Abstract:
An apparatus ( 10 ) for a craniosacral therapy technique is provided. The apparatus ( 10 ) is configured as a headrest for a human being to rest their head on. The apparatus ( 10 ) is comprised of a resilient monocoque structure having a sidewall made from a thermo-plastic elastomer. The apparatus ( 10 ) is comprised of a base portion ( 105 ), two semi-spherical shaped protuberances ( 120, 130 ) extending upward from the base portion ( 105 ), and a channel ( 125 ) formed between the two protuberances ( 120, 130 ). The adjacent protuberances ( 120, 130 ) put stabilizing bi-lateral pressure on the occipital region of the head to induce what is known as a “still point”. After a rest period of up to twenty minutes, the pressure on the occipital region is removed. The release of the apparatus ( 10 ) allows production of cerebrospinal fluids which then gently flushes these areas of tissue restrictions or adhesions thereby improving circulation and facilitating greater balance and function of the central nervous system.

Description:
STATEMENT OF THE TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an apparatus for a craniosacral therapy technique. More particularly, this invention relates to a craniosacral therapeutic apparatus configured as a headrest wherein a pair of semi-spherical protuberances put bi-lateral stabilizing pressure on the occipital region of a human head for inducing a still point. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The craniosacral system extends from the skull, face, and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area. Since the craniosacral system is a vital system that influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor, or neurological difficulties. These problems could include chronic pain, eye difficulties, neurological disorders, learning disabilities and other health difficulties. 
         [0003]    Craniosacral therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages natural healing mechanisms to dissipate the negative effects of stress on the central nervous system. Conventional techniques by practitioners of craniosacral therapy include using a light touch to evaluate the craniosacral system (CSS) to detect the potential restrictions and imbalances. Specific techniques are then used to release any restrictions and imbalances. 
         [0004]    One technique craniosacral therapists use to release restrictions and imbalances in the craniosacral system is to gently induce an interruption in the natural rhythm in the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. Such an interruption mimics naturally occurring resting of the cerebrospinal fluid known as a still point. The delicate interruption of the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid allows for a relaxation of the central nervous system, reorganization and rebalancing of the entire CSS. When the stillpoint ends and the cerebrospinal fluid begins to flow again, the movement of fluid gently “flushes” the system, facilitating the release of restrictions and adhesions in the membranous tissue. 
         [0005]    Two phases in the craniosacral rhythm have been identified. In the flexion phase, the whole body externally rotates. The head actually widens, and the base of the sacrum moves posteriorly. In contrast, in the extension phase the body rotates internally and the head narrows. It has been theorized that the flexion phase of the rhythmical cycle is created when the input of cerebrospinal fluid into the semi-closed craniosacral system, formed by the dura mater membrane, exceeds the outflow. During the extension phase of the craniosacral rhythm, the input of cerebrospinal fluid is either shut off completely or is significantly less than the outflow. Thus, the flexion phase is one of filling, and the extension phase is one of emptying. 
         [0006]    Craniosacral therapists can induce a still point by using manual techniques to resist either the flexion or extension phase. Generally, it is easier and more efficient to resist the filling (flexion) than emptying (extension). Such manual techniques include the therapist stabilizing the occipital region of the head. However, there are some drawbacks in using a therapist to induce a still point. One drawback is that a therapist isn&#39;t always available whenever a stillpoint is desired or needed. 
         [0007]    There are devices known in the art for allowing a human being to self induce a still point. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,890 to Codd, there is a therapeutic pillow for inducing a state of physiological relaxation. The pillow is formed from a substantially shaped sustaining material and comprises an upwardly facing concave supporting surface formed by four component surfaces which are separated by a cruciform shaped recess. However, such a pillow is expensive to manufacture and does not provide a construction which allows for a variable resiliency or stabilizing pressure applied to the occipital region. 
         [0008]    Another example can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,238,413 and 6,773,449 issued to Wexler which show a mounting apparatus for applying pressure to the back of a human head having a harness for attaching the apparatus to the from portion of the head and a therapeutic pad attached to the harness. The therapeutic pad has a first and a second protrusion on an inner surface thereof, each adapted to contact an occiput at the back of the head. Such a device is cumbersome to put on the head and uncomfortable for the user to wear. 
