providing a counterforce against which the knees of the user are pushing. After a count of eight seconds, the user should release the pressure being exerted on the engagement region  40  of device  10  through their knees and resume normal breathing. 
     It is recommended that a user carries out both the above exercises once, and then repeats both exercises once more. The two exercises should be carried out in this way at least three times daily. 
     In the exercises discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3A , the user, lying down or sitting, with their feet together acting as a fulcrum and the knees placed such as to be against the outer surface of the engagement members  30  of medical device  10 , brings their knees together with great force against the engagement members  30  which counteract such force. In this way, the sacro-iliac joints of the user give way fractionally as does the joint at the pubic bone. This results in the specialised ligaments involved in the stabilisation of the pelvis resetting themselves. This addresses the source of the pain experienced by the user prior to carrying out the exercises, due to destabilisation of the pelvis with the pelvis becoming obliquely angled, as previously discussed. 
     In the exercises discussed above with respect to  FIG. 3B , the knees are brought together and placed against the inner surfaces of engagement members  30  of device  10  and forced outwards against the engagement members  30 . Thus the pelvis is encouraged to return its own joints to normal alignment, with the resultant alleviation of the pain of the user due to pelvic dysfunction. 
     The exercises discussed in relation to  FIGS. 3A and 3B  may be used by a user in combination with accompanying massage techniques, such as lumbar-rub techniques to assist in alleviation of back pain due to misalignment of the pelvis. 
     Although aspects of the invention have been described with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiment shown and that various changes and modifications may be effected without further inventive skill and effort.