Apparatus and method for exercising and monitoring the performance of the upper flexor muscles of the neck

Abstract

An apparatus that preferably takes the form of a collar for exercising or assessing the upper cervical flexor muscles to assist with headaches. The apparatus includes a resiliently compressible cushion that fits under the mandible of the user but not extending as far as the chin. The user bends their head against the cushion to achieve an elevated pressure and preferably maintains the pressure for a period of time. The absence of sensory feedback of pressure against the chin inhibits the drive to use muscles ofther than the upper cervical flexor muscles. The cushion may be an inflatable bladder so that the pressure against which the head works can be varied. The cushion preferably includes pressure measuring means to measure changes in pressure within the cushion to monitor the performance of the upper cervical flexor muscles.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for exercising and monitoring the performance of the upper flexor muscles of the neck.[0002] The upper cervical flexor group of muscles, comprising the longus colli and captis and rectus captis anterior and lateralis, are postural muscles located in the neck that have a predominantly stabilising role and provide a holding mechanism to maintain balance and stability for the head. The upper cervical flexors (UCFs) work to maintain the head in a posture whereby the chin is tucked in as opposed to a posture in which the head is positioned forward (known as forward head posture or poking chin posture).[0003] There is a growing body of clinical evidence to suggest that in many cervicogenic (neck) headache sufferers, the UCFs have poor endurance and are unable to maintain a non forward head posture. In particular, a group of headache sufferers has been found to be statistically different to a control group of non-headache suff...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for exercising the UCFs that obviates or reduces any one of the aforementioned difficulties, or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

[0018] Preferably the cushion provides a snug fit under the mandible of the user so that the degree through which the head is rotated downward without resistance from the chamber is minimised. Positioning of the cushion underneath the mandible and rearward of the chin leads to the cushion being positioned as close as possible to the axis of rotation of the head during head flexions, which is just below the ears. This positioning may be effective in exercising the UCFs to the exclusion of other neck muscles. Similarly this, in the standing position, assists with having a plane of the face in an upright plane, for commencement of exercising, or monitoring.

[0023] When in use the apparatus preferably allows for a monitoring of the flattening or straightening of the normal cervical lordosis. To this end, the apparatus may also include a separately inflatable rear chamber which is positioned adjacent the back of the neck and occupies the natural curvature of the neck when inflated. The rear chamber is preferably attached to a rear pressure monitoring means to monitor changes in pressure as the head flexion exercise is performed. Thus when the exercise is performed correctly an increase in pressure in the forward mandible chamber will be concomitant with an increase in pressure of the rear chamber as the curvature is flattened against it. It may be that change in contact pressure of the back of the neck against the rear chamber may be sufficient to give tactile feedback to the user so that the rear pressure monitor means is not required.

[0033] the user bending their head forward on their neck to bear against and compress the cushion to thereby increase the pressure within the cushion,

Problems solved by technology

There is a growing body of clinical evidence to suggest that in many cervicogenic (neck) headache sufferers, the UCFs have poor endurance and are unable to maintain a non forward head posture.

This poor endurance is believed to be responsible at least in part for the symptomatic headaches suffered by these people.

In this case the equipment is specialised and required attendance at a practitioners premises and is not suitable for general unattended use.

None of the apparatuses available to date for monitoring upper cervical flexions and / or exercising the UCFs allow for a simple fitting and use of the apparatus such that the apparatus can be readily and easily used to perform and monitor cervical flexion without attendance by a trained professional.

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