Rehabilitation apparatus for lumbosacral spine

Abstract

A dynamic, sitting apparatus for strengthening muscles of the lumbosacral spine and abdomen, which also provides a comfortable sitting environment. The device consists of two oppositely facing, sitting platforms that are separated by a pivoting member secured to the undersurfaces of both platforms. The points of attachments of the pivoting member are at the off-center and at the on-center positions, with respect to each platform's own geometrical centers. This allows for comfortable variability of sitting tilting angles for individuals with differing lumbosacral anatomies and pathologies. The outer surfaces of each platform depict indicia showing the locations of each of the platform's center points of pivoting and rotation.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 619,535, filed on Oct. 18, 2004.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX [0003] Not Applicable BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] This present invention relates to rehabilitation and exercise equipment. More specifically, it provides a dynamic sitting environment for strengthening core musculature of the lumbosacral spine and abdomen, as well as allows more comfortable and ergonomic sitting. [0005] Most adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetime. The symptoms of back pain tend to be recurrent in nature and if progress, can cause significant disability. Numerous studies have shown that weak lumbar and abdominal muscles can predispose or perpetuate the recurrence of low back pain. Sedentary lifestyle has been found as one of the risk factors leading to deconditioning of lo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] The primary object of this invention is to transform any surface, sitting or non-sitting, hard or soft, into a highly dynamic and mobile sitting environment.

Problems solved by technology

The symptoms of back pain tend to be recurrent in nature and if progress, can cause significant disability.

Sedentary lifestyle has been found as one of the risk factors leading to deconditioning of low back musculature and to developing chronic low back pain.

Unfortunately, the regular use of an inflatable exercise ball, in a number of settings (i.e. work), is precluded by its size, lack of portability, as well as by inability in being able to adjust the ball's height.

However, they are stand alone constructs, are not portable and can not be used to convert another sifting surface into a dynamic one.

Unfortunately, this construct does not allow any swivel or tilting in the vertical plane and only provides movement in the horizontal plane.

However, it would not be possible to use this device on top of soft sitting surfaces since it would simply sink in thus disallowing any ability to swivel.

Unfortunately, this device does not provide an off-center positioned fulcrum as current invention provides, thus allowing greater degree of comfort for individuals with pelvic obliquity.

Likewise, a relatively heavy user might affect the proper functioning of a coil based sitting apparatus by unduly compressing the coils themselves.

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