How to release contracted tissue

Abstract

A method for releasing contracted tissue in a subject includes identifying an area of ​​skin on the subject where contracted tissue resides and applying pressure to a first point on the skin with a tip of a massage instrument. The first point is located on a fiber of the contracted tissue. The tip of the massage instrument has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of less than 1 millimeter and a length of less than 6 millimeters. The applied pressure releases a portion of the contracted tissue beneath the skin.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the treatment of contracted tissue, and more particularly to releasing contracted tissue by the application of pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] As the body ages, tissues such as connective tissue contract and thicken. Contracted and stiffened connective tissue can impede mobility, cause inflammation, reduce blood flow to other tissues around the joints and bones, and cause or contribute to several other syndromes commonly associated with age, such as osteoarthritis, joint, shoulder, and hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, bunions, gum recession, and possibly male pattern baldness (by restricting blood flow to the scalp).

[0003] Some techniques, such as stretching, foam rolling, and active release therapy, can reduce some of the effects of contracted tissue but do not reverse these conditions. Surgery has been successful in releasing connective tissue, but surgery is associated with high costs, long recovery periods, and risk of complications. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for releasing contracted tissue in a subject includes identifying an area of ​​skin on the subject where contracted tissue resides and applying pressure to a first point on the skin with a tip of a massage instrument. The first point is located on a fiber of the contracted tissue. The tip of the massage instrument has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of less than 1 millimeter and a length of less than 6 millimeters. The applied pressure releases a portion of the contracted tissue beneath the skin. Alternatively, or in addition, the method further includes applying pressure with the tip of the instrument to a second point on the skin area, the second point being located along a fiber of the contracted tissue.

[0005] The contracted tissue comprises tissue selected from the group consisting of connective tissue, muscle tissue, and combinations thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the contracted tissue is fibrous connective tissue. Pressure is applied to a first point on the skin area for a duration selected from the group consisting of greater than 5 seconds, greater than 10 seconds, and at least 1 minute. Pressure is applied to a second point on the skin area for a duration selected from the group consisting of greater than 5 seconds, greater than 10 seconds, and at least 1 minute.

[0006] Alternatively or additionally, the step of applying a force further includes applying pressure to the first point on the skin area with a tip of the instrument having a fabric layer disposed thereon. The fabric layer may include a fabric selected from the group consisting of a microfiber fabric and a paper towel. Alternatively or additionally, the fabric layer is folded.

[0007] The tip of the instrument has a longitudinal axis, and an angle between the longitudinal axis and the area of ​​skin at a first point during application of pressure to the first point is selected from the group consisting of approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, and approximately 90 degrees, and an angle between the longitudinal axis and the area of ​​skin at a second point during application of pressure to the second point is selected from the group consisting of approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, and approximately 90 degrees.

[0008] According to related embodiments, the distance between the first point and the second point along the fibers of the contracted tissue is a distance selected from the group consisting of less than 5 millimeters and less than 1 centimeter.

[0009] The skin area may be located over contracted tissue that is adhered to a bone. Alternatively, or in addition, the skin area may be located over contracted tissue that is adhered to a joint. Further alternatively, or in addition, the contracted tissue may be part of a tendon. Releasing the part of contracted tissue may include breaking chemical bonds in the tissue.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, identifying the skin region includes identifying a hardness beneath the skin region. The pressure applied to the first point is as high as can be tolerated by the subject. According to some embodiments, the diameter of the tip is at least 0.3 millimeters. Alternatively, or in addition, the length of the tip is at least 3 millimeters. The instrument may have a body coupled to the tip, and the body may taper toward the tip.

[0011] According to related embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises providing the subject with caffeine for consumption prior to applying pressure. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes applying pressure while moving from the first point to the second point with the tip of the instrument. The pressure applied while moving from the first point to the second point may be variable.

[0012] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument used in a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a flowchart of a method for releasing contracted tissue, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of a method for releasing contracted tissue, according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless the context requires otherwise. "Releasing" tissue includes causing the release of chemical bonds within the tissue, stretching the tissue, disrupting the tissue, and any other method that allows the contracted tissue to expand and / or return to its original length.

[0015] The term "connective tissue" includes, but is not limited to, fibrous connective tissue, fascia, tendons, ligaments, bone, cartilage, connective tissue with collagen fibers, and connective tissue with elastic fibers, in accordance with its meaning known to those skilled in the art.

[0016] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a treatment method that involves applying strong pressure selectively to and along the length of tissue (including, but not limited to, connective tissue), particularly along the skull, hips, chest, shoulders, and legs, and generally where the tissue attaches to bone. The applied strong pressure releases the tissue, allowing it to return to its original length. The release has two primary effects. First, once the connective tissue is released, mobility is restored. The body becomes more efficient, and inflammation and pain subside. Second, blood can more easily reach the soft tissue surrounding the bones and joints.

[0017] Although the description and examples provided herein are primarily directed to connective tissue, it is expressly understood that the claimed methods are not limited to treating connective tissue. In addition to connective tissue, contracted tissue may include, for example, muscle tissue or a combination of muscle tissue and connective tissue.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an instrument used in a treatment method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The treatment instrument 100 includes a tip 102 and a body 104. The body 104 may have a cylindrical shape or may be cubic, such as a rectangular parallelepiped. However, it is expressly contemplated that the body may have any other prismatic shape, such as a hexagonal prism. The body 104 and the tip 102 have a longitudinal axis 106. The combined length of the body 104 and the tip 102 along the longitudinal axis 106 may be between 10 centimeters and 15 centimeters. However, the combined length may also have any other length that may be practical for a particular treatment situation. The body 104 may be tapered toward the tip 102, or the body 104 may not be tapered.

[0019] The body 104 is coupled to the tip 102. The tip 102 may have a cylindrical shape or may be a rectangular parallelepiped. In either case, the end 108 of the tip 102 is flat and has a circular or rectangular shape, respectively. The tip 102 may have a length of at least 3 millimeters. The maximum length of the tip 102 may be 6 millimeters. The tip 102 may have a diameter and / or width of at least 0.3 millimeters. The maximum diameter and / or width of the tip 102 may be 1 millimeter. The small size of the tip 102 allows the instrument to apply high pressure to a small surface area of ​​the skin, thus allowing the pressure to better penetrate the contracted tissue, as opposed to instruments with larger tips. The tip 102 is fabricated from a suitable material, such as metal. The tip 102 may optionally be coated with rubber or plastic.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a treatment method 200 for releasing contracted tissue, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step 210, areas of a subject's skin where contracted tissue is present are identified. The subject may be a human subject, including, but not limited to, a patient or treatment client, or a non-human subject, such as a horse, dog, cat, or another animal. Identifying the areas of skin may include identifying stiffness beneath the areas of skin. This stiffness may indicate the presence of contracted tissue. This stiffness may appear at the top of the skull (commonly associated with male pattern baldness) and along the base of the skull where the skull meets the neck, or as stiffness along the bones of the forearm, around the tibia, on the surface of the shoulder plate, along the ribs, around the jaw, and around the hips. However, stiffness may also be present along any other contracted tissue in the body. Additionally, identifying the areas of skin may additionally or alternatively include any other procedure for identifying contracted tissue known to those skilled in the art. The contracted tissue includes connective tissue and / or muscle tissue. The contracted connective tissue may include fibrous connective tissue and may be part of a tendon, a ligament, and / or part of fascia. The contracted muscle tissue may correspond to a trigger point in a muscle. Additionally, the contracted connective tissue and / or muscle tissue may be adhered to another part of the subject's body, such as a bone or joint.

[0021] In step 220, pressure is applied to a first point on an area of ​​skin. The pressure is applied using a treatment instrument, such as treatment instrument 100 described in detail above. The pressure is applied by tip 102 of treatment instrument 100. The first point to which pressure is applied is located on a fiber of the contracted tissue.

[0022] Pressure may be applied by the tip of the device through a cloth placed on the tip of the device so as to be positioned between the tip and the area of ​​skin. The cloth may illustratively be a microfiber cloth or a paper towel, but any other cloth known to those skilled in the art may also be used. The cloth may also be folded once, twice, or more times depending on the subject's sensitivity. Therefore, the applied pressure can be varied depending on the type of cloth used and the frequency with which the cloth is folded.

[0023] The tip of the instrument is then firmly pressed (optionally through a piece of cloth) against the skin above the contracted tissue at a first point. The pressure applied to the first point may be as high as the subject can tolerate. Furthermore, the subject may be given caffeine to ingest before pressure is applied. Providing the subject with caffeine enhances the effectiveness of the treatment method. However, it is expressly contemplated that the method may be performed without the subject ingesting caffeine, or any other substance known to those skilled in the art that enhances the effectiveness of treatment may be used.

[0024] Pressure is applied to the first point for a certain duration. Advantageously, pressure is applied for at least 1 minute if the subject can tolerate it. Alternatively, pressure may be applied for a shorter duration, such as more than 5 seconds, more than 10 seconds, or more than 30 seconds. Pressure may be applied for an additional time in areas where connective tissue adheres to bones (including joints) and other points where there is thickness, especially if there is a feeling of release. If there is no feeling of release, no additional time should be spent. Treatment time is spent finding areas where there is a feeling of release.

[0025] Alternatively, the instrument 100 may be used as a probe along the surface of a bone by applying firm pressure to the skin, i.e., to the connective tissue that runs along the bone. Such connective tissue has a limited number of nerves, and most nerves within bone are found along with blood vessels. Therefore, firm pressure is only felt as pressure, without pain in the connective tissue or bone.

[0026] As described above, the tip 102 of the treatment instrument 100 has a longitudinal axis 106. Pressure may be applied to a first point such that the angle between the longitudinal axis 106 and the surface of the skin at the first point during application of pressure is approximately 90 degrees. Alternatively, the angle between the longitudinal axis and the skin may be less, such as approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, or approximately 60 degrees. It is also expressly contemplated that the angle between the tip 102 and the skin may be varied during application of pressure to the first point.

[0027] In step 230, the applied pressure causes a release of a portion of the contracted tissue beneath the area of ​​skin. Connective tissue is located around bones, particularly at nodes, such as the buttocks, the lower edges of the ribs on both sides, the solar plexus, where the base of the skull meets the neck, where the collarbone meets the shoulder, the wrists, ankles, the sides of the arms, and the elbows. These nodes have multiple fibrous connections to other nodes. To release the node, each of these connections must be released. Additionally, as the treated node is released, other connected nodes begin to release as well, creating a cascade effect. It is also emphasized that the applied pressure does not need to release the entire contracted tissue beneath the area of ​​skin. Releasing a portion of the contracted tissue is sufficient to achieve a beneficial effect.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a treatment method 300 for releasing contracted tissue, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In step 310, an area of ​​skin on a subject is identified, as described above with reference to step 210 of method 200. In step 320, pressure is applied to a first point on the area of ​​skin, as described above with reference to step 220 of method 200. In step 330, pressure is applied to a second point on the area of ​​skin. Like the first point, the second point is located along the fibers of the contracted tissue. Pressure may be applied to the second point using the tip 102 of the treatment instrument in a manner and with the same selection as pressure is applied to the first point, as described in detail above with reference to step 210 of method 200. That is, a piece of fabric may be used, and the duration and angle of pressure application may be the same or similar to that used at the first point. However, the duration of pressure applied at the second point need not be the same as that at the first point. For example, pressure may be applied to a first point for 1 minute and to a second point for 30 seconds. Also, the angle at which pressure is applied to the second point need not be the same as that at the first point. For example, pressure may be applied at a 45-degree angle at the first point and at a 90-degree angle at the second point. Similarly, pressure may be applied to a first point via a piece of fabric and to a second point without the use of a piece of fabric, or vice versa.

[0029] The distance between the first and second points along the fibers of the contracted tissue may be several millimeters. Illustratively, the distance may be less than 5 millimeters, less than 5 millimeters, or less than 1 centimeter. However, as known to those skilled in the art, the distance will be selected based on the particular anatomy of the area to be treated and / or based on the location of the identified nodes of the contracted tissue.

[0030] Additionally, the method 300 may include applying pressure while moving from a first point to a second point along the fibers of the contracted tissue. The pressure may be applied substantially similarly to that described above with respect to applying pressure to the first and second points. The pressure applied to the skin between the first and second points may vary. For example, pressure applied near the first point may be higher than near the second point, or vice versa. Any variation in pressure between the first and second points is expressly contemplated. In some embodiments, pressure is applied by the treatment instrument 100 on the contracted tissue, moving from the first point to the second point without interrupting contact with the underlying contracted tissue. Alternatively, pressure may be applied by the treatment instrument 100 to a single point on the contracted tissue for a specified duration prior to lifting the treatment instrument 100 away from the contact point and applying pressure at a second point that is different in location from the first point.

[0031] In step 340, the applied pressure causes a release of a portion of the contracted tissue beneath the area of ​​skin, as described above with reference to step 230 of method 200. The foregoing description has set forth certain exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed as illustrative only, and not as otherwise limiting the scope of the present disclosure. It is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A device for releasing contracted tissue in the subject, A tip, the tip having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, the tip including a cylindrical shape having a diameter of less than 1 millimeter and a length of less than 6 millimeters, the first end of the tip including a flat free end, An apparatus comprising: a main body, the main body having a first end including a free end and a second end opposite to the first end of the main body, the first end of the main body being connected to the second end of the tip such that the combined length of the main body and the tip is at least 10 centimeters.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the tip is at least 0.3 millimeters.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the length of the tip is at least 3 millimeters.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a portion that is tapered toward the first end of the main body.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body does not include a portion that is tapered toward the first end of the main body.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a rectangular prism shape.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the prism shape includes at least one of a cube, a rectangular prism, and a hexagonal prism.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body includes a cylindrical shape.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the width or diameter of the main body is greater than the diameter of the tip.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the combined length of the main body and the tip is 15 centimeters or less.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the tip includes a circular or rectangular shape.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tip includes a metal material.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tip includes at least one of rubber and plastic coatings.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a fabric layer detachably disposed at the first end of the tip.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the cloth layer is a cloth piece comprising at least one of microfiber and paper towel.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the fabric layer is folded once or more.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis extends from the first end of the tip to the second end of the main body.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first end of the tip is configured to be applied to a first surface area of ​​the subject.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis and the first surface region is at least one of approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, and approximately 90 degrees.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein a cloth layer is disposed between the first end of the tip and the first surface area of ​​the subject.

21. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first end of the tip is configured to be applied to a second surface area of ​​the subject, which is different from the first surface area of ​​the subject.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis and the second surface region is at least one of approximately 30 degrees, approximately 45 degrees, approximately 60 degrees, and approximately 90 degrees.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein a cloth layer is disposed between the first end of the tip and the second surface area of ​​the subject.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the distance between the first surface region and the second surface region is less than at least one of 5 millimeters and 1 centimeter.

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