Asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance

Abstract

An asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance (10) and a method for use by a user (130) to relieve tension and / or pain from their body (132), without a practitioner. The appliance (10) has an upper curved surface (22) for supporting and promoting the user's body (132) to relax, whilst a finger like projection (14) applies pressure to a location of tension or pain in the user's body (132) to release the tension or pain. The inventive concept relates to the use of a finger like projection (14) located upon an upper curved surface (34) for applying asymmetrical focussed pressure to the user's body (132) at a location of tension or pain to modify and ultimately to relieve that tension or pain, whilst the upper curved surface (34) promotes relaxation of the user's body. The projection (14) is removable, its height adjustable, and its shape modifiable with a removable cover.

Description

Asymmetrically Focussed Acupressure Appliance

[0001] The present invention relates to an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance and a method for a user to use the appliance to apply asymmetrically focussed pressure to relieve tension and / or pain from their body, without the need for a practitioner.

[0002] More particularly the present invention relates to an acupressure appliance and a method of its use for applying pressure to a single location of focus asymmetric to the user’s spine, whilst supporting the user’s body around the single location of focus to promote relaxation of the body.

[0003] The appliance of the present invention is intended to be applied to locations of the body at which a user experiences tension or pain, herein the “sore spot(s)”. The appliance facilitates the application of pressure to the sore spots to cause the tension and / or pain to change in intensity, to move in the body and to ultimately be released from the body.

[0004] The appliance of the present invention can also be applied to secondary locations of the body (herein referred to as “trigger points”), remote from the sore spots, for aiding in releasing tension and / or pain from the sore spots.

[0005] The appliance of the present invention can be applied to many different parts of a user’s body, whether fleshy or not, and does not necessarily rely upon special pressure points or energy grids of the body, for its operation, yet the appliance can be applied to such pressure points and energy grids.

[0006] The present invention also includes a method for self-massaging to reduce tension and pain in a user’s body, by using an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance to find a sore spot of maximum sensitivity and applying the force of at least some of the user’s body weight upon the sore spot to increase the discomfort until either the pain moves or subsides or until the user can no longer tolerate the pain. During this process the appliance supports the area of the user’s body around the sore spot so as to increase the user’s ability to locate and focus the application of pressure to the sore spot and to increase the user’s capacity to tolerate the discomfort associated with applying the force of the weight of their body onto the projection. The method optionally includes the user moving extremities of their body to increase the intensity of the discomfort to promote movement or release of the pain associated with the sore spot.

[0007] The appliance of the present invention is applicable in many different modes including, but is not limited to, myofascial applications (in muscles), cutaneous applications (in skin), fascial applications (surrounding muscles, organs, bones and nerve fibres), ligamentous applications (especially around joints), acupressure applications (stimulating specific locations of the human body), deep tissue self-massage applications (to ease stress and pain), tendon massage applications (to stimulate fibroblast activity and generate new collagen), and pressure point massage applications (also known as trigger point therapy), including but not limited to periosteal trigger points (knots and nodules periosteum / bone cover).

[0008] The acupressure appliance of the present invention relates to the technical field of treatment of the human body and healing of chronic conditions involving tension and pain by the application of acupressure to sites of tension and pain in the human body.

[0009] In the field of technology relating to the present invention there are a diversity of terminologies used. So as to avoid confusion the following specific terminology is used in the context of the present invention:

[0010] “acupressure” in the context of the present invention refers to a form of medical treatment, which originated from Japan, in which pressure is applied to particular parts (acupressure points or acupoints) of the body using the fingers, palms, elbows, or special hand operated tools. Acupressure is generally used to alleviate pain, including headaches, muscle tension, and chronic pain conditions. It is believed that acupressure can help reduce stress and promote relaxation by balancing the body’s energy flow;

[0011] "appliance” in the context of the present invention, refers to a non-electrical device, that is portable and manually operable by a user without the need for a practitioner to position or otherwise assist in directing the user to position the appliance with respect to their body. “Appliance” and “acupressure appliance” are both used herein as an abbreviation for the “asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance” of the present invention;

[0012] “asymmetrically focussed” in the context of the present invention, refers to applying pressure to a specific location of a user’s body with respect to the user’s spine. That is, the specific location of application of pressure is on one side of the user’s body with respect to their spine, with no corresponding pressure being applied to the other side of the user’s body, and hence applying pressure to the specific location effects an asymmetry to the pressure applied to the user’s body overall. In the context of the present invention pressure is not applied directly to the spine, and hence pressure applied to one specific location of a user’s body is asymmetric with respect to the spine of the user – that is, to one side of the user’s body or the other side with respect to the spine;

[0013] “asymmetric pressure” in the context of the present invention, also refers to applying different amounts of pressure to different parts of the body. Typically, in the present invention asymmetric pressure involves the use of a single projection that contacts part of a user’s body to apply pressure to just that part of the body;

[0014] “doubly curved surface” in the context of the present invention refers to a surface that is curved in two directions, for example, a part of a regular sphere (such as a ball), or a part of an irregular sphere (such as, a spheroid with an elliptical cross section in its longitudinal direction), see also singly curved surface;

[0015] “in front” in relation to the appliance of the present invention refers to positioning of the user using the appliance at one end of the appliance whereby they can lean their body onto the projection. That is, in front of the appliance refers to positioning of the user along the direction of curvature of the appliance (see);

[0016] “longitudinal” in the context of the appliance of the present invention, refers to a direction in which a user lays their body upon the appliance (see). More particularly, longitudinal refers to a direction in which the upper surface of the appliance is curved in a convex manner. “Longitudinal axis” in relation to the base member has a similar meaning. Transverse has the opposite meaning (see below);

[0017] “massage” in the context of the present invention, refers to rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body of a human with the hands, usually of another human, especially to relieve tension or pain in the first mentioned human (see “self-massage”);

[0018] “modify” in the context of the present invention, means increasing or decreasing the pain or tension experienced by the user. This is achieved by the user resting their body upon the acupressure appliance of the present invention for a period of time sufficient for the pain or tension they experience to change. The change may be for the pain or tension to increase (even to a degree that is intolerable to the user) or to decrease or even disappear;

[0019] “pressure” in the context of the present invention, refers to application of the force of some of the weight of the user’s body onto the projection and an upper surface of the appliance. This application of force is experienced by the user as pressure delivered to a specific location (the sore spot) on their body;

