Abstract:
A spinal therapy device comprising an elastomeric sleeve having an opening at each end, a pair of spherical objects held together within said sleeve, means to substantially close one end of the sleeve and means to releasably close the other end of the sleeve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The invention relates to a device used for the purpose of muscular and spinal therapy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Placing pressure on both the right and left of the spine, while relaxed and without pressure directly on the spine itself has been known to give relief to patients with certain back problems. However, applying pressure in this manner has only been achieved by another person pressing on the patient&#39;s back while the patient lies face down, or by placing spherical objects, which are fixedly held together, under the patient while the patient is lying face up. When the patient relaxes, the spherical objects apply pressure to the right and left of the spine, using the patient&#39;s body weight. Recently, two spherical objects held together have also been used directly on the spine, as the spherical objects were placed parallel to the spine, stretching the front of the spine and its ligaments. 
         [0003]    In the case of the spherical objects, it has been known to use tape or glue or even old socks to hold the spherical objects so that they do not move away from their desired position. Glues and tapes create a very sticky mess and the spherical objects becomes very dirty, picking up lint or dirt from the carpet or floor due to the adhesive. Wrapping the spherical objects in a sock and knotting the end or binding the open end with a string or tape, resulted in the sock stretching and the sock had to be torn off to readjust or rewrap the spherical objects with another sock. Often it was necessary to throw the dirty, taped spherical objects away, due to their negative appearance to patients. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    It is therefore the object of this invention to create a device comprising two spheres, held together, without the negative results of the prior art. 
         [0005]    The invention comprises two spheres held in a sleeve made of an elastomeric material which holds the spherical objects together in the proper position, yet is comfortable to the touch and firm enough for a patient to lie upon. The spherical objects are removable, and the outer sleeve washable. No glues, adhesives, knots of material, or zippers to catch a patient&#39;s hair, when using it in the neck area, are needed. The sleeve utilizes a plastic “cinch lock” attached to a nylon cord that is run through the hem at one end of the sleeve, to allow the opening of the end of the sleeve for removal of the spherical objects. At the other end of the sleeve, the elastic material is tapered to a smaller diameter and a non-stretch stitch is sewn in, to stop the spherical objects from exiting that end of the sleeve. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a back view; and, 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]    Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a sleeve  10  inside of which is held two spherical objects, or balls,  12  and  14 . One end of sleeve  10  has a cinch lock  16  comprising a cord  18  and a locking device  20 . Cord  18  passes through hem  22  at one end of sleeve  10 . When cinch lock  16  is tightened sufficiently, spheres  12  and  14  are held tightly in sleeve  10 . When cinch lock  16  is released, spheres  12  and  14  can be removed from sleeve  10 . 
         [0011]    At the other end, sleeve  10  is tapered to a smaller diameter  24  by use of a non-stretch stitch  26  to sufficiently hold spheres  12  and  14  from exiting that end of sleeve  10 . Stitch  28  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) closes sleeve  10 , in the vertical direction. 
         [0012]    Placing the spinal therapy unit of this invention along the spine while lying down on a flat horizontal surface, face up, with one spherical object  12  to the right and the other spherical object  14  to the left of the spine, encased by the sleeve  10 , the spherical objects  12  and  14  create a lift from the flat horizontal surface, at the point of contact with the back, while not placing pressure directly on the spine, due to the area void of mass created by the curvature of spherical objects  12  and  14 . This lift area allows the spine to bend and stretch the front of the spine, due to the arc created by spherical objects  12  and  14 , enclosed by sleeve  10 . 
         [0013]    When the tendons and muscles are shortened by excess stress or repetitive misuse, they compress the spine and place undue pressure on the discs (pliable “spacers” that the body lubricates with fluid that allows the spine to bend and twist comfortably). Compression causes the discs to swell due to irritation created by the pressure, and adds to the problem of pressure created by the shortened muscles and tendons. This often creates a chronic spinal problem, as the swollen body parts apply pressure on the nervous system, also part of the spine, resulting in pain and discomfort. 
         [0014]    The stretching of these tendons and muscles is optimally done by the spinal therapy unit of this invention. Simultaneously applying pressure on the muscle tissue along the right and the left of the spine, the spinal therapy unit also massages the muscles comfortably, yet firmly, as the patient can “roll” back and forth over the surface of the unit, which increases blood flow and reduces fatigue in the area. Lactic acid (a waste product of the muscle after exertion, that causes contraction and restricts oxygen and blood flow) is able to be released from the muscles, due to the massaging effect, which increases blood flow. Continued use of the spinal therapy unit, optionally combined with other medical and physical therapy, has proved to reduce, and in some instances relieve, all discomfort. It is important that the spheres are kept adjacent to one another, and are soft enough to be comfortable, yet firm enough to lift the spine and create the desired curvature from the horizontal position. 
         [0015]    Other positions may be used that will give the spinal therapy unit even more benefits. Placing the spinal therapy unit along the spine, and actually lying directly on it face up, places pressure directly on the spine, and when the correct size is used, it presses and positions the spine in a position to stretch two vertebrae at a time. This is a more advanced position. 
         [0016]    The massage position can also be achieved by standing up with the spinal therapy unit placed against a wall, with one spherical object to the right and the other spherical object to the left of the spine, encased by the sleeve. Gentle lifting of the body with knees slightly bent applies pressure on the unit and concurrently massages the muscles to the right and left of the spine. 
         [0017]    Sleeve  10  is preferably a cylinder of neoprene, although it can be made of other elastomeric fabric. It is designed to be compact, washable, and have an appealing look and feel. At one end, cord  18 , preferably made of nylon, is passed through hem  22  and when tightened and secured by a cord lock  20 , holds the two spheres  12  and  14  together, yet, by releasing cord lock  20 , allows the removal or insertion of the spheres for replacement or cleaning of sleeve  10  and/or spheres  12  and  14 , or the replacement of the two spheres with spheres of a different size. 
         [0018]    At the opposing end, sleeve  10  is tapered to a smaller diameter and sewn with a non-stretch stitch  26 . This allows minimal flexibility and prevents the spherical objects from exiting at that end. All other stitching is of a stretch nature and moves with the elastomeric fabric. When the spinal therapy unit is complete, with the correct size spherical objects in place, the tapered end is not apparent and looks very neat, matching the opposite side when the nylon cord is cinched down and the cord lock is secured. 
         [0019]    Neoprene is the preferred material for the sleeve, because it has the proper elastomeric properties and is easy to clean. It may be from about ½ mm thick to about 5 mm thick. The spherical balls are preferably made of semi-hard rubber so that they have some flexibility but still maintain their shape, in order to press on the sides of the spine for proper massage. The stiffness of the spheres may vary depending on what works best for the patient. The spheres may be tennis balls or wooden spheres, although something in-between in hardness is usually preferable, such as rubber or a polymer. The spheres may vary in size from about 1 inch in diameter up to about 16 inches in diameter, depending upon the needs of the patient.