Abstract:
Self massage devices are provided. A representative self massage device includes a base, at least one massage member fixed to the base and extending therefrom, and a mounting member fixed to the base and extending therefrom opposing the massage member. Methods of effectuating self massage and other devices are also provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, “Wall Mounted Self Massage Device,” having Ser. No. 60/275,340, filed Mar. 13, 2001, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention generally relates to massage devices and, in particular, to mounted devices for self massage and methods for use thereof.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Massage involves tissue manipulation by rubbing, kneading or tapping a muscle or muscle groups with one&#39;s hand or with the use of a therapeutic device. There are various types of known tissue massage. Neuromuscular massage effects nerves and is generally achieved by pinpointing a single location on the body, such as with certain portions of the hand or with massage devices having a knob for massage contact points. Similarly, massage of superficial large areas, generally achieved by manipulation of large areas of superficial tissue, results in creating a general overall relaxation and can be achieved by manipulation with hands or with a device having spheroid roller and/or balls for massage contact points. Known self massage devices typically facilitate these types of general relaxation massages and require the user to engage their own muscles in the vicinity of the muscles being manipulated, therefore at least partially defeating the intended purpose. It is also known, however, that other types of massage are beneficial, such as deep skeletal muscle fasciculi endomysium, involving isolation of parallel portions of muscle tissue.  
           [0006]    Receiving a massage typically requires the assistance of another person, such as that of a masseur. In such situations, it is the assistant who uses their hands or a therapeutic device to manipulate muscle tissue for the recipient. Not only does this approach to massage require the recipient to employ the assistance of another, but the strength with which and the amount of time for which a massage can be administered is limited by the strength and stamina of the individual performing the muscle manipulation.  
           [0007]    Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned and/or other deficiencies and inadequacies.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention provides devices and methods for performing self massage.  
           [0009]    Briefly described, one embodiment of such a system, among others, is a self massage device comprising a base having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least one massage member fixed to the top surface of the base and extending therefrom. The device further comprises a mounting member fixed to the bottom surface of the base and extends therefrom.  
           [0010]    The present invention can also be viewed as providing methods for effectuating self massage. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: orienting a self massage device to accommodate muscles desired to be massaged; mounting the self massage device; leaning against the self massage device; applying pressure at a desired massage point; and moving against the self massage device to massage the muscles.  
           [0011]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounted self massage device illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mounted self massage device illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a method of use of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5A is a top planar view of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention oriented in a first position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5B is a top planar view of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention oriented in a second position.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5C is a top planar view of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention oriented in a third position FIG. 5D is a top planar view of an embodiment of the mounted self massage device of the present invention oriented in a fourth position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0020]    The present invention generally provides a device and method for administering self massage. As will be described in greater detail herein, an embodiment of the self massage device of the present invention is a device mountable on a variety of surfaces and adapted to provide members arranged and configured to with which one can perform self muscle manipulation.  
         [0021]    Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. A first embodiment of the self massage device  10  is illustrated in FIG. 1. Overall, the self massage device  10  is of small size, lightweight, and is readily mountable and portable. The self massage device  10  comprises a base  12 , at least one massage member  14  and at least one mounting member  16 . As illustrated, the base  12  is substantially planar and kidney-shaped. The base  12  can, however, comprise any shape capable of supporting massage member  14  when in use. The base  12  can comprise a substantially rigid material such as plastic, hard rubber, etc. The self massage device  10  comprises at least one massage member  14 , but preferably a pair of massage members  14  extending from base  12 . Massage member  14  can be disposed toward on edge of the base  12  or toward an interior portion.  
         [0022]    Each massage member  14  comprises a substantially ellipsoid arc with a relatively narrow width along the length of the top profile enabling the massage member  14  to capture deep myofibril length and isolate parallel portions of tissue with which the member  14  is engaged. This type of deep tissue muscle manipulation allows the user to effectively separate dysfunctional binding of fascia until myofibrils can lengthen and slide efficiently. As shown, the massage member  14  can be formed of a member having a circular cross-section (as illustrated in FIG. 1), resulting in a void space in the middle of the member  14 , or as a substantially planar solid member (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3). A massage member  14  having a substantially circular cross-section can also be used as a handle to carry the device  10  when it is not in use and as a handle to remove the device  10  from a mounted position. A substantially circular cross-sectional massage member  14  also adds less weight to the overall weight of the device  10 , as compared to a solid massage member  14 . In the alternative, massage member  14  can also comprise a substantially solid ellipsoid arc. As substantially elliptical arc configuration can comprise a substantially linear width from the member&#39;s  14  upper portion to the lower portion meeting the base  12 , resulting in a substantially kidney-shaped cross-section at the intersection of massage member  14  and base  12 . An elliptical arc configuration can also be substantially tapered from the upper portion of the massage member  14  to the lower portion meeting the base  12 , resulting in a substantially elliptical cross-section at the intersection of massage member  14  and base  12 . Although the edge of the substantially solid massage members  14  are illustrated as being at least slightly inset on the base  12  from the edge of the base  12 , it should be understood that the edge of the massage member  14  can also be flush with the edge of the base  12  or extending therebeyond. The massage member  14  comprises a substantially rigid material, such as plastic, hard rubber, or the like. The massage members  14  are disposed on the top surface  11  of the base  12  in a substantially perpendicular manner with respect to the base  12  and oriented on the base  12  such that a longitudinal axis running through each of the massage members  14  are in a substantially V-shaped configuration to each other with a space therebetween at the apex of the “V.” It should be understood, however, that the massage members  14  can be arranged in a variety of configurations with respect to each other, such as substantially parallel, having a substantially acute angle therebetween, or any configuration capable of facilitating the desired massage. The massage members  14  can also be pivotally mounted to the base  12 . In this configuration the massage members  14  can be disposed in various configurations without moving the base  12 . A self massage device  10  comprising pivotally connected massage members  14  also provides capability for the massage members  14  to be arranged and configured in a greater range of configurations than massage member  14  fixedly mounted to the base  12 .  
         [0023]    The self massage device  10  comprises at least one mounting member  16 . The mounting member  16  preferably facilitates quick and easy mounting and removal of the device  10 . In one embodiment, the mounting member  16  can comprise at least one, but preferably a plurality of suction cups  18  (as illustrated in FIG. 1). The suction cups  18  facilitate mounting the self massage device  10  on a substantially planar, non-porous surface, including but not limited to, substantially vertical surfaces, substantially horizontal surfaces, and curved surfaces (such as, for example, the curved inner surface of a hot tub, or the like).  
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the mounting member  16  can comprise a strap  20  (as shown in FIG. 2). The strap  20  is fixed to the bottom surface  13  of the base  12  and is arranged and configured to releasably engage the back of a chair, the person to be massaged, or the like. The strap  20  can preferably engage objects, such as a chair, of various sizes by employing a fastening member  22  such as a clasp  21 , hook and loop fastening system (not shown), or by comprising a substantially elastic continuous member (not shown).  
         [0025]    In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the mounting member  16  comprises a track  22  having at least one, but preferably a plurality of track apertures  24  disposed therethrough and a pin  26 . The track  22  comprises a surface mount  28  for mounting the track  22  to any surface capable of engaging the surface mount  28 . FIG. 3 illustrates the surface mount  28  as a screw disposed through an aperture in the track  22 . It should be noted, however, that the surface mount  28  can comprise any suitable mechanism. Where this configuration of the mounting member  16  is employed, the base  12  of the self massage device  10  includes a mounting aperture  27  disposed therethrough and being capable of receiving a fixing member, such as a pin  26 . The pin  26  can be disposed through the mounting aperture  27  disposed though the base  12  of the device  10  and through a track aperture  24  on which the device  10  is to be mounted. In this configuration, the self massage device  10  can be adjusted to the appropriate position along the track  22  by removing the pin  26 , placing the self massage device  10  in the desired location, aligning the mounting aperture  27  in the base  12  with the appropriate track aperture  24 . The device  10  is fixed into position by engaging the pin  26  through both the mounting aperture  27  and the track aperture  24 .  
         [0026]    OPERATION  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 4 provides a general illustration of the self massage device  10  in use. The self massage device  10  can be mounted on a mount surface  30  such as a wall, door, or the like, by the mounting member  16  such that the massage member  14  extends away from the mount surface  30 . Prior to mounting the self massage device  10 , the device  10  should be oriented in the appropriate manner, addressed in more detail below, and positioned at the appropriate height along the mount surface  30  in order to effectuate the type of massage on the muscle group(s) desired. After positioning the device  10 , the recipient, or user,  32  leans against the massage members  14  of the self massage device  10  and moves along the massage members  14  in a steady controlled manner.  
         [0028]    The mounting position for the self massage device  10  is a function of the muscle group(s) the user desires to massage. It is generally desirable that the self massage device  10  is oriented such that the apex of the V-shape orientation of the massage members  14  is pointing directly downward, directly upward, or rotated substantially 45 degrees to the side, thereby orienting the massage members  14  in an L-shape. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the self massage device  10  is oriented in a first position such that the V-shape relationship of the longitudinal axis of the massage members  14  is arranged with the apex of the “V” pointing downward. In this first position, a user can engage both massage members  14  to effectuate cross-fiber massage techniques on at least the following muscle groups: splenius capitis; serratus posterior inferior; lower trapezius; lattissimus dorsi; rotator cuff infraspinatus; rotator cuff teres minor.  
         [0029]    As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the self massage device  10  is oriented in a second position such that the apex of the V-shape relationship formed by the longitudinal axis of the massage members  14  is pointing upward. In this second position orientation, both massage members  14  of the self massage device  10  can be engaged by the user to massage at least the following muscle groups: quadratus lumborum; multifidus; iliocostalis cervicis; serratis posterior superios; upper trapezius; levator scapula; rhomboid major; rhomboid minor; posterior deltoid; gluteus maximus; gluteus medius; gluteus minimus.  
         [0030]    As illustrated in FIG. 5C, the self massage device  10  is oriented in a third position such that one massage member  14  is substantially vertical and the opposing massage member  14  is arranged in a substantially horizontal position. In this third position orientation, the user can engage the substantially horizontal oriented massage member  14  to effectuate cross-fiber massage techniques on at least the following muscle groups: middle trapezius; periformis.  
         [0031]    Similarly, and as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the self massage device  10  is oriented in a fourth position such that one massage member  14  is disposed in a substantially horizontal position and the opposing massage member  14  is oriented in a substantially vertical position. In this fourth position orientation, the user can engage the substantially vertically oriented massage member  14  to massage at least the following muscle groups: splenius cervicis; semispinalis capitis, cervicis, thoracis; longissimus capitis, cervicis, thoracis; iliocostalis thoracis, lumborum; lateral deltoid; rotator cuff supraspinatus; tensor fasciae latae.  
         [0032]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.