Abstract:
An apparatus and method for applying occipital pressure and stretching the spinal column of an individual having a body and a pair of projections extending from the body such that the projections are positionable against the occiput of the individual. The apparatus further includes a head connector attached to the body and positionable about the head of the individual so as to secure the body to the individual&#39;s head with the projections positioned against the occiput of the individual. A support member is attached to the body and is connectable to a support structure to permit the body to be suspended from the support structure and support at least a portion of the weight of the individual to place the spinal column of the individual in tension.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/669,997, filed Apr. 11, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A common cause of tension-type headaches is muscle contraction in the head, neck, or shoulders. Lengthy or extreme muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders may cause distortion in the alignment of cranial bones, leading to reduced flow of necessary cranial fluid to the area. Lack of cranial fluid tends to cause further discomfort in the head and neck. Relief from this type of discomfort may be obtained through stretching the neck muscles to reduce contractions, and through the application of pressure to the occipital region at the base of the skull. Application of pressure to the occiput send messages down the spinal column to relax all the muscles. Previous devices have been suggested for applying occipital pressure, and additional methods and devices have been suggested for applying tension to stretch the neck and back. However, it is desirable to apply tension to stretch the neck and back, while applying pressure to the occiput simultaneously. It is also desirable for this to be achievable outside of a hospital or clinic, and without requiring the assistance of a therapist or other individual.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for relieving discomfort in the head, neck, or back. This is done through application of cranial occipital pressure and by stretching the spinal column. Cranial occipital pressure may be applied by first positioning the apparatus so that adjustable projections in the apparatus engage the occiput, and then applying pressure to the occiput. Occipital pressure may be applied in conjunction with stretching the spinal column, or occipital pressure may be applied independently. For occipital pressure application, the apparatus may be used in any number of positions including a horizontal position, such as on the ground or on a bed, and a vertical position, such as on a door. In a horizontal position, the pressure results from the weight of a user&#39;s head on the apparatus. In a vertical position, the pressure results from the weight of a user&#39;s body when suspended from the apparatus.  
         [0004]     For stretching the spinal column, the apparatus is typically used in the vertical position. The apparatus is secured to a point above a user and the user&#39;s head is positioned within the apparatus. The user then bends her knees. As the user lowers her lower body, her head remains at a fixed elevation, pressure is exerted on her occiput, and her spinal column is stretched and lengthened into a more comfortable position, stretching muscles and relieving spinal and neck compression. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention shown attached to an individual&#39;s head.  
         [0006]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Referring now to the drawings, shown therein is an apparatus  10  for applying cranial occipital pressure and stretching the spinal column of an individual  11 . The apparatus  10  has a body  12 , projections  14  supported by the body  12 , a support member  16  connected to the body  12  for suspending the body  12  from a support structure (not shown), and a head connector  18  for securing the body  12  and the projections  14  to the user&#39;s head. When secured to the user&#39;s head and supported from a support structure, the body  12  and the projections  14  cooperate to apply pressure to the base of the user&#39;s skull, while permitting the user to partially suspend herself from the apparatus  10  by bending her knees and thereby applying a tensile force to her spinal column.  
         [0009]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the body  12  is shown to be a generally oval or elliptical shaped member having a head opening  20  and a plurality of projection receiving holes  22 . The body  12  serves to connect the support member  16  to the head connector  18  and the projections  14 . The body  12  may be made of any rigid material such as plastic, wood, or metal.  
         [0010]     The head opening  20  is shaped such that the occiput of the individual rests on the projections  14  while the back of the user&#39;s head rests within the head opening  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the head opening  20  is generally keyhole shaped. However, the head opening  20  may be formed in any shape suitable for stabilizing the body  12  on the user&#39;s head.  
         [0011]     The projection receiving holes  22  are positioned near the bottom of the body  12  such that the projections  14  may engage the occiput of the user. The projection receiving holes  22  serve to hold the projections  14  in place while the apparatus  10  is in use. The projection receiving holes  22  are shown to be circular and sized to receive a portion of the projections  14 . However, the projection receiving holes  22  may be formed in any shape so long as they are mateable with the projections  14 . The projection receiving holes  22  allow the projections  14  to be positioned to accommodate various head and neck sizes, shapes, and positions.  
         [0012]     The body  12  has four sets of projection receiving holes  22  (eight holes total) to accommodate various neck widths. While multiple projection receiving holes  22  are shown, only two projection receiving holes  22  are required. In addition to the projection receiving holes  22 , customized placement of the projections  14  may be accomplished any number of ways, including but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, glue, hooks, or any other suitable connector. Additionally, the projections  14  may be fixedly attached to the body  12  or formed integrally with the body  12 .  
         [0013]     The projections  14  serve to apply pressure to the occiput or other desired pressure points on the user&#39;s head. A proximal end  23  of the projections  14  fits within one of the projection receiving holes  22 , and a distal end  24  of each of the projections  14  extends outwardly from the body  12 . The projections  14  are elongated, with the proximal  23  end shaped to be matingly received in the projection receiving holes  22 , and the distal end  24  is preferably rounded to comfortably engage the occiput. However, it should be understood that the projections  14  may be formed in a variety of shapes, such as globular, pyramidal, or cuboidal. The projections  14  are shown to be made of a metal, such as stainless steel. However, other rigid materials, such as plastic or wood are also suitable.  
         [0014]     The support member  16  serves to suspend the body  12  from a support structure (not shown). The support structure may be a door frame, a ceiling, a wall, or any other structure capable of supporting part of the user&#39;s weight. The support member  16  is a strap of material, such as nylon, wherein one end of the strap is secured to the body  12 , and the other end of the strap is provided with a knot  26  to permit the strap to be placed between a door and a door frame (not shown). The knot  26  acts as an anchor to prevent the strap from being pulled through the space between the door and the door frame when weight is applied. The support member  16  may alternatively be provided with a hook (not shown) which engages the top of a door.  
         [0015]     The head connector  18  serves to maintain the position of the user&#39;s head within the body  12 , allowing the projections  14  to maintain pressure on the desired locations of the user&#39;s head. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the head connector  18  is attached to the body  12  near the top of the head opening  20  such that a user&#39;s head may be secured about the forehead. The head connector  18  may be a strap of material, such as nylon, with free ends that may be adjustably secured about the user&#39;s forehead. The head connector  18  is threaded through connector holes  28  in the body  12 , wrapped back around the body  12  and secured around the user&#39;s head with a connector, such as hook and loop fasteners. While a single strap is shown, the head connector  18  may be any structure capable of securing the user&#39;s head to the body  12  of the apparatus  10 , such as multiple straps, a cap or a cord.  
         [0016]     Typically, the apparatus  10  is attached to a support structure before the user&#39;s head is secured to the apparatus  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, this is done by hanging the knotted end of the support member  16  over a door and closing the door. This may generally be done by a single user, without assistance.  
         [0017]     Once the apparatus  10  is attached to a support structure, the projections  14  are positioned in the projection receiving holes  22  that correspond closest to size of the width of the neck. The user&#39;s head is next secured to the apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user&#39;s head is placed in the head opening  20  of the body  12  with the occiput resting on the projections  14 . The head connector  18  is then secured around the head of the user. It will be appreciated that one might also secured the body  12  to the user&#39;s head with the head connector  18  prior to suspending the body  12  from a support structure.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows that when the user&#39;s head is secured to the apparatus  10 , the head connector  18  works in conjunction with the projections  14  to substantially immobilize the head. The projections  14  rest against the occiput, preventing downward movement of the user&#39;s head, and allowing the neck muscles to stretch. The head connector  18  keeps the upper portion of the user&#39;s head in place, preventing the user&#39;s head from slipping out of the apparatus  10 , and keeping the user&#39;s occiput against the projections  14 . A portion of the back of the user&#39;s head rests on the body  12  of the apparatus  10 , and another portion of the back of the user&#39;s head may rest within the head opening  20 .  
         [0019]     Once the apparatus  10  is supported by the support structure, the projections  14  are in place, and the user&#39;s head is secured to the body  12 , the user slowly bends her knees. Because the user&#39;s head is at a fixed elevation, some of the support for the user&#39;s weight slowly shifts from her feet to her head. As this happens, the forces on the user&#39;s head, back, and neck switch from compressive to tensile. This allows the user&#39;s spinal column to be stretched, thereby relieving pressure caused by the compressive effect of gravity. Additionally, pressure is applied to the user&#39;s occiput, to cause an overall relaxation of the user&#39;s muscles. The user may bend her knees until an equalization point is found. The user may actively determine the most comfortable position by adjusting the bend in her knees.  
         [0020]     From the above description, it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein, as well as those inherent in the invention. While a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims.