Patent Publication Number: US-2016228288-A1

Title: Thermal compression therapy device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a compression therapy device adapted to provide thermal compression therapy. More specifically, the invention is directed to a garment that is configured to provide thermal compression therapy to at least a portion of a chest area of an individual. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Cryotherapy, which is the application of cold to an injured area, is a treatment used to manage the magnitude of the inflammatory process, blood flow, initial swelling, secondary injury and pain. The use of ice packs is widespread because of their effectiveness, convenience, low cost, and ease of transportation. 
     Ice pack therapy is a treatment of cold temperatures to an injured area of the body. An ice pack is placed over an injured area and is intended to absorb heat of a closed traumatic or edematous injury by using conduction to transfer thermal energy. The physiologic effects of cold application include immediate vasoconstriction with reflexive vasodilation, decreased local metabolism and enzymatic activity, and decreased oxygen demand. Cold decreases muscle spindle fiber activity and slows nerve conduction velocity, therefore it is often used to decrease spasticity and muscle guarding. It is commonly used to alleviate the pain of minor injuries, as well as decrease muscle soreness. The use of ice packs in treatment decreases the blood flow most rapidly at the beginning of the cooling period. Ice is a very popular modality for treatment in injuries and muscle repair following any activity. 
     Cold compression therapy is typically used to reduce pain and swelling from a sports or activity injury to soft tissues and recommended by surgeons following surgery. The therapy is especially useful for sprains, strains, pulled muscles and pulled ligaments. Cold Compression is a combination of cryotherapy and static compression, commonly used for the treatment of pain and inflammation after acute injury or surgical procedures. The use of cryotherapy in acute injury management lowers the temperature of the injured tissue, which reduces the tissue&#39;s metabolic rate and helps the tissue to survive the period following the injury. Static compression is often used in conjunction with cryotherapy for the care of acute injuries, which increases external pressure on the tissue to prevent swelling. This occurs by hindering fluid loss from the vessels in the injured area, making it more difficult for fluids to accumulate. Ice with compression is significantly colder than ice alone due to improved skin contact and increased tissue density caused by extended static compression. Tissue reaches its lowest temperature faster and the tissue maintains its cool even after treatment ends. 
     Cold compression wraps can be used to apply the ice or cold to the desired body part. Many of the wraps available use adjustable elastic straps to aid in compression over the injured areas. Some wraps are used to hold an ice pack at the desired area and require the wrap to be wrapped around the desired area, i.e. torso, arm, or leg, whereas other wraps have a freezable ice pack that can be reused integrated into the wrap or have a pocket or compartment to receive the ice pack. These wraps require that the wrap be wrapped around the desired area in order to hold the ice pack in place. Wrapping an ice pack around a particular body part can require an excessive amount of wrapping in order to hold the ice pack at the desired area due to gravity and/or the desired area being at a point of the body that does not easily allow it to be wrapped, such as a shoulder or the torso. The wrapping could also be required to be wrapped around multiple body parts, several times, in order to properly secure the ice pack to the desired area, which could lead to discomfort. However, wrapping the wrap around the desired area could lead to inconsistent pressure being applied to the desired area due to size and/or shape of the wrap. 
     Plastic film wrap can also be used to wrap the ice pack around a desired area and is easy to apply and low in cost. However, the plastic film wrap must be discarded afterwards and is not reusable. Reusable wraps, such as bandages, are available in the marketplace, but still require that the bandage be wrapped around the body part to hold the ice pack in place. 
     Some wraps are molded in the shape of particular body parts, such as knee/elbow joints, shoulder, neck, arms, etc., and are configured to hold the ice pack at the desired area. These molded wraps come in various sizes such as small, medium, large, extra-large, but are not arranged to fit various body sizes. 
     Securing an ice pack to certain body parts can be difficult due to the location of the particular body part. For example, applying an ice pack to the chest areas of individuals can be accomplished by the individuals holding the ice pack themselves, wrapping a bandage or wrap multiple times around the torso and/or shoulders, or wearing a compression garment, such as a compression bra that has compartments to receive ice packs. Individuals holding the ice pack themselves can be bothersome because the individual must physically hold and apply the ice pack onto the desired area. Individuals could get tired and/or not properly apply the ice pack to the desired area. Wrapping a bandage or wrap multiple times could hold the ice pack to the chest area, but could require the wrap being wrapped around multiple body parts which could cause discomfort. Also, individuals would likely need the assistance of another person to wrap the ice pack to the chest area using a bandage or wrap. A compression garment, such as the compression bra, allows individuals to apply the ice pack to the chest area without having to hold the ice pack themselves and/or without the assistance of another person, thereby freeing the hands and allowing the individual to go about their lives. However, compression bras come in a variety of sizes ranging from small to extra-large, and are not configured to fit various body sizes. The compression bras might be slightly adjustable, but would not allow the sizing to vary between a small and an extra-large. 
     Thus, what is needed is a compression therapy device that is reusable and is arranged to fit various body sizes. 
     SUMMARY 
     A thermal compression therapy device for chest areas of an individual is presented which overcomes the problems noted above. In one embodiment, the thermal compression therapy device comprising a garment sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of an individual for applying a thermal treatment, the garment comprising a first region comprising a first cup area configured to cover a first chest area of the individual, a second region comprising a second cup area configured to cover a second chest area of the individual, at least one first shoulder strap configured to extend from said first region over a first shoulder of said individual to said second region, at least one second shoulder strap configured to extend from said second region over a second shoulder of said individual to said first region, wherein said first region and said second region adapted to be removably coupled to each other, and at least one first opening in said first cup area configured to receive a first thermal pack, said first thermal pack configured to be interposed between at least part of said first chest area and said first cup area. 
     In another embodiment, the thermal compression therapy device comprising a garment sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of an individual for applying a thermal treatment, the garment comprising a first region comprising a first cup area, a first apex extending from an upper portion of said first cup area, a first shoulder strap extending from a lower portion of said first cup area, a first back band extending from a lower portion of the first cup area proximate said first shoulder strap, and a first front panel extending from a lower portion of said first cup area opposite said first back band and said first shoulder strap. The garment further comprising a second region comprising a second cup area, a second apex extending from an upper portion of said second cup area, a second shoulder strap extending from a lower portion of said second cup area, a second back band extending from a lower portion of said second cup area proximate said second shoulder strap, a second front panel extending from a lower portion of said second cup area opposite said second back band and said second shoulder strap, wherein said first region and said second region are adapted to be removably coupled to each other, wherein said first cup area is configured to receive a first thermal pack, said first cup area adapted to hold said first thermal pack within said first cup area, and wherein said second cup area is configured to receive a second thermal pack, said second cup area adapted to hold said second thermal pack within said second cup area. 
     In yet another embodiment, the thermal compression therapy device for chest areas of an individual comprising a garment sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of said individual, the garment comprising a first region comprising a first cup area, a second region comprising a second cup area, and a first shoulder strap configured to extend from said first region over a first shoulder of said individual to said second region, and a second shoulder strap configured to extend from said second region over a second shoulder of said individual to said first region, wherein said first and second shoulder straps overlap in a crisscross arrangement, wherein said first region and said second region are adapted to be removably coupled to each other. The thermal compression therapy device further comprising a first thermal pack received by said first cup area and configured to be interposed between at least part of a first chest area of said individual and said first cup area, and a second thermal pack received by said first cup area and configured to be interposed between at least part of a second chest area of said individual and said second cup area. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a thermal compression therapy device according to an embodiment of the invention applied to a torso of an individual. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the thermal compression therapy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the thermal compression therapy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross sectional view of the thermal compression therapy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a garment according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7 a    is a front view of a first region of the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7 b    is a rear view of the first region of the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8 a    is a front view of a second region of the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8 b    is a rear view of the second region of the garment of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a thermal compression therapy device that is configured to provide thermal compression therapy to at least a portion of a chest area of an individual. The thermal compression therapy device according to the invention can be arranged in many different ways and with many different components, and is generally arranged to provide a garment sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of an individual for applying a thermal treatment. The garment adapted to alter its size to fit various body sizes. 
     The invention is described herein with reference to certain embodiments, but it is understood that the invention can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In particular, the invention is described below in regards to certain thermal compression therapy devices in different configurations, but it is understood that the invention can be used to apply thermal compression therapy to many other areas of an individual and can have many different configurations. The components can have different shapes and sizes beyond those shown in the figures or discussed herein. 
     It is to be understood that when an element or component is referred to as being “on” another element or component, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Furthermore, relative terms such as “between”, “within”, “below”, and similar terms, may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element or component to another. It is understood that these terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
     Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or components, these elements or components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element or component from another. Thus, a first element discussed herein could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present application. It is understood that actual devices embodying the invention can be arranged in many different ways with many more features and elements beyond what is shown in the figures. 
     Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations that are schematic illustrations. As such, the actual thickness of elements can be different, and variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Thus, the elements illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of a thermal compression therapy device  100  according to the invention. The thermal compression therapy device  100  comprises a garment  10  and at least one thermal pack  20 . The garment  10  is sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of an individual and is arranged to apply thermal therapy to the chest area of the individual. The garment  10  is configured to receive at least one thermal pack  20  and hold the at least one thermal pack  20  in place, wherein the at least one thermal pack  20  is interposed between the garment  10  and at least part of a chest area  11  of an individual. In one embodiment, the at least one thermal pack  20  can receive a cold substance, such as but not limited to ice or any other cold or frozen substance, in order to provide cold therapy to the chest area  11  of the individual. In another embodiment, the at least one thermal pack  20  can receive a heated substance, such as but not limited to hot water or any other heated substance, in order to provide heat therapy to the chest area  11  of the individual. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , when the garment  10  is worn by the individual, the at least one thermal pack  20  is removably coupled to the garment  10  and is interposed between at least part of the chest area  11  and an inner surface of the garment  10 . The at least one thermal pack  20  is able to substantially conform to the shape of the chest area  11  of the individual. In one embodiment, the at least one thermal pack  20  can substantially conform to a lower portion of the chest area  11  of the individual, whereas in other embodiments, the at least one thermal pack  20  can substantially conform to an upper portion of the chest area  11 . In yet other embodiments, the at least one thermal pack  20  can substantially conform to a substantial portion of the upper and lower portion of the chest area  11 . The at least one thermal pack  20  can be a conventional reusable ice pack bag known in the art. However, the at least one thermal pack  20  is not intended to be limited to the conventional reusable ice pack bags. The garment  10  is adapted to be adjustable such that the sizing of the garment  10  could either increase and/or decrease to fit the torso of the individual. At least one advantage of the invention is that the size of the garment  10  can be adjusted to fit various different body shapes. This allows the garment  10  to be adjusted to provide a custom fit to each individual. Furthermore, the adjustability of the garment  10  allows for control of the compression force applied on the torso and/or the compression of the at least one thermal pack  20  applied onto the chest area  11  of the individual. Thereby allowing users to have full control of how the garment  10  fits their body. 
     The garment  10  is adapted to be worn around the torso and over the shoulders of the individual in order to provide thermal therapy to the chest area  11  of the individual. In one embodiment, the chest area  11  is a breast area of the individual and the garment  10  is configured to provide thermal therapy to the breast area of the individual. When individuals have surgical procedures conducted in the chest area, they can experience pain and swelling in the chest area after the surgical procedure. Application of an ice pack to the chest area is typically used to reduce swelling and/or reduce pain. However, conventional ice packs have to be held in place on the chest area by the individual using their hand or are wrapped to the chest area using plastic film and/or a bandage. In both of these instances, the ice pack cannot be securely held against the chest area or it could fall out when the individual stands up and/or moves. Also, wrapping the bandage or film around the torso to hold the ice pack in place could lead to discomfort. The garment  10  is configured to securely position and hold the at least one thermal pack  20  to the chest area to provide thermal compression therapy. The garment also provides the individual with freedom of movement and use of the arms because the garment  10  holds the at least one thermal pack  20  to their chest area. The individual does not have to physically hold the at least one thermal pack  20  to their chest area, and can stand and/or walk around without concern of the thermal pack  20  falling or shifting position. 
     The garment  10  is sized for placement around the torso and over the shoulders of the individual. The garment  10  is arranged to allow the individual to have freedom of movement while wearing the garment and applying thermal treatment to the chest area of the individual. The garment  10  is configured so that the weight of the garment  10  and the at least one thermal pack  20  can be distributed to both shoulders of the individual. This prevents the situation where only one shoulder of the individual would bear the load of the garment  10  and the at least one thermal pack  20  while the device  100  is being used. At least one advantage is that distributing the load to both shoulders of the individual reduces strain on the back of the individual, which thereby reduces the likelihood of the individual sustaining an injury from using the device  100 . 
       FIGS. 5-8   b  show one embodiment of the garment  10  according to the invention. For the same or similar features, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the application herein. The garment  10  comprises a first region  12  and a second region  30 . The first region  12  comprises a first cup area  14  that is configured to cover a first chest area  3  of the individual. The second region  30  comprises a second cup area  32  that is configured to cover a second chest area  5  of the individual. In one embodiment, the first cup area  14  and the second cup area  32  are shaped to contour a respective first and second breast areas of the individual. The first and second cup areas  14 ,  32  can be comprised of one or more stitched panels. The one or more stitched panels are assembled such that the first and second cup areas  14 ,  32  are shaped to contour the respective first and second chest area and/or breast area of the individual. In other embodiments, the first and second cup areas  14 ,  32  can comprise a general cup-like shape. 
     The garment  10  further comprises at least one first shoulder strap  16  configured to extend from the first region  12  over a first shoulder of the individual to the second region  30 . At least one second shoulder strap  34  is configured to extend from the second region  30  over a second shoulder of the individual to the first region  12 . The at least one first shoulder strap  16  and the at least one second shoulder strap  34  extend to the opposing shoulder of the individual such that the at least one first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  overlap in a crisscross arrangement. The crisscross arrangement allows the weight of the garment  10  and the at least one thermal pack  20  to be distributed to both shoulders of the user, instead of the shoulders bearing the load of its respective first or second region  12 ,  30 . The crisscross arrangement also provides back support while the individual wears the device  100  such that the individual does not sustain back strain and/or injuries from wearing the device  100 . 
     The first region  12  further comprises at least one first opening  18  in the first cup area  14 . The first opening  18  is configured to receive at least one thermal pack  20 . The at least one thermal pack  20  received by the first opening  18  is configured to be interposed between at least part of the first chest area  3  (not shown) and the first cup area  14 . The first opening  18  is smaller in size than that of the at least one thermal pack  20 , and is adapted to expand its size in order to receive the thermal pack  20 . Once the thermal pack  20  is received by the at least one first opening  18 , the size of the at least one first opening  18  substantially returns to the original size, and in doing so, imparts a compression force onto the thermal pack  20 . The at least one first opening  18  does not completely return to its original size when it receives the thermal pack  20 , because not all of the thermal pack  20  is completely within the first cup area  14 . In some embodiments, at least part of the thermal pack  20  remains outside of the first cup area  14  and since the size of the thermal pack  20  is bigger than that of the at least one first opening  18 , the at least one first opening  18  resultantly applies a compression force onto the thermal pack  20  that is within the at least one first opening  18 . This compression force holds the thermal pack within the first cup area  14 . The compression force the garment  10  applies to the torso of the individual also contributes in holding the thermal pack  20  within the first cup area  14 , when the garment  10  is in use. 
     The first region  12  can be comprised of material exhibiting flexible, resilient, and elastic properties. The material used for the first region  12  allows the at least one first opening  18  to easily expand to receive the at least one thermal pack  20 . The elastic properties of the first region  12  allows the at least one first opening  18  to repeatedly return to its original size after continued usage. However, when the at least one thermal pack  20  is within the at least one first opening  18 , the at least one first opening  18  substantially returns to its original size because of the presence of the at least one thermal pack  20 . The at least one first opening  18  applies a compression force around the at least one thermal pack  20  and holds the at least one thermal pack  20  within the first cup area  14 . In one embodiment, the material used for the first region  12  can be neoprene. However, other similar materials can be used and the invention is not intended to be limited to neoprene. In other embodiments, the at least one thermal pack  20  can be completely inserted into the first cup area  14  and can be held in place by a compression force applied by the garment  10  onto the torso of the individual. In yet other embodiments, the at least one thermal pack  20  is not present and the garment  10  is worn alone and used as a compression garment to apply a compression force on the chest area and/or the torso of the individual. Compression therapy without a thermal treatment is often used after surgery to assist during the healing process, and can reduce swelling. The individual can use the garment  10  in a combination of compression therapy and thermal compression therapy without having to use multiple garments and/or bandages specially designed for each type of therapy. 
     The second region  30  further comprises at least one second opening  36  in the second cup area  32 . The at least one second opening  36  is configured similarly as the at least one first opening  18  of the first cup area  14 , discussed above, and can receive at least one thermal pack  20  in a similar manner as the at least one first opening  18  of the first cup area  14 . At least one thermal pack  20  is received by the at least one second opening  36  and is configured to be interposed between at least part of the second chest area  5  (not shown) and the second cup area  32 . The at least one second opening  36  is also smaller than the at least one thermal pack  20 . Once the thermal pack  20  is received by the at least one second opening  36 , the size of the at least one second opening  36  substantially returns to its original shape and imparts a compression force onto the thermal pack  20 , similarly as in the at least one first opening  18 . This compression force holds the thermal pack  20  within the second cup area  32 . The compression force the garment  10  applies to the torso of the individual also contributes in holding the thermal pack  20  within the second cup area  32 , when the garment  10  is in use. The second region  30  can also be comprised of the same material as the first region  12 . 
     The at least one first shoulder strap  16  is configured to extend from the first region  12  towards the second region  30 . In one embodiment the at least one first shoulder strap  16  extends from a lower portion  21  of the first cup area  14 . The at least one first shoulder strap  16  comprises an end  25  that is adapted to be removably coupled to the second region  30 . In one embodiment, the end  25  comprises hook fasteners that fasten the at least one first shoulder strap  16  to the second region  30 . The second region  30  comprises an inner surface  24  and an outer surface  22 , wherein the outer surface  22  is adapted to receive the end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16  in order to removably couple the first shoulder strap  16  to the second region  30 . The outer surface  22  of the second region  30  comprises a plurality of loops such that the hook fasteners of the end  25  can securely fasten the first shoulder strap  16  to the second region  30 . A substantial portion of the outer surface  22  of the second region  30  comprises a plurality of loops. In one embodiment, the outer surface  22  of the second region  30  is formed of a looped material, and the inner surface  24  of the second region  30  is comprised of material exhibiting flexible, resilient, and elastic properties, such as but not limited to neoprene. While in other embodiments, only part of outer surface  22  comprises the looped material. The outer surface  22  of the second region allows the end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16  to be removably coupled to the second region  30  at substantially any point of the outer surface  22 . This allows the positioning of the first shoulder strap  16  to be adjusted in order to customize the size and/or the fit of the garment  10 . The end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16  can comprise many different fastening devices, such as but not limited to buttons, clips, or the like, and is not intended to be limited to hook fasteners. The outer surface  22  can comprise many different complementary fastening devices, such as but not limited to button holes, clasps, or the like, and is not intended to be limited to looped material or comprising a plurality of loops. 
     The at least one second shoulder strap  34  is configured to extend from the second region  30  towards the first region  12 . In one embodiment the at least one second shoulder strap  34  extends from a lower portion  41  of the second cup area  32 . The at least one second shoulder strap  34 , is configured in a manner similar to the first shoulder strap  16 , and also comprises an end  25  adapted to be removably coupled to the first region  12 . In one embodiment, the end  25  of the at least one second shoulder strap  34  can also comprise hook fasteners that fasten the at least one second shoulder strap  34  to the first region  12 . The first region  12  comprises an inner surface  24  and an outer surface  22 , similar to the second region  30  discussed above. The outer surface  22  of the first region  12  is adapted to receive the end  25  of the second shoulder strap  34  in order to removably couple the second shoulder strap  34  to the first region  12 . The outer surface  22  of the first region  12  allows the end  25  of the second shoulder strap  34  to be removably coupled to the first region  12  at substantially any point of the outer surface  22  of the first region  12 . This also allows the positioning of the second shoulder strap  34  on the outer surface  22  of the first region  12  to be adjustable in order to customize the size and/or fit of the garment  10 . At least one advantage of the invention is that the adjustability of the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  allows the garment  10  to be size adjustable for various different body types. The adjustability of the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  also allows the compression applied by the garment  10  onto the chest areas of the individual to be altered. 
     The first region  12  can further comprise a first apex  15 , a first back band  17 , and a first front panel  19 . The second region  30  can further comprise a second apex  33 , a second back band  35 , and a second front panel  37 . The first and second apexes  15 ,  33 , first and second back bands  17 ,  35 , and first and second front panels  19 ,  37  are configured to removably couple the first and second regions  12 ,  30  to each other. 
     The first apex  15  extends from an upper portion  23  of the first cup area  14 . The first apex  15  is adapted to receive the second shoulder strap  34  such that the second shoulder strap  34  is removably coupled to the first region  12 . The first apex provides a surface to receive the end  25  of the second shoulder strap  34  in order to removably couple the second shoulder strap  34  to the first region  12 . The end  25  of the second shoulder strap  34  is fastened to the outer surface  22  of the first apex  15 . As discussed above, the outer surface  22  of the first region  12  can comprise a plurality of loops  27 . As such, the outer surface  22  of the first apex  15  is adapted to receive the hook fasteners  26  of the end  25  of the second shoulder strap  34 . The second apex  33  is configured similarly to the first apex  15 . The second apex  33  extends from an upper portion  39  of the second cup area  32 . The second apex  33  is adapted to receive the first shoulder strap  16 , such that the first shoulder strap  16  is removably coupled to the second region  30 . The second apex  33  provides a surface to receive the end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16  in order to removably couple the first shoulder strap  16  to the second region  30 . The end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16  is fastened to the outer surface  22  of the second apex  33 . The outer surface  22  of the second apex  33  comprises a plurality of loops  27  to receive the hook fasteners of the end  25  of the first shoulder strap  16 . 
     The first apex  15  and the second apex  33  can further comprise an orientation marking  40  which identifies which side the first and second regions  12 ,  30  are to be positioned when the garment  10  is constructed. The orientation markings  40  also indicate which side of the torso of the individual the first and second regions  12 ,  30  are to be located when the garment  10  is worn. In one embodiment, the orientation markings  40  can be on the inner surface  24  of the first and second apexes  15 ,  33 . In other embodiments, the orientation markings  40  can be on the outer surface  22  of the first and second regions  12 ,  30 . The orientation markings  40  can be comprised of one or more digits, letters, characters, figures or the like. In one embodiment, the orientation marking  40  on the inner surface  24  of the first apex  15  is the letter “R” indicating that the first region  12  is configured to be worn on the right side of the torso, while the orientation marking  40  on the inner surface  24  of the second apex  33  is the letter “L” indicating that the second region  30  is configured to be worn on the left side of the torso. 
     The hook and loop fastener combination securely fastens the second shoulder strap  34  to the first apex  15  and the first shoulder strap  16  to the second apex  33 . The first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  can be removably coupled to the respective apex  33 ,  15  at substantially any point of the outer surface  22  of the respective apex  33 ,  15 . The adjustability of coupling the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  to the respective apex  33 ,  15  allows the compression applied on the torso by the garment  10  to be adjusted. The adjustability of the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  can also adjust the support each first and second cup area  14 ,  32  provide when the garment  10  is worn. The adjustability of the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  also provides further customization of the garment  10  such that the size of the garment  10  can be adjusted for various body sizes. 
     The first back band  17  extends from a lower portion  21  of the first cup area  14  and is proximate the at least one first shoulder strap  16 . The second back band  35  extends from a lower portion  41  of the second cup area  32  and is proximate the at least one second shoulder strap  34 . The first back band  17  is adapted to receive the second back band  35  of the second region  30 , wherein the second back band  35  is removably coupled to the first region  12 . The first back band  17  provides a surface to receive an end  25  of the second back band  35  in order to removably couple the second back band  35  to the first region  12 . The end  25  of the second back band  35  is adapted to be fastened to the outer surface  22  of the first back band  17 . The end  25  of the second back band  35  can be removably coupled at substantially any point along the length of the outer surface  22  of the first back band  17 . The first and second back bands  17 , are configured to form the lower support portion of the garment  10  when the first and second regions  12 ,  30  are coupled. When the first and second back bands  17 ,  35  are fastened, they assist in securing the garment  10  to the torso of the individual. The first and second back bands  17 ,  35  can also assist in positioning the first and second cup areas  14 ,  32  to cover the respective first and second chest areas  3 ,  5  of the individual. Adjusting the position where the end  25  of the second back band  35  is removably coupled to the first back band  17  can also adjust the compression force the garment  10  applies to the torso of the individual. Furthermore, the first and second back bands  17 ,  35  are adapted to adjust the size of the garment  10  for various body sizes. 
     The first front panel  19  extends from the lower portion  21  of the first cup area  14  opposite the first back band  17  and the first shoulder strap  16 . The second front panel  37  extends from the lower portion  41  of the second cup area  32  opposite the second back band  35  and the second shoulder strap  34 . The first front panel  19  is adapted to be removably coupled to the second front panel  37  of the second region  30 . The first front panel  19  comprises an end  25  that is configured to be received by the second front panel  37 . The second front panel  37  provides a surface to receive the end  25  of the first front panel  19 . The end  25  of the first front panel  19  is adapted to be fastened to the outer surface  22  of the second front panel  37 . The end  25  of the first front panel  19  can comprise hook fasteners  26  and the outer surface  22  of the second front panel  37  can comprise a plurality of loops  27 , such that the first front panel  19  can be removably coupled to the second front panel  37 . In one embodiment, the end  25  of the first front panel  19  is on the inner surface  24  of the first front panel  19 . However, in other embodiments, the end  25  of the first front panel  19  can be on the outer surface  22  of the first front panel  19 . The end  25  of the first front panel  19  can be coupled to substantially any part of the outer surface  22  of the second front panel  37 . The first front panel  19  is configured to receive the second front panel  37 . The second front panel  37  comprises an end  25  and is configured to be received by the first front panel  19 . The first front panel  19  provides a surface to receive the end  25  of the second front panel  37 . The end  25  of the second front panel  37  is adapted to be fastened to the inner surface  24  of the first region  12 . In one embodiment the end  25  of the second front panel  37  is on the outer surface  22  of the second front panel  37 . However, in other embodiments, the end  25  of the second front panel  37  can be on the inner surface  24  of the second front panel  37 . Part of the inner surface  24  of the first region  12  comprises a plurality of loops  27  on the inner surface  24  of the first front panel  19 . The end  25  of the second front panel  37  can comprise hook fasteners  26  such that the end  25  of the second front panel  37  can be removably coupled to the inner surface  24  of the first front panel  19 . The end  25  of the second front panel  37  can be coupled to substantially any part of the inner surface  24  that comprises the plurality of loops  27  of the first front panel  19 . This configuration results in the first front panel  19  overlapping the second front panel  37 . 
     At least one advantage of the invention is that the overlapping configuration of the front panels provides for only one manner of properly constructing the garment  10 , and eliminates confusion as to proper construction of the garment  10 . For example, proper construction of the garment  10  requires the first region  12  and the second region  30  to be removably coupled to each other, wherein the second front panel  37  is removably coupled to the inner surface  24  of the first front panel  19 , and the first front panel  19  is removably coupled to the outer surface  22  of the second front panel  37 . The ends  25  of the first and second front panels  19 ,  37  are configured such that the first and second front panels  19 ,  37  can be removably coupled to each other with ease. Furthermore, proper construction of the garment  10  further requires the second back band  35  to be removably coupled to the outer surface  22  of the first back band  17 . The end  25  of the second back band  35  is on the inner surface  24  of the second back band  35  and allows the second back band  35  to be easily removably coupled to the first back band  17 . Another advantage of the invention is that the overlapped first and second front panels provides structural support to the garment  10  and can also assist in securing the garment  10  to the torso of the individual. The first front panel  19  being removably coupled to the second front panel  37 , and the second front panel  37  being removably coupled to the first front panel  19  securely fastens the front panels  19 ,  37  together and allows the garment  10  to support the load of one or more thermal packs  20  that may be received by one or both of the first and second cup areas  14 ,  32 . Additionally, the coupled first and second front panels  19 ,  37  also provide support to the first and second chest areas  3 ,  5  within the respective first and second cup areas  14 ,  32 . Furthermore, the coupling of the first and second front panels  19 ,  37  can be adjusted in order to adjust the compression force the garment  10  applies to the torso. The first and second front panels  19 ,  37  are also adapted to adjust the size of the garment  10  for various body sizes. 
     Yet another advantage of the invention is that the first and second front panels  19 ,  37  are adapted to adjust the separation between the first cup area  14  and the second cup area  32 . In some instances, the first and second front panels  19 ,  37  can be adjustable to position the first and second cup areas  14 , to substantially correspond to the separation between the first and second chest areas  3 ,  5  of the individual. Once the desired positioning of the first and second cup areas  14 ,  32  are set by the individual, the first and second back bands  17 ,  35 , and the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34  can be adjusted to set the desired compression the garment  10  applies to the torso of the individual. 
     The garment  10  is highly adjustable and is adapted to accommodate various body shapes and sizes. The adjustability of the garment  10  allows the garment  10  to essentially be a universal sized garment or a one size fits all garment. For example, the size of the garment  10  can be adjusted to range from a size small to extra-large. The size of the garment  10  can be varied by adjusting the coupling of any one or all of the following: the first and second front panels  19 ,  37 , the first and second back band  17 ,  35 , and/or the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34 . The compression force applied to the torso by the garment  10  can also be increased/decreased by adjusting the coupling of any one or all of the following: the first and second front panels  19 ,  37 , the first and second back band  17 ,  35 , and/or the first and second shoulder straps  16 ,  34 . The garment  10  can be worn alone without any thermal packs  20  and used as a compression garment. The garment  10  can be comprised of neoprene, as discussed above, which is a breathable material and allows the garment  10  to be in contact with the skin of the individual. The garment  10  can be worn underneath clothing, or over clothing. The garment  10  is easily washable and reusable. The first and second region  12 ,  30  being removably coupled allows the garment  10  to be disassembled prior to cleaning and/or storage. The first and second regions  12 ,  30  being removably coupled allows for any damaged region to be easily replaced without having to replace the entire garment  10 . Also, since the garment  10  is made in one size there are no instances where users obtain a replacement region in the incorrect size. Furthermore, the adjustability of the garment also provides individuals with a cost-effective solution. Some compression garments are custom made to fit a specific individual, and these custom-fitted garments can be expensive. The device  100  allows individuals to obtain a compression garment that can be used to provide a thermal treatment and/or a compression treatment that is adjustable to custom fit the individuals without having to purchase a custom made compression garment, which can reduce expenses incurred by individuals 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.