         [0009]    In view of the forgoing, there remains a need for an apparatus which a human being can self induce a still point by manually resisting the filling of the craniosacral system with cerebrospinal fluid. The apparatus must be easy to use, comfortable, and provide for a construction that can be easily modified to provide a variable resiliency and cushioning. The present invention fulfills this need by providing an apparatus configured as a head rest which puts stabilizing pressure on the occipital region of the head temporarily interrupting the flow of the cerebrospinal fluid. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention concerns an apparatus for performing a craniosacral therapy technique. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is configured as a headrest comprising a resilient monocoque structure having a sidewall made from a material. The resilient structure is formed from a base portion and at least two protuberances integrally formed with and extending upward from the base portion. There is a channel formed between the at least two protuberances and a bridge connecting the at least two protuberances together which partially defines the channel. Each of the at least two protuberances has a shoulder that tapers into the channel. The at least two protuberances are semi-spherical shaped and are symmetrical about the channel. 
         [0011]    The sidewall includes a first sidewall opposed from a second sidewall and a third sidewall opposed from a fourth sidewall. The third sidewall joins the first sidewall to the second sidewall at a first end. The fourth sidewall joins the first sidewall to the second sidewall at a second end opposed to the first end. The first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls collectively define a bottom edge of the resilient structure. The first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls taper radially outward from a vertical axis of the body portion from a top of the at least two protuberances to the bottom edge. The sidewall is comprised of a thermo-plastic elastomer. 
         [0012]    The sidewall of the resilient structure has an outer surface and an inner surface. The resilient structure has a hollow interior bounded at least partially by the inner surface. Each of the at least two protuberances are strengthened by a reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure is disposed on an underside of the protuberance. The reinforcement structure is formed from a first plurality of reinforcement members interlaced with a second plurality of reinforcement members. The reinforcement structure is integrally formed with the protuberance. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a plate removably attached to the bottom edge of the resilient structure. The removable plate provides a foundation for the structure when the structure is placed on a surface. The plate is removably attached to the structure with a plurality of posts extending upwardly from and spaced apart on the periphery of the plate. The plurality of posts is received by a complementary plurality of sockets which are similarly spaced apart adjacent to the bottom edge of the base portion of the structure. The plurality of posts is grasped by the plurality of sockets in a frictional type fit. The removable plate improves the structural rigidity of the structure by preventing the bottom edges of the first, second, third and fourth sidewalls of the structure from deforming when pressure is applied onto the at least two protuberances. The removable plate includes a ridge on the upper surface which is spaced from the peripheral edge of the removable plate. The ridge defines a shelf on the periphery of the removable plate wherein the bottom edge of the base portion of the structure is seated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughout the figures, and in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a craniosacral therapy apparatus that is useful for understanding the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of another embodiment of a craniosacral therapy. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an exploded front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an exploded bottom perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the intended use thereof by a human being. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a rear view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the intended use thereof by a human being. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , shown is a perspective view of one embodiment of a craniosacral therapeutic apparatus  10  that is useful for understanding the invention. The therapeutic apparatus  10  is configured as a headrest which a human being rests their head on. The apparatus has two protuberances  120 ,  130  for putting bi-lateral stabilizing pressure on the occipital region of the head. The pressure temporarily interrupts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the craniosacral system of a human being to induce an otherwise natural interruption of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid known as a still point. 
         [0026]    The therapeutic apparatus  10  is a resilient structure made by injection molding a material to form a sidewall of a finite thickness. In one embodiment of the invention, the material is comprised of thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE). However, the selection of TPE is not limiting because there is known in the art a number of other materials that could be used that have the desired properties and are capable of being molded and shaped as shown. In one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the TPE sidewall is approximately one-eighth of an inch. However, this selection of the thickness of the sidewall is not limiting as the thickness chosen could vary according to the resiliency desired for the apparatus  10  to take into account other factors such as the amount of pressure desired to be placed on the back of the human being&#39;s head by the protuberances  120 ,  130  and the weight of the human being&#39;s head. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the resilient structure of apparatus  10  includes a base portion  105  which serves as a base for the pair of protuberances  120 ,  130  which extend upwardly from the base portion  105 . In one embodiment of the invention, the protuberances  120 ,  130  are semi-spherical in shape. However, the invention is not limited in this regard. The protuberances  120 ,  130  are for putting bi-lateral stabilizing pressure on the occipital region of the head (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). The base portion  105  has a bottom edge  106  that extends around and forms the periphery of the therapeutic apparatus  10 . The base portion  105  is approximately six inches in length and three and one-half inches in width at a point adjacent the bottom edge  106 . The apparatus  10  is two and one-half inches in height from the bottom edge  106  to the top of the protuberances  120 ,  130 . Still, the invention is not limited in this regard. 
         [0028]    The base portion  105  is partially comprised of a bridge  124  that connects the adjacent protuberances  120 ,  130 . The bridge  124  also partially forms a channel  125  between the protuberances  120 ,  130 . There is a shoulder  122  between the protuberance  120  and channel  125 . There is another shoulder  132  between protuberance  130  and the channel  125 . The base portion  105  is comprised of a first sidewall  107  opposed from a second sidewall  108  ( FIG. 4 ). The first sidewall  107  is connected to the second sidewall  108  by a third sidewall  109  at one end of base portion  105  and at an opposing end of base portion  105  by a fourth sidewall  110  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). The third sidewall  109  and fourth sidewall  110  are curved to meet the first sidewall  109  and second sidewall  110  at their respective ends. The third sidewall  109  tapers radially outward an angle Θ from the vertical axis V 1  from the top of projection  120  to the bottom edge  106 . The fourth sidewall  110  tapers radially outward an angle Θ from the vertical axis V 2  from the top of protuberance  130  to the bottom edge  106 . The first and second sidewalls  107 ,  108  taper radially outward at an angle φ from the vertical axes V 1 , V 2  of base portion  105  from the top of protuberances  120 ,  130  to the bottom edge  106 . In one embodiment of the invention, θ=10° and φ=10°. Still, the invention is not limited in this regard as θ and φ can be variable to select the desired strength and resiliency of the resilient structure. Collectively, the first sidewall  107 , second sidewall  108 , third sidewall  109 , and fourth sidewall  110  form a unitary sidewall  111  that defines the resilient structure. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , shown is an elevated bottom perspective view of the therapeutic apparatus  10 . As discussed, the apparatus  10  is formed from a resilient monocoque structure having a unitary sidewall  111 . The sidewall  111  has an inner surface  112  and an outer surface  113 . The inner surface  112  at least partially defines a hollow interior  114 . Both the hollow interior  114  and the unitary sidewall  111  the resilient structure is made from contribute to the required resiliency or cushioning that is critical to the apparatus  10  applying the proper amount of stabilizing pressure to the occipital region of the head. If there is too much resiliency, the apparatus  10  would be ineffective and no stillpoint would be induced. If there is not enough resiliency in the apparatus  10 , the apparatus  10  would be so uncomfortable that nobody would want to use it. 
         [0030]    There are reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  located on the underside of protuberances  120 ,  130 . The reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  are integrally formed in the sidewall  111  partially forming protuberances  120 ,  130 . The reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  serve to strengthen the protuberances  120 ,  130  and distribute the weight of a head placed on protuberances  120 ,  130  more uniformly to the adjacent first and second sidewalls  107 ,  108  ( FIG. 4 ) and the respective third sidewall  109  (projection  120 ) and the fourth sidewall  110  (projection  130 ). Each of the reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  is comprised of a first plurality of reinforcement members  122  interlaced with a second plurality of reinforcement members  123 . In one embodiment of the invention, the first plurality of reinforcement members  122  is perpendicular to the second plurality of reinforcement members  123 . Still, the invention in not limited in this regard. The dimensions of the first plurality of reinforcement members  122  and second plurality of reinforcement members  123  including the height, length, and spacing therebetween are advantageously selected to provide a desired strengthening of protuberances  120 ,  130  while also contemplating a desired resiliency of protuberances  120 ,  130 . 
         [0031]    It should be understood that the apparatus  10  formed from the resilient monocoque structure having a unitary sidewall  111 , a hollow interior  114 , and reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  reduces the amount of material required to manufacture an otherwise solid structure. This results in lower overall manufacturing costs. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 through 8 , shown is another embodiment of a craniosacral therapeutic apparatus  20  having a removable plate  140  for providing a foundation for a craniosacral therapeutic apparatus such as the craniosacral therapeutic apparatus  10  previously described in  FIGS. 1 through 5 . The apparatus  20  is identical to the apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5  including having two protuberances  120 ,  130 , a base portion  105  formed from a unitary sidewall  111 , and a channel  125  between the protuberances  120 ,  130 . The base portion  105  is comprised of a first sidewall  107  opposed from a second sidewall  108  (not shown). The first sidewall  107  is connected to the second sidewall  108  (not shown) by a third sidewall  109  at one end of base portion  105  and at an opposing end of base portion  105  by a fourth sidewall  110 . There are reinforcement structures  121 - 1 ,  121 - 2  located on the underside of protuberances  120 ,  130 . 
         [0033]    The removable plate  140  provides the apparatus  20  with improved structural rigidity by preventing the bottom edges of the first sidewall  107  and second sidewall  108  (not shown) from deforming when pressure is applied onto protuberances  120 ,  130 . Similarly, the plate  140  prevents the bottom edges of the third sidewall  109  and the fourth sidewall  110  from deforming when pressure is put onto protuberances  120 ,  130 . As a result, the removable plate  140  contributes to the overall resiliency of the apparatus  20 . The removable plate  140  is attached to the bottom edge  106  of base portion  105  by a plurality of posts  150  that are located on and extend upwardly from the upper surface of plate  140  and are spaced around the periphery of the plate  140 . The plurality of posts  150  are received in a plurality of complementary sockets  115  spaced around the periphery of the bottom edge  106  collectively defined by first, second, third and fourth sidewalls,  107 ,  108 ,  109 ,  110 . The plurality of sockets  115  are located on the inner surface  112  of sidewall  111  adjacent the bottom edge  106 . The plurality of posts  150  are gripped in sockets  115  in a frictional type fit. In the embodiment shown, there are twelve posts  150  and twelve sockets  115 . However, the number of posts  150  and sockets  115  is not limiting as the number of posts  150  and sockets  115  could vary according to design requirements. 
         [0034]    There is a ridge  142  ( FIG. 7 ) located on the upper surface of plate  140  exterior of the plurality of posts  150  on the periphery of plate  140 . There is a shelf  143  defined by the ridge  142  and the edge  141  of plate  140 . The bottom edge  106  of the base portion  105  is seated onto the shelf  143  of plate  140 . The ridge  142  also prevents the bottom edge  106  of base portion  105  from deforming inward when pressure is applied to protuberances  120 ,  130 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , shown is a side and rear view of the intended use of the therapeutic apparatus  10  of  FIGS. 1 through 5 . Alternatively, the therapeutic apparatus  20  of  FIGS. 6 through 8  is used in the same fashion. In use, the therapeutic apparatus  10  is placed on a level surface  8 . A human being  5  lies down on the level surface  8  and places their head  6  so that a portion of their head  6  is inserted into the channel  125  in between protuberances  120 ,  130 . The channel  125  keeps the head  6  fixed when the head  6  is rested on the therapeutic apparatus  10 . The head  6  is positioned on the therapeutic apparatus  10  such that the human being&#39;s eyes and ears on head  6  and the therapeutic apparatus  10  are aligned along line X. The protuberances  120 ,  130  put stabilizing pressure on the occipital region of the head identified by the arrows  300 ,  301 . The human being  5  rests their head on the therapeutic apparatus  10  for a period up to twenty minutes. After the twenty minute period has expired, the human being  5  must remove their head  6  from the therapeutic apparatus  10 . Sometime during the twenty minute period, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the craniosacral system has been interrupted to induce a still point. This procedure can be repeated several times a day for improving the flow of cerebrospinal fluid resulting in improved overall well-being. 
         [0036]    All of the apparatus, methods and algorithms disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the apparatus, methods and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined.