Patent ID: 7179237

Claim:
A device for preventing or relieving pain in the lower back of a human subject while the subject lies in a supine position on an underlying surface, the device comprising: (a) a body-engaging element configured for engaging the two legs of the subject inferior to the subject's lumbar vertebrae while the subject lies in a supine position on the underlying surface; and (b) a drive mechanism mechanically linked to said body-engaging element, said drive mechanism being configured to move said body-engaging element through a repetitive cyclic motion including: (a) an operative motion along a first path in a direction parallel to the subject's legs operative to move both legs of the subject engaged by said body-engaging element together through said first path parallel to the subject's legs to apply tension to the lower back of the subject, and (b) a return motion along a second path, said second path being different from, and lying generally below, said first path.