Patent Publication Number: US-2020297567-A1

Title: Myofascial Release Table

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to myofascial release therapies, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for performing myofascial release therapies for alleviating muscle tension. 
     During myofascial release techniques, a user has to position their body against a roller which works the muscle. This roller (often formed of foam) is typically placed on a floor or other flat surface and the user&#39;s body must be placed on top of the roller. Typically, the user must assume awkward positions in order to apply pressure from the roller to the affected muscles to thereby release muscle tension. For some people, these positions are impossible to achieve due to the individual&#39;s limited flexibility, mobility, or sheer size of the person. 
     The problems with myofascial release foam rollers is that so many people are unable to use them due to their lack of physical flexibility limitations or are uncomfortable using them due to the coordination required for assuming the complex physical positions for these therapies. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for improved apparatus and method for myofascial release therapy that allows for use by any size person, with any strength or flexibility level. The rollers in the table and the handles on the table side allow a user to position themselves easily on the rollers. The user has full control and does not have to have excellent flexibility or coordination to be successful. The physical difficulties are removed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention a myofascial release table is disclosed. The myofascial release table includes an arcuate base support, having a left and a right support member. The left and the right support member have arcuate legs defined at a first end and a second end thereof. A linear intermediate portion is defined between the arcuate legs. 
     A plurality of first rollers are rotationally disposed in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right support member. The plurality of first rollers beginning at an upper end of the arcuate legs and extending along the intermediate portion. At least one second roller rotationally disposed between the left and the right support member and interposed between the plurality of first rollers along the intermediate portion of the base support, the at least one second roller having a diameter substantially larger than that of the plurality of first rollers, the plurality of first rollers and the at least one second roller defining a rolling surface. 
     An upright handrail extends along a longitudinal length of at least one of the left and the right support member. The upright handrail is elevated with respect to the rolling surface. The handrail extends along the rolling surface and may include an upper hand rail and a lower hand rail that is substantially parallel the upper hand rail. In some embodiments, a plurality of hand grips extend between the upper hand rail and the lower hand rail. The plurality of hand grips may be oriented substantially orthogonal to the upper hand rail and the lower hand rail. 
     The rolling surface will preferably have a length to support a majority of a user&#39;s body while in a supine position on the rolling surface. The at least one second roller is positioned along a spinal area of the user&#39;s body when in a supine position on the rolling surface. The base support positions a horizontal component of the rolling surface at a seating height of the user. 
     In other aspects of the invention, a method of myofascial release therapy is disclosed. The method includes providing a myofascial release table having a plurality of in line first rollers that are rotationally disposed in a spaced apart relation between a left and a right base support. At least one second roller is rotationally disposed between the left and the right support member and is interposed between the plurality of first rollers along an intermediate portion of the base support. The at least one second roller has a diameter that is substantially larger than that of the plurality of first rollers. The plurality of first rollers and the at least one second roller define a rolling surface. The user is positioned in a supine position on the rolling surface so that the at least one second roller is positioned subjacent to the user&#39;s spine. The user is selectively repositioned along the rolling surface to work the at least one second roller against a targeted muscle group are of the user. The user may then be oriented along the rolling surface to position the second roller against a subsequent targeted muscle group. 
     A hand rail may be provided along a lateral side of the rolling surface. The user may utilize the handrail to position themselves on the myofascial release table. The user may also use the hand rail to perform the step of selectively repositioning. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a myofascial release table; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the myofascial release table; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the myofascial release table; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the myofascial release table, taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a section view of the myofascial release table, taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed section of  5 - 5  showing upper detail of large roller ( 14 ); 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed section of  5 - 5  showing upper rail ( 12 ) detail; 
         FIG. 8  is a section showing a user ( 38 ) sitting on the rollers ( 16 ); and 
         FIG. 9  is a section showing a user ( 38 ) lying on the rollers ( 16 ) using the hand rail ( 20 ) to move the body front to back. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide an improved apparatus and method for a myofascial release therapy that allows for use by any size person, with any strength or flexibility level. The rollers in the table and the handles on the table side allow a user to position themselves easily on the rollers. The user has full control and does not have to have a high level of flexibility or coordination to be successful. The physical difficulties are removed. 
     As seen in reference to the drawings of  FIGS. 1-7 , a myofascial release table  10  according to aspects of the present invention is shown. The myofascial release table includes an arcuate base support  12 , having a left and a right support member. The base support  12  may include arcuate legs defined at a first end and a second end thereof. A linear intermediate portion is defined between the arcuate legs of the base support  12 . 
     A plurality of first rollers  16  are rotationally disposed in a spaced apart relation between the left and the right support member. The plurality of first rollers may begin at an upper end of the arcuate legs and extend along the intermediate portion. 
     At least one second roller  14  is rotationally disposed between the left and the right support member and is interposed between the plurality of first rollers  16  along the intermediate portion of the base support. The at least one second roller  14 , or myofascial roller, will have a diameter that is substantially larger than that of the plurality of first rollers  16 . Preferably an axis of the second roller  14  is linearly aligned with that of the plurality of first rollers  16 . The plurality of first rollers  16  and the at least one second roller define a rolling surface. 
     An upright handrail  20  extends along a longitudinal length of the base support  12  and is elevated with respect to the rolling surface. The upright handrail  20  extends along a length of the rolling surface. The upright handrail  20  may include n upper hand rail and a lower hand rail that substantially parallel to the upper hand rail. A plurality of hand grips  22  may extend between the upper hand rail and the lower hand rail. The plurality of hand grips  22  may be oriented substantially orthogonal to the upper hand rail and the lower hand rail. 
     A lateral hand rail  18  may extend laterally from the myofascial release table  10  so that it is aligned with the plurality of first rollers. As with the upright handrail  20 , the lateral hand rail  18  may include one or more hand grips. 
     The rolling surface has a length to support a majority of a user&#39;s body in a supine position on the rolling surface. The at least one second roller  14  is positioned so that it will be in contact along a spinal area of a user&#39;s body when they are in a supine position on the rolling surface. The base support  12  and arcuate legs are dimensioned so as to position a horizontal component of the rolling surface at a seating height of the user. 
     The plurality of first rollers  16  are carried on a shaft and preferably have bearings to facilitate rotation of the rollers. The at least one second roller  14  is carried on a roller shaft  26  and is supported for rotation via a bearing  24 . The at least one second roller  14 , may be formed with an interior padding with an exterior cover  30  surrounding the padding. 
     A method of using the myofascial release table for myofascial release therapy may be seen in reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The user  28  may sit upon the rolling surface at a first end of the support table  10 . The upright handrail  20  may be utilized for maintaining stability on the table  10 . The support table  10  may be vertically adjustable such that the user&#39;s feet may contact the ground when sitting upon the rolling surface. 
     The user  28  may then lay back to assume a supine position on the rolling surface so that the at least one second roller  14  is positioned subjacent to the user&#39;s spine. The user  28  may then selectively repositioning themselves longitudinally along the rolling surface to work the at least one second roller  14  against a targeted muscle group of the user  28 . If the user  28  wants to target a subsequent targeted muscle group, the user would reposition on the rolling surface with one of the upright hand rail  20  or the lateral hand rail  18 . As will be appreciated from the present disclosure, the myofascial release table  10  provides the user  28  the ability to engage in myofascial release therapy without the need to assume any unusual positions requiring flexibility or significant coordination. The myofascial release table  10  may also be utilized by a therapist to assist a user  28  with like results. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.