Antigravity Spinal Exerciser

Abstract

The invention provides an exerciser for use in activating deep posture and antigravity muscles in the body. The exerciser (1) comprises a headpiece (2) having at least: a first member (6) which fits around the head of a wearer in a transverse plane above the ears when the headpiece is in situ; and, a second member (7), the ends of which are fixed to the first member and which crosses the head of the wearer (5) at about the coronal plane thereof when the headpiece is in situ. The exerciser further comprises at least one flexible strap (3) on each side of the headpiece which is attached at or near the end of the second member and has at least one portion within its length that is elastic; and, an adaptation (4) at the free end of each the flexible straps to permit extension of the strap by a limb of the wearer (5). Each strap of the exerciser has a length and elasticity which allow a smooth, low velocity movement by the wearer (5) at least involving axial movement of the limb away from the head. The invention also provides methods of using the exerciser.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The invention described herein relates generally to muscle condition and posture. In particular, the invention is directed to an exerciser for use in activating deep posture and anti-gravity muscles in the body, although the scope of the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.BACKGROUND ART[0002]Weightbearing exercise by itself is insufficient for healthy muscles and bones. Good posture during weight-bearing exercise is essential to activate the deep posture and antigravity muscles and to protect the joints of the body from injury. To counteract the effects of gravity during weightbearing exercise or weightbearing function, good posture and postural cues need to be in operation to activate deep posture and antigravity muscles.[0003]The most important postural cues are: stretching tall (through the crown of the head) with the object of lengthening the spine while lowering the shoulders and shoulder blade; and, drawing in the naval towards the spine without ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]wherein, each said strap has a length and elasticity which allow a smooth, low velocity movement by said wearer at least involving axial movement of said limb away from the head.

[0023]At a minimum, the headpiece comprises the two members described above. While these members must be flexible so that the headpiece can be worn by a wearer of the exerciser, they must be relatively inextensible so that the headpiece remains in the correct position during use of the exerciser and so that force is transmitted as desired to the crown of the head. The components of the headpiece can be sized to suit the head of a user of the exerciser. Alternatively, members can be length-adjustable so that a headpiece comprising members of particular lengths can be used with heads of different dimensions. The first member of the headpiece can advantageously have length-adjustment devices at both the front and / or rear of the headpiece. This allows the size of the headpiece to be adjusted without the second member moving from the coronal plane position when the headpiece is in situ. In instances where it is desirable to have only one length-adjustment device in the first member, the position at which one of the ends of the second member is attached to the first member must also be adjustable.

[0026]In a preferred form of the exerciser, the elasticity of each strap can be varied. This can be achieved by including in the strap a coil spring which has a variable spring constant. The variable elasticity of a strap can also be achieved by varying the number of coil springs in a strap when the strap comprises a plurality of coil springs. A strap that comprises a plurality of strips of elastic material can be utilized to adjust the resistance against stretching by increasing or reducing the number of individual strips of elastic material.

Problems solved by technology

Weightbearing exercise by itself is insufficient for healthy muscles and bones.

It is not always easy to intentionally induce these cues.

However, there is no widely available technique or exerciser that meets this need.

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