[0020] “projections” in the context of the present invention, refer to two or more solid or substantially hollow blocks typically set upon each other and projected upwardly from the appliance, and projection refers to just one of the blocks. The projections are shaped and oriented to be applied to one or more sore spots of the user’s body for relieving tension and pain therefrom;

[0021] “self-massage” in the context of the present invention refers to a user being able to use the appliance of the present invention to release tension and / or pain from their body without the need for a trained massage practitioner or someone else to assist them (see “massage”);

[0022] “singly curved surface” in the context of the present invention refers to a surface that is curved in one direction, for example, a part of a regular cylinder, or a part of an irregular cylinder (such as, a cylinder with an oval cross-section), see also doubly curved surface;

[0023] “sore spot” in the context of the present invention refers to a tender or sore area or location of the user’s body. Typically, the sore spot may be in the user’s buttocks, or back, although the sore spot could be in other parts of the user’s body, including, for example, but not limited to, the neck, shoulders, arms, legs, feet and / or hands. The user may have more than one sore spot. Typically, sore spots have a single point of focus, or a single point of maximum sensitivity or pain at which the user experiences maximum discomfort;

[0024] “specific location” in the context of the present invention, refers to the sore spot (see above);

[0025] “transverse” in the context of the appliance of the present invention, refers to a direction that is across (or at right angles to) a direction in which a user lays their body upon the appliance (see). More particularly, transverse refers to a direction that is across (or at right angles to, that is, orthogonal to) a direction in which the upper surface of the appliance is curved. Longitudinal has the opposite meaning (see above); and

[0026] "trigger points", in relation to the present invention, refer to sensitive areas of the body at which muscle fibres have become tight through being overused or overstrained. Trigger point is a term that was coined by Dr Janet Travell in the 1940’s to describe knots in skeletal muscle and the fascia around it. Trigger points may also be referred to as muscle “knots” and are sore spots in soft tissue which may be experienced as aching muscles. Trigger points can produce localised pain and also pain that is referred to other parts of the body (known as referred pain). Dr Travell defines trigger points, thus:

[0027] “a trigger point is a focus of hyperirritability in a tissue that, when compressed, is locally tender and, if sufficiently hypersensitive, gives rise to referred pain and tenderness, and sometimes to referred autonomic phenomena and distortion of proprioception. Types include myofascial, cutaneous, fascial, ligamentous, and periosteal trigger points.”

[0028] It is important to note that whilst the appliance of the present approximates the general shape of a pillow, it is not a pillow, since the appliance of the present invention is not soft or compressible or flexible. In fact the appliance of the present invention is required to be hard and incompressible and generally rigid. These characteristics are important in accurately and reliably delivering the force of the weight of the user’s body to a specific location of their body for treating and removing tension and pain from their body. Also, the pillow of the present invention is not intended to be slept upon nor rested upon for comfort.

[0029] The definitions contained throughout this specification are provided to give context for the meanings of certain words, as used herein, which may differ from a more general interpretation. It is to be understood that the definitions contained herein are not exhaustive.

[0030] Where other patents are referred to in the description of the present invention the entire content of those patents are considered imported into this description. The purpose of such incorporation is to provide additional information regarding the materials and the items referenced in relation to those patents.

[0031] Often, when people experience stress or pain in their muscles or joints they may seek relief by receiving massage from a practitioner trained in any one or more of many modes of massage therapy for this purpose. Fundamentally and usually, massage is the manipulation of the body's soft tissue. Massage techniques are usually applied by a trained practitioner using their hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device or appliance.

[0032] There have also been some attempts at creating devices that a user can apply to their own body to attempt to reduce tension and pain in their body. One such device is a lumbar stretcher by Herbst US6634999 which is a convex plastic flexible member against which a user can lay the lumbar region of their back. The member has the effect of stretching the lumbar region, which is claimed to have the effect of reducing stress, tension, and pain of the user. The main limitation of this device is that it is only useful for application to the lumbar region of the user’s back. Also, the lumbar stretcher applies the same amount of stretch to both sides of the spine, and therefore cannot apply asymmetric pressure. Further the lumber stretcher provides a large area of contact to the user’s lower back and hence cannot apply focussed pressure to a specific spot at which the user experiences tension or pain.

[0033] An attempt to resolve these limitations was made by Fors US6821260 with a flat board with a series of holes arranged to receive projections for stretching tissue to be treated. The projections are arranged to press against so called trigger points of the user’s body. The theory is that sufficient pressure applied over sufficient time will result in the muscles in that area relaxing, thus releasing or reducing the user’s pain. This is referred to as a trigger point release. The main limitation of this board is that it is flat, whist the body of the user is not flat. The board therefore cannot adequately support the body of the user in the region around the trigger point at which the projections are applied. Therefore it can be difficult for a user to apply a tolerable amount of their body weight against the projections for sufficient time to allow the trigger point to release.

[0034] Yet other massage tools have been proposed by Warder US7320668, who includes uprights for administering therapeutic pressure to the muscles of the user’s body. The massage tool relies upon the forces of gravity and the weight of the user’s body to apply pressure to the muscles for liberating pain and stress from the muscles. This massage tool also has the limitation that it does not support the user’s body in the area around the point of the body at which the uprights are applied to the body. This limitation reduces the uses to which the massage tool can be put, and limits the areas of the body to which the massage tool can be applied.

[0035] Still further massage tools, such as that of Masek US2009 / 0012435, focus on applying pressure on opposite sides of a user’s spine. The tool is specifically designed so that the user only contacts the two pressure balls of the tool and no other part of the massage tool. This has the limitation that the tool is only useful when applied across the user’s spine. Adjustment of the pressure applied to the user by the balls is achieved by adjusting the length of posts upon which the balls are mounted. This is inconvenient when the user is part way through their treatment and needs to adjust the amount of pressure applied to the sore spot on their body.

[0036] Another device that applies pressure to opposite sides of the spine is Myler US6305040. The device has pairs of pressure elements arranged so as to guide the location of the device with respect to the user’s body such that the pressure elements contact the user’s acupressure points, without the need for training of or special knowledge gained by the user. Myler contends that applying steady, predictable, reliable, continual pressure at a designated acupressure location can cause the muscles in that area to relax, thereby delivering therapy to the user. Myler also suggests application to the limbs of a user, however, pressure is still applied in pairs of points against the user. Symmetry of application of pressure is considered by Myler to be an important factor to assisting the user to properly position the device on their body. It is important to note that Myler’s device is made of elastomeric foam so as to maintain the comfort of the user during application of pressure to acupressure points by the device. One limitation of Myler is that devices of different sizes are needed for treatment of different parts of the user’s body and for users of different sizes. Another limitation of Myler is relying upon pressure elements that are spherical in shape and non-rigid in structure. The spherical shape has the disadvantage of defocussing the pressure as it is applied to the body of the user. Also making the pressure elements non-rigid also results in dispersion of the pressure to the user’s body, which we consider to be undesirable, since it reduces the effectiveness of the treatment and limits the ability of the user to effectively activate the sore spot to focus the tension and / or pain the user is experiencing to promote its ultimate release.

[0037] The present invention provides an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance that seeks to overcome the limitations of prior art devices by delivering asymmetrical focussed pressure to the body of a user at specific locations of tension or pain, whilst supporting adjacent parts of the user’s body for promoting the body to relax to release the tension or pain.

[0038] The appliance of the present invention works through applying asymmetrically focussed pressure upon a single point of tension or pain in the body and maintaining the pressure to the extent that and for a duration that the user can tolerate application of that pressure to that point. By this process the tension or pain either disperses and becomes dull or otherwise intensifies, depending upon how chronic the tension or pain is. The user can adjust the amount of their body weight they apply onto the appliance to cause the tension or pain to change or release. Also, the user can make slight adjustments to their body position to adjust the application of the pressure to the point of tension or pain. This adjustment allows a more intense experience of the application of the pressure which can speed up the process of release of the tension or pain and hence speed up the healing achieved by the treatment of the user with the appliance.

[0039] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

[0040] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an acupressure appliance for applying asymmetrically focussed pressure to one specific location at a time of a user’s body to relieve tension and pain therein.

[0041] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance comprising:a base member comprising an upper curved surface and a lower support surface spaced from and connected to the upper curved surface, the lower surface being configured to allow the base member to rest between a user and a generally planar support surface, the upper curved surface being convex in at least one direction, and the upper curved surface being substantially rigid for supporting a force exerted by the weight of the user’s body when rested upon the upper curved surface; andone projection removably attached to the base member and disposed upwardly, the projection being oriented to contact with a specific location of the user’s body at which tension or pain is present;wherein the projection applies asymmetric pressure to the specific location of the user’s body for promoting modification of the tension or pain, whilst the upper curved surface supports an area of the user’s body around the said specific location to promote relaxation; andwherein at least part of the force of the user’s body weight is asymmetrically focussed on the projection; andwherein the location at which the projection contacts the user’s body can be changed by the user repositioning their body upon the upper curved surface.

[0042] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of self-massaging to reduce tension and pain in a human body, the method including the steps of:providing an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance comprising one projection for bearing against a user’s body, and a base member, the base member comprising an upper curved surface and a lower surface, the upper curved surface being convex in at least one direction, the upper curved surface being substantially rigid for supporting a force exerted by the weight of an area of the user’s body rested upon it, and the projection being disposed outwardly from the upper curved surface to contact with the user’s body, the lower surface being spaced from the upper curved surface and configured to allow the base member to rest between the user and a support surface;positioning the lower surface against the support surface for supporting force of the weight of the user’s body,positioning the user’s body upon the projection,supporting the user’s body upon the upper curved surface about the projection to promote relaxation of the body,adjusting the location at which the projection contacts with the user’s body by repositioning the user’s body upon the projection to apply asymmetric pressure thereto to adjust the level of pain experienced by the user, andmaintaining the contact of the projection with the user’s body for a period of time sufficient to modify the pain experienced by the user.

[0043] Preferably, the base member is hard and incompressible for resisting deformation under the force of the user’s body weight resting upon it.

[0044] Preferably, the base member is made of plastics material, such as, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). However, the base member could be made of wood or metals materials or the like, incompressible, substantially rigid materials or combinations of such materials.

[0045] Conveniently, the base member is formed by injection moulding.

[0046] Conveniently, the base member is hollow with material thickness of more than about 4mm, such as, for example, about 6mm.

[0047] Typically, the base member is at least as wide as an average adult human body. More preferably, the base member has an area of contact with the support surface spanning a large enough area so that the base member remains stationary as the user adjusts the position of their body on top of the base member. For this purpose the base member typically has an area of at least 350mm in the longitudinal direction and 400mm in the transverse direction – being 350mm in the direction of the length of the user’s body (longitudinal), and 400mm in the direction across the user’s body (transverse). More succinctly, the base member has an area of contact with the support surface that spans about 350mm x 400mm.

[0048] It is also to be understood that the base member could be wider than 400mm although for humans of average size the extra width does not provide extra support to their body. Nevertheless, extra width would increase the friction between the base member and the support surface.

[0049] It is to be understood that the base member could be sized larger or smaller to resist movement upon the support surface when used with human bodies of respectively much larger or much smaller size than average.

[0050] Optionally, in designs where the base member is hollow, reinforcing ribs may be used to support the upper curved surface to avoid it deflecting under the force of the weight of the user.

[0051] Preferably, the lower surface of the base member is defined by a collection of 4 substantially continuous edges that bound the base member. Preferably, the edges are coplanar for resting upon a planar area such as a floor or a wall, of a room within a building, or ground around the building or the like support surface.

[0052] Optionally, the lower surface may include friction means for inhibiting movement of the appliance upon the support surface as the user moves their body upon the appliance. The friction means could be in the form of friction inducing feet located adjacent the corners of the lower surface, or one or more friction strips located along the lower surface. The friction feet or friction strips could be made of rubber or synthetic rubber or neoprene or polyurethane or silicone or the like resilient material having a high coefficient of friction with respect to typical flooring coverings and wall materials and coatings.

[0053] Preferably, the upper curved surface is convex in the direction that the user rests their body upon it and substantially planar in the direction transverse to the direction the user rests upon the upper curved surface.

[0054] Typically, the base member has two opposing side walls that are substantially parallel to each other and two opposing end walls that diverge downwardly from the upper curved surface towards the lower support surface.

[0055] Conveniently, the base member may be solid, or hollow, or reinforced, or hollow with an expandable weight bearing filling.

[0056] Typically, the base member has a recessed lip in each of the two side walls, the lip being dimensioned for convenient lifting and carrying of the appliance by the user placing their fingers into the recessed lip. Alternatively, the lip could project outwardly from the side walls.

[0057] Preferably, the projection is hard, incompressible, and rigid.

[0058] Typically, the projection is made of plastics materials, such as, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE) or ABS or the like. Although the projection could be made of other hard materials, such as, for example, wood or metal materials or the like or a combination of such materials.

[0059] Typically, the projection is square in transverse cross-section.

[0060] Typically, the projection is tapered towards its end distal from the upper curved surface of the base member.

[0061] Typically, the distal end of the projection is substantially square.

[0062] Typically, the distal end of the projection has a substantially surface area of between 200mm2(for example, about 14mm x 14mm) and 1,200mm2(for example, about 35mm x 35mm), such as, for example, about 400mm2(about 20mm x 20mm).

[0063] Typically, the projection is from 10mm to 60mm high, more typically 15mm to 40mm, such as about 20mm. The height needed for the projection depends to some extent upon the thickness of flesh needed to press through to reach the specific location of the user’s body needing relief of tension or pain. The height needed for the projection also depends upon the reach needed to access the specific location of the user’s body, such as to reach into the curve of the user’s neck (the cervical spine), or behind the user’s knee, or the like.

[0064] The projection could have shapes other than as described hereinabove, including, for example, any shape chosen from: finger shaped, circular cross-section, oval cross-section, rib shaped, elbow shaped, heel shaped, ball shaped, spherical, ellipsoid, rectangular prism or the like. These different shapes of the projection are suitable for reaching different parts of the user’s body and for providing releasing pressure to the specific locations of the body in different manners.

[0065] The projection could include a magnetic element for magnetically stimulating the user’s body at the specific location.

[0066] The projection could include a heating element for thermally stimulating the user’s body at the specific location.

[0067] The projection could include an electrical stimulation element, for providing electrical stimulation of the user’s body at the specific location. Conveniently, the electrical stimulation could be adjustable in frequency, modulation and strength, The electrical stimulation could include multiple frequencies, and / or waveforms other than sinusoidal, such as, for example, triangle waveform, square waveform, random waveform or a waveform that is modulated by sound or the like frequency.

[0068] The projection could include a mechanical stimulation element, for providing mechanical stimulation of the user’s body at the specific location. For example, the mechanical stimulation element could be in the form of a vibration device. Conveniently, the frequency and strength (amplitude) of the vibration could be adjustable.

[0069] The projection could include an ultrasonic stimulator element, for providing ultrasonic stimulation of the user’s body at the specific location. Conveniently, the frequency and strength (amplitude) of the vibration could be adjustable.

[0070] Conveniently the projection could be height adjustable. This could be achieved by threading of the projection into the base member such that rotation of the projection causes the height of the projection to change with respect to the upper curved surface of the base member.

[0071] Typically, the height of the projection is chosen to apply pressure to a point of the user’s body whilst the area of the user’s body around that location is supported by the upper curved surface of the base member.

[0072] Conveniently, the projection could be detachable and / or replaceable.

[0073] Conveniently, the projection has a removable cover locatable upon its distal end.

[0074] Conveniently, removable covers of different shapes could be used to alter the focus of the pressure at the specific location of the user’s body. This may be useful where the user is particularly sensitive to pain, in which case the shape of the cover could be varied to reduce the focus of the pressure applied by the projection so as to reduce the user’s experience of the pain from the pressure applied by the projection; and vice versa for people who are particularly insensitive to pain.

[0075] Conveniently, the projection may be retractable into the base member for storage and transportation.

[0076] Conveniently, one or more of the projections are stackable one upon the other to increase the height of the projection above the upper curved surface.

[0077] Conveniently, one or more of the projections may be nestable one around the other to increase height and / or width of the projection.

[0078] Typically, the distal end of the projection is substantially flat.

[0079] Typically, the distal end of the projection at an acute angle to the lower surface of the base member.

[0080] Typically, the distal end of the projection at an angle of about 30 degrees to a measured from the lower surface of the base member.

[0081] Typically, the distal end of the projection is oriented with its major diagonal axis substantially parallel to the two side walls of the base member.

[0082] Typically, the projection is located between an apex of the upper curved surface and the front wall.

[0083] Optionally, two of the projections, instead of being placed one on top of the other, could both be arranged on the upper curved surface, provided they are on opposite sides of an apex of the upper curved surface. In this configuration the appliance can be used from either end. Alternatively, the projection located between the apex of the upper curved surface and the rear wall can be used to contact points higher up the user’s body than the projection located between the apex of the upper curved surface and the front wall. It is not intended that the user use both projections at the same time for contacting two points longitudinally spaced along their body.

[0084] Where two projections are provided on the upper curved surface, it is intended that only one be attached to the base member at a time.

[0085] Typically, the upper curved surface is more convex towards rear end than towards the front end. In this mode the projection at the less convex end of the upper curved surface provides less pressure resistance than the projection at the more convex end of the upper curved surface.

[0086] Conveniently, blocks could be provided for attachment underneath the base member to increase the thickness of the base member, and hence increase the height of the upper curved surface above a surface upon which the appliance of the present invention rests, when in use.

[0087] Typically, the blocks are between 10mm and 60mm thick and have an area that compliments the area of the base member.

[0088] Conveniently, multiples of the blocks could be stacked one upon the other to increase the height of the upper curved surface above the surface upon which the appliance rests.

[0089] Conveniently, a soft resilient pillow (of the nature of a bed pillow or couch pillow) may be located spaced from the acupressure pillow and resting upon the same surface as the acupressure appliance. The soft pillow is designed and arranged to support a user’s head upon whilst the user rests their back or body upon the projection and the upper curved surface.

[0090] Typically, a flexible web (such as a towel or the like washable material) is attached around the soft pillow and laid over and / or around the acupressure appliance to maintain the orientation of the soft pillow with respect to the projection and the upper curved surface, so as to resist the soft pillow moving with respect to the appliance as the user adjusts their position on the appliance.

[0091] Conveniently, the web has a transverse sleeve in which the soft pillow can be inserted and retained during use.

[0092] Conveniently, the web has a hole through it to allow the projection to pass through the web and contact the user’s body

[0093] Conveniently, an anti-slip underlay may be attached to the edges of the base member to improve frictional engagement of the appliance with the support surface.

[0094] Conveniently, an anti-slip underlay web may be disposed under the acupressure appliance.

[0095] In one embodiment the base member comprises an upper portion and a lower portion which are separatable. The projection is disposed from the upper portion, and the upper portion can be used without the lower portion. This configuration allows the appliance to adopt a thinner aspect for use by users who are more sensitive to and less tolerant of the sensations of applying the projection to the location of tension or pain.

[0096] Conveniently, lugs are provided in the lower portion and holes are provided in the upper portion for use in connecting the lower portion to the upper portion to the lower portion.

[0097] Optionally, twist locks can be provided for releasably connecting the lower portion to the upper portion. The twist locks can be hand operated for assembly and disassembly of the lower and upper portions.

[0098] Typically, the method of self-massaging with the acupressure appliance includes a repositioning the user’s body on the appliance to intensify the tension or pain experienced.

[0099] Typically, the method of self-massage also includes the step of the user moving a part of their body remote from the location of contact of the projection with their body, for adjusting the intensity of the tension or pain experienced at the location of contact. For example, whilst applying pressure to the user’s hip area, the user may move the associated leg laterally from side to side. In another example, whilst applying pressure to the user’s shoulder blade area, the user may raise and lower their associated arm and their head at the same time.

[0100] Conveniently, the method of self-massage includes the user moving their arms or legs or heads for adjusting the intensity of the tension or pain at a location remove from their arms or legs or head where the projection contracts their body.

[0101] ] In the design of the appliance of the present invention it is important that there be only one projection that is in contact with the user at any given time. Having only one projection is important in applying asymmetrically focussed pressure to the location of the tension or pain that the user is experiencing without applying pressure to some other point on the user’s body. In particular it is important to the operation of the acupressure appliance of the present invention that pressure is not applied in a symmetric manner to the user’s body. Hence, two projections placed symmetrically across the appliance with respect to the spine of the user’s body for applying equal pressure to the user’s body on opposite sides of the body with respect to the user’s spine is not recommended.

[0102] Also, asymmetry of the application of pressure to the user’s body is important because the experience of tension and pain in the user’s body usually has a single location of maximum intensity, which therefor is asymmetric. The asymmetry is usually a result of trauma or injury in the body being experienced asymmetrically. Put differently, it is illogical to expect that application of symmetric pressure to both sides of a user’s spine will be useful in dealing with tension or pain caused by trauma or injury to one side of the user’s body (that is on one side of the body with respect to the user’s spine).

[0103] It is to be noted that in the event that the user has a broad region of pain, such as is common with so called “burning pain” and “aching pain”, there will still be a focal point at which the experience of the tension or pain is a maximum or of maximum tolerable level. Hence, focussed application of pressure by a single projection to a specific location, asymmetric with respect to the user’s spine, within the area of tension or pain is still required to effect treatment of the user.

[0104] It is also to be noted that sometimes the specific location which can relieve tension or pain for a user may be located in an area of the body outside the area within which the tension or pain is experienced. This is generally known as “referred pain”. Hence, in the case of referred pain the projection may be located at a specific location of the user’s body away from the site where the tension or pain is experienced. More technically, referred pain is pain perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus or origin. Referred pain is the result of interconnections of nerves that supply many different parts of the body confusing the origin of the pain signal through injury or trauma.

[0105] It is for the reason that the precise origin of tension or pain is difficult to predict or even verify that it is important that a user be able to apply pressure to specific locations of their body to determine, by trial and error, the location(s) of maximum tension or pain and the amount of pressure that they can tolerate. For the same reason it is difficult for a practitioner to accurately apply pressure to a user to help relieve their tension or pain, since the practitioner usually cannot feel what the user is feeling in relation to that tension or pain.

[0106] It is to be noted that the site of maximum tension or pain may move, hence there may be more than one location of the user’s body at which the projection(s) need to be positioned to engage with the user’s tension or pain.

[0107] The technical problem addressed by the acupressure appliance of the present invention is enabling release of tension and pain from a user’s body without the need for a practitioner. Prior art devices that attempt to address this issue generally provide pressure to both sides of the user’s spine, that is, symmetrical pressure. Also, prior art devices do not provide adequate support around the site of the tension and pain to promote relaxation of the user’s body to facilitate release of the tension and pain.

[0108] The purpose of the acupressure appliance of the present invention is to release tension and pain from a user’s body.

[0109] The acupressure appliance of the present invention solves the problem missed by the prior art, by providing a finger like projection located upon a curved surface for both supporting the body of the user to promote relaxation, whilst applying pressure asymmetrically with respect to the user’s spine at or proximate the location of tension or pain, to modify that tension or pain, and ultimately to release the tension or pain.

[0110] The asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention has the advantage that it can apply focussed pressure to a specific location of a user’s body 132 for effecting release of tension and / or pain. The application of the pressure is asymmetrical with respect to the user’s spine for more reliably and accurately focusing pressure on to the specific location of the tension and / or pain.

[0111] Also, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention can be used without special skill or training. The user 130 only needs to feel the tension or pain in their body 132 at the site of the projection 14 and adjust the position of their body 132 to maximise the sensation of the tension or pain within their level of tolerance, in order to achieve a release of the tension and / or pain.

[0112] Further, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention does not require a practitioner or clinician to apply the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 to a user who needs relief from tension and / or pain.

[0113] Still further, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention can be used with fine adjustments of the specific location at which pressure is applied to the user’s body via the projection 14, to better, more accurately and more precisely treat the user 130 and to achieve faster and more reliable treatment results.

[0114] Still further, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention can be used with fine adjustments of the orientation of the body 132 of the user 130 to finely adjust the pressure applied at the site of the projection 14, to better, more accurately and more precisely treat the user 130 and to achieve faster and more reliable treatment results.

[0115] Still further, the upper portion 312 can be detached from the lower portion 314 to reduce the thickness of the appliance 300 for users who are very reactive to tension and pain.

[0116] The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following description of a specific embodiment of the present invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0117] is a perspective view, seen from above, of an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention (referred to as a “first” embodiment), shown with one projection on its upper surface;

[0118] is a perspective view, seen from the side, of the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance of, shown with two projections, disposed remote from each other and in dissimilar planes of arrangement;

[0119] andare side views of two different shapes of the acupressure appliance of;

[0120] is a plan view of the acupressure appliance of;

[0121] is a plan view of a projection of the acupressure appliance of, shown on a larger scale, the plan view being directed on the longitudinal axis of the projection, with the projection being relatively short;

[0122] is a side view of the acupressure appliance of;

[0123] is an end view of the acupressure appliance of;

[0124] is a perspective view, seen from above, of an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance in accordance with another embodiment (referred to as a “second” embodiment) of the present invention, incorporating a rivnut for mounting of the projection of;

[0125] is a cut-away perspective view, seen from above, of the acupressure appliance of, showing a mounting mechanism for the projection, the cut-away is taken along a longitudinal axis of the appliance;

[0126] is an enlarged perspective view, seen from above, of mounting mechanism of the appliance of;

[0127] is a perspective view, seen from above, of a projection of the acupressure appliance ofand, the projection being of a relatively tall dimension;

[0128] is a cross-sectional side view of the tall projection of;

[0129] is a plan view of the projection of;

[0130] is a lower plan view of the projection of;

[0131] is a perspective view, seen from above, of a projection of the acupressure appliance ofand, being of a relatively short dimension;

[0132] is a cross-sectional side view of the short projection of;

[0133] toare respectively a perspective view, seen from above, a side view, and a perspective view, seen from below, of another embodiment of the present invention (referred to as a “third” embodiment), similar to the embodiment of, but with the rivnut replaced by a metal collar embedded into the base member;

[0134] is a perspective view, seen from above, of two of the projections ofassembled on a bolt with a wing nut threaded onto the bolt;

[0135] is a perspective view, seen from above, of part of the acupressure appliance ofto, shown to a larger scale and with a cross section taken longitudinally through the bolt and wing nut ofand also showing two of the projections ofand one of the projections ofassembled onto the bolt;

[0136] is a perspective view, seen from above, of a soft pillow and flexible web shown fitted about the acupressure appliance of the present invention, the appliance is shown to the left and the soft pillow is shown to the right;

[0137] is a schematic side view of a user reclined upon the acupressure appliance of the present invention and applying pressure with the projection to a sore location on the user’s buttocks;

[0138] andare perspective views, seen from the side, of a user reclined upon the acupressure appliance of the present invention, respectively with one of their legs raised and then lowered for varying the intensity of pressure applied to a sore spot on the gluteus maximus;

[0139] toare perspective views, seen from the side, of a user positioning a part of their mid-back on to the acupressure appliance of the present invention;

[0140] toare perspective views, seen from the side, of the user oftoaltering the position of their head and arms to effect adjustment of the intensity of the pain their feel in the sore spot at which the projection is pressed on their upper-back;

[0141] is a perspective view, seen from the side, of a user applying the acupressure appliance of the present invention to a rear potion of their neck;

[0142] is respectively a perspective view, seen from above, of another embodiment of the present invention (referred to as a “fourth” embodiment), similar to the embodiment of, but with a plurality of the metal collars embedded into the base member along a longitudinal axis, shown disassembled into an upper portion and a lower portion, and shown with its projection removed;

[0143] is a perspective view, seen from above, shown to an enlarged scale, of a lug arrangement for connecting the upper portion and lower portion of the base member of; and

[0144] is a perspective view, seem from above, of a rear wall of the appliance of, showing storage of several of the projections ofand.

[0145] In the drawings, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

[0146] Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following detailed description of one or more non-limiting embodiments. This detailed description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention to the skilled addressee. This detailed description is not to be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above.

[0147] It is to be noted that embodiments of the present invention are shown in no particular order of importance.

[0148] First Embodiment.

[0149] Shown intois one exemplary embodiment of an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10 in accordance with the present invention.

[0150] The acupressure appliance 10 of the present invention conveniently comprises two components being a base member 12 and a projection 14.

[0151] The base member 12 supports the projection 14 in spaced relation to a support surface such as, for example, a floor 16 (as shown in) or a wall of a room of a building or upon ground around the building.

[0152] The base member 12 is generally shaped like a pillow. However, the base member 12 is not soft or compressible or flexible in the kind of manner that a bed pillow is, and instead the base member 12 is relatively hard, relatively incompressible, and relatively rigid and non-compliant (compared with a bed pillow). These characteristics of the base member 12 are important in order to accurately and reliably deliver at least some force of the weight of a user’s body to a specific location of their body for treating and removing tension and pain from their body.

[0153] The base member 12 may be solid or hollow. Also, the base member 12 may be made from plastics materials, such as, for example, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), or the base member 12 could be made from wood or metal materials or the like or a combination of such materials.

[0154] Typically, the base member 12 is at least as wide as an average adult human body. More preferably, the base member 12 has an area large enough to so that the base member 12 remains stationary as the user adjusts the position of their body on top of the base member 12, when in use. For this purpose the base member preferably has an area of at least 300mm x 400mm – being 300mm in the direction of the length of the user’s body, and 400mm in the direction across the user’s body (transverse). More particularly, the base member has an area of contact with the support surface that spans of about 350mm x 450mm.

[0155] Conveniently, the base member 12 may be formed by injection moulding from a sheet of ABS plastic material.

[0156] The base member 12 comprises an upper curved surface 20 (with a centreline 21 intermediate its width), two sidewalls 22, a front wall 24 and a rear wall 26. The upper curved surface 20 is supported upon the two sidewalls 22 and the front and rear walls 24 and 26. The front wall 24 has a lower edge 28 and the rear wall 26 has a lower edge 29 both of which can rest upon a surface, such as a floor, to support the base member 12.

[0157] Preferably, the upper curved surface 20 of base member 12 is curved in longitudinal cross-section (that is, parallel to the side walls 22). Conveniently, the upper curved surface 20 is substantially flat in transverse cross-section. In this context longitudinal is taken as being from the front wall 24 to the rear wall 26, and transverse is taken as being between the two side walls 22.

[0158] Typically, the curvature of the upper curved surface 20 is semi-circular with a radius of between 300mm and 400mm, such as, for example, about 330mm. The upper curved surface 20 has a centreline 21 along which the projection 14 is located. The centreline 21 is typically located midway between the side walls 22.

[0159] It is to be understood that the base member 12 does not have to be semicircular in longitudinal cross-section. For example, the base member 12 could be semi-elliptical, with the region of the upper curved surface 20 that leads to the front wall 24 being relatively flatter than the region of the upper curved surface 20 that leads to the rear wall 26, particularly as shown in.

[0160] Typically, the front wall 24 is shorter in height than the rear wall 26. Conveniently, the front wall 24 is about 10mm high and the rear wall 26 is about 33mm high. Although other wall heights could be used depending upon the size of the user of the acupressure appliance 10 and the portion of the body that is to be treated.

[0161] It is to be noted that flat, substantially rectangular prism, blocks substantially corresponding in dimension to the footprint of the base member 12 could be releasably attached beneath of the base member 12, to increase the height of the upper curved surface 20 above the surface upon which the acupressure appliance 10 rests, when in use. Typically, the area of such blocks is substantially the same as the area bounded by the end walls 24 and 26 and the side walls 22. The thickness of such blocks could conveniently be between 10mm and 60mm. It is also envisaged that multiples of such blocks could be stacked, one upon the other, to raise the upper curved surface 20 higher and higher, as desired by the user. The flat blocks could be solid or hollow. In the latter case, the flat blocks are provided with reinforcing ribs disposed in a matrix arrangement to support the base member 12.

[0162] Conveniently, the flat blocks could be attached to the base member 12 and stacked upon each other by using releasable fasteners, such as, for example, fasteners of the hook and loop type, such as, fasteners sold under the registered trade mark Velcro (see patent US2717437 by de Mestral, Velcro SA). Although, other forms of releasable fastener could be used, including, for example, twist locks (for example see patent US3749438 by Loomis) or clasps or the like.

[0163] The upper curved surface 20 is generally planar and generally convex in at least one direction.

[0164] Particularly as shown in, the upper curved surface 20 has a front edge 30 and a rear edge 32 which connected by an upper face 34 and a lower face 36. The upper face 34 is convex and the lower face 36 is concave. The upper face 34 is typically parallel to the lower face 36.

[0165] The front edge 30 terminates at the front wall 24 and the rear edge 32 terminates at the rear wall 26.

[0166] The side walls 22 are generally planar and each has an upper edge 40 and a lower edge 42 spanned by a front edge 44 and a rear edge 46. The front and rear edges 44 and 46 are typically substantially at an angle of between 70 and 90 degrees to the. In the present embodiment the front edge 30 is at about 88 degrees to the horizontal, and the rear edge 32 is at about 75 degrees to the horizontal.

[0167] Particularly as shown inand, the side walls 22 are generally parallel to each other, and splay outwardly slightly from the upper curved surface upper edge 40 towards the lower edge 42.

[0168] The upper edge 40 is contiguous with and supports the lower face 36 of the upper curved surface 20. The front and rear edges 44 and 46 support the front edge 30 and rear edge 32 of the upper curved surface 20.

[0169] The upper curved surface 20, the side walls 22 and the end walls 24 and 26 could be separate components secured together or they could be formed in a unitary piece.

[0170] The lower edge 42 of the side walls 22, together with the lower edges 28 and 29 of the front and rear walls 24 and 26, respectively, form a lower surface 50 upon which the appliance 10 rests. The edges 28, 29 and 42 are typically coplanar for supporting the appliance 10 upon a planar area, such as, for example, a floor (or a table or a wall). That is, the lower surface 50 is typically planar for supporting the appliance 10 on a flat surface.

[0171] It is to be noted that in embodiments where the base member 12 is hollow the lower surface 50 is in reality a continuous edge that surrounds the outer extremity of the appliance 10 (the edges 28, 29 and 42).

[0172] It is also to be understood that the base member 12 could be hollow and reinforced by a matrix of substantially vertically oriented internal walls that produce a matrix of edges that form the lower surface 50. The matrix of walls could be, for example, like the squares of a chess board, although the matrix of reinforcing walls could be made up of other than 8 walls by 8 walls arranged in orthogonal directions, and the number of walls in the orthogonal directions do not have to be equal.

[0173] By way of contrast, in embodiments where the base member 12 is solid, the lower surface 50 is contiguous and spans the space between the edges 28, 29 and 42.

[0174] The upper curved surface 20 is typically convex in a direction parallel to the side walls 22.

[0175] Typically, the upper curved surface 20 is more than about 4mm thick. Typically, the side walls 22 and the front wall 24 and the rear wall 26 are also more than about 4mm thick. The thickness of the upper curved surface 20 and the side walls 22 is to maintain the rigidity of the base member 12 under the force of the weight of a user applied via the projection 14. Depending upon the material used to make the upper curved surface 20, the required thickness could be between 25mm and 40mm (similar to the thickness shown in).

[0176] It is understood that stronger materials could be used for the upper curved surface 20, the front wall 24, the rear wall 26 and the side walls 22, thus reducing the thickness required to maintain the rigidity of the base member 12. For example, metals materials, or even some plastics materials, could be less than 4mm thick and still provide the required rigidity.

[0177] It is also understood that the base member 12 could be solid. In such an embodiment the upper curved surface 20, the lower surface 50 and the side walls 22 are unitary and merely different sides of the same solid block of material. Conveniently, wooden materials could be used to make the base member 12 as a solid block. For example, the base member 12 could be made from balsa wood.

[0178] It is also to be understood that the upper curved surface 20 could be made of materials less than 4mm thick and the void (not shown) defined by the lower face 36 of the upper curved surface 20 and the side walls 22 could be filled with expandable foamed plastics materials, or other materials, that are light and substantially rigid and able to support a load.

[0179] Similarly, the base member 12 could be made from expanded foamed plastic materials with a hard outer cover, somewhat akin to the construction of a fibreglass surfboard. Indeed settable fibre material, such as, that sold under the registered trade mark Kevlar (by E.I. Du Pont, see patent US3819587 to Kwoleck), or fibreglass or the like, could be used to strengthen the outer surface of the base member 12. Also, tough polyester films, such as, for example, boPET film sold under the registered trade mark Mylar (by E.I Du Pont, see patent US2534028 to Izard et al) could also be used to strengthen the outer surface of the base member 12.

[0180] In embodiments where the base member 12 is hollow, reinforcing ribs (not shown) may be arranged depending vertically downwardly from the lower face 36 of the upper curved surface 20 to the plane of the lower surface 50. The reinforcing ribs could be arranged as a matrix of interconnecting ribs so as to provide lateral stability and rigidity. Thus, the reinforcing ribs serve to support the upper curved surface 20 to avoid it deflecting under the force of the weight of the user.

[0181] It is to be noted that the space between the interconnecting reinforcing ribs could be filled partially or totally with expandable formed plastic materials, or the like, to provide further rigidity against the force of the weight of the user.

[0182] It is to be noted that in embodiments where the base member 12 is solid, filled with expandable foamed plastics materials and having a planar lower surface 50, the lower ends of the reinforcing ribs terminate at the lower surface 50 for providing mechanical load bearing support from the upper curved surface 20 to the planar surface upon which the appliance 10 rests when in used.

[0183] The side walls 22 are located slightly inboard, conveniently an amount of about 10mm, from the outer edge of the upper curved surface 20, so as to form a lip 60 (see). The lip 60 provides for convenient lifting of the appliance 10 by its user for relocating the appliance 10 when not in use.

[0184] Alternative to the lip 60, a cutout could be formed through the side walls 22 and into the region within the base member 12. The cutout being dimensioned to receive at least the tips of at least some of the user’s fingers. Conveniently, the cutout has length of about 100mm, a height of about 30mm and a depth (into the base member 12) of at least 20mm, to accommodate at least the tips of the user’s fingers.

[0185] Particularly as shown in,,and, projection 14 is located upon the upper curved surface 20, centrally and towards the front edge 24. The projection 14 may be formed integrally with the upper curved surface 20 or could be attached thereto, such as by, screwing, or insertion into a hole, or the like.

[0186] Typically, the projection 14 has a proximal end 70 connected to the upper curved surface 20 and a distal end 72 disposed at an acute angle A to a measured from the lower surface 50 of the base member 12. Conveniently, the angle A is about 30 degrees. Stated another way, the plane of the distal end 72 of the projection is at an angle of about 30 degrees to the lower surface 50 of the base member 12, and hence about 30 degrees to a planar area that the base member 12 rests upon. Conveniently the planar area could be a floor or a wall or a massage table or the like substantially rigid, substantially immovable area.

[0187] The height of the projection 14 is typically chosen depending upon the region of the body being treated. For example, when treating the neck a long projection 14 is needed, as compared with treating the shoulders or buttocks. Also, projections 14 of differing heights are needed for people of different flesh thickness. For example, a user with more flesh needs a higher projection 14 than a user with less flesh. Further, people with low tolerance for pain may need to use shorter projections 14 than people with high tolerance for pain.

[0188] Typically, the height of the projection 14 is chosen to apply pressure to a point of the user’s body whilst the area of the user’s body around that location is supported by the upper curved surface 20 of the base member 12.

[0189] Conveniently, the height of the projection 14 is between 10mm and 60mm. More typically the projection 14 is between 15mm and 40mm high, such as about 25mm high. These dimensions are based on users of average height and build. It is envisaged that there may be circumstances, for particularly small or large users, where the projection 14 needs to be higher or even much higher than 60mm.

[0190] Conveniently the projection 14 could be height adjustable. This could be achieved by threading of the projection 14 into the base member 12, such that threaded rotation of the projection 14 into and out of the base member 12 causes the height of the projection 14 to decrease and increase, respectively, with respect to the upper curved surface 20 of the base member 12.

[0191] Typically, the projection 14 is substantially square at the distal end 70. Conveniently, the distal end 72 has an area of between 200mm2(about 14mm x 14mm) and 1,200mm2(about 35mm x 35mm), such as about 400mm2(about 20mm x 20mm). Conveniently, the projection 14 splays outwardly from the distal end 72 towards the proximal end 70 (where the projection 14 joins the upper curved surface 20).

[0192] Typically, the projection 14 is oriented with its major diagonal axis substantially parallel to the side walls 22, particularly as shown inand.

[0193] Typically, the projection 14 is attached to the base member 12 by a bolt or screw (not shown). Conveniently the bolt or screw is threaded into a hole (not shown) in the base member 12. The base member 12 may be provided with a relatively hard block for receiving the bolt or screw and retaining it and thereby preventing the projection 14 from detaching from the base member 12.

[0194] Typically, the projection 14 is located between an apex 48 of the upper curved surface 20 and the front wall 24, as shown inand.

[0195] Optionally, as shown in, two of the projections 14 could both be arranged on the upper curved surface 20, provided they are on opposite sides of the apex 48 of the upper curved surface 20. In this configuration the appliance can be used from either end. Alternatively, the projection located between the apex 48 of the upper curved surface and the rear wall can be used to contact points higher up the user’s body than the projection located between the apex 48 of the upper curved surface and the front wall. It is not intended that the user use both projections at the same time for contacting two points longitudinally spaced along their body.

[0196] Where two projections are provided on the upper curved surface, it is intended that only one be attached to the base member at a time.

[0197] Conveniently, the projection 14 could have a removable cover (not shown) locatable upon its distal end 72.

[0198] Conveniently, the removable covers could be of different shapes to alter the focus of the pressure at the specific location of the user’s body. This may be useful where the user is particularly sensitive to pain, in which case the shape of the cover could be varied to reduce the focus of the pressure applied by the projection 14 so as to reduce the user’s experience of the pain from the pressure applied by the projection 14. Alternatively, the removable covers could be narrower at their upper end so as to make the projection 14 sharper to increase the application of pressure to the user’s body, where desired.

[0199] Conveniently, the projection 14 could be removable from the base member 12 or retractable into the base member 12, to render the upper curved surface 20 smooth, for storage and transportation purposes.

[0200] Further, multiple of the appliances 100 may be stacked one upon the other, for convenient transportation, by first removing the projections 14.

[0201] Conveniently, one or more projections 14 could be stackable one upon the other to increase the height of the projection 14 above the upper curved surface 20.

[0202] Conveniently, one or more of the projections 14 could be nested one around the other to increase height and / or width of the projection 14.

[0203] Also, the height of the projections 14 could be varied to suit different users and different parts of the user’s body 132, by changing the number of and / or the height of the projections 14 attached to the anchor / rivnut 122 by the bolt 126.

[0204] Second Embodiment.

[0205] toshow an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The appliance 100 is similar to the appliance 10, and like numerals denote like parts. The appliance 100 is different to the appliance 10 in that the appliance 100 has a hollow base member 110 formed of thermosetting plastic (also referred to as thermoplastic), such as, for example, ABS plastics material. The appliance 100 has a different mounting mechanism for the projection 14.

[0206] Typically, the ABS has a thickness of around 6mm to provide adequate rigidity once formed into the shape of the base member 110. The external shape of the base member 110 is substantially the same as the external shape described in relation to the base member 12, shown in.

[0207] Typically, the base member 110 is formed by vacuum forming a sheet of ABS plastics material (for thermosetting the plastic onto a mould). The process of vacuum forming of sheet ABS is generally known in the art. A suitable process of vacuum forming of the hollow base member 110 includes the steps of:making a mould that is the shape of the hollow base member 110, but slightly smaller to allow for the thickness of the ABS material (typically about 6mm), the mould is to be reused with a vacuum machine for making many hollow base members 110,clamping a sheet of ABS in a substantially rigid frame,heating of the sheet of ABS to between 280 to 380oC, typically around 300oC (although the actual temperature required will depend upon the plastics material used),continuing to heat the sheet of ABS until the centre region of the sheet sags to a distance of more than about 30% of the height of the mould shape,pressing a mould of complementary shape to the shape required for the base member 110, into the heated ABS sheet,applying vacuum pressure (such as with a vacuum press) between the mould and the sheet in order to remove the air between the sheet and the mould. This causes the ABS sheet to conform to the shape of the mould and thereby take on the shape of the mould,allowing the moulded ABS sheet to cool for a short time, so it is cool enough to touch, andseparating the mