Patent Publication Number: US-2007117698-A1

Title: Therapeutic device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      This invention relates to a therapeutic device. In use, the device cradles the head of a user.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In a first aspect the present invention provides a therapeutic device comprising: a cradling portion arranged to cradle the head of a user; a pivoting arrangement provides a pivot area spaced away from the cradling portion and allows the cradling portion to pivot about more than one axis, such that in use the user must effect a balancing action to maintain the position of their head.  
      The pivot area may be spaced away from the cradling portion by a distance of 2 to 8 centimetres, but preferably by a distance of about 4 to 5 centimetres.  
      The pivoting arrangement may comprise a generally convex surface. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 1   b  is an illustration of a person using the therapeutic device of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Referring to  FIG. 1   a , there is shown a therapeutic device  100 . Device  100  comprises a cradling portion in the form of concave portion  110  contoured to comfortably receive the posterior curvature of a user&#39;s head (particularly the region immediately above the sub-occipital bone—See also  FIG. 2 ) and a pivoting arrangement in the form of convex base  120  having a pivot area  130  for allowing the concave portion  110  to pivot about more than one axis. The pivot area  130  is spaced away from the concave portion  110  by a distance of approximately 4 centimetres.  
      A method for relieving muscle tension using the device  100  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1   b . While lying in the semi-supine position (ie lying on the back with the knees in the upright position and the elbows on the ground and hands resting upon the iliac crest), a user  140  places the device  100  directly underneath their head  150  such that the device  100  engages the ground  160  at pivot area  130 . While supporting the device  100  in an upright position, the user  140  gently lowers their head  150  until it is resting comfortably on the concave portion  110 . From this point onwards, the user  140  is required to effect a delicate balancing action to prevent their head from tipping in one or more directions; for example from side to side, forwards, backwards, or a combination of the above. The balancing action engaged by the head  150  and neck  170  allows the musculature tensions that have accumulated throughout the head  150 , neck  170  and back  180  to be released through head  150  and down through the sacrum (not shown). In addition, the slight raise from the horizontal encourages the user&#39;s lower back to fall into the ground, giving a flatter, freer and fuller sensation throughout the lower back and pelvic region.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2  there is shown an alternate embodiment of the therapeutic device  200  having an alternate pivoting arrangement  220 . In this embodiment, the convex curvature of the pivoting arrangement  220  is slightly less exaggerated, providing a more limited freedom of movement throughout the head  150  and neck  170 , when in use. The concave portion  210  has a diameter approximately twice that of the previous embodiment, however maintains a spacing of approximately 4 centimetres between the pivot area  230  and concave portion  210 .  
      Due to the pivoting arrangement provided by the present invention, the user is required to effect a delicate balancing action in order to maintain the position of their head, which is conducive to providing a sensation of freedom throughout the body that can then be transferred to the standing and sitting positions, and indeed through all aspects of life and human movement.  
      In the described embodiments the therapeutic device was made from moulded clay that had been air dried prior to use. However, it is readily appreciated that the device could be made of any hard and durable material that is rigid enough to resist distortion, for example: plastics, wood etc. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is made of a plastic formed using injection moulding techniques.  
      The above described pivoting arrangements comprised of generally convex base members arranged to engage the ground at their extremity, or pivot area. However, the invention could equally be realised using any form of pivoting arrangement including mechanical couplings, parabolic base members, conical base members etc.  
      Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.  
      Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or additions may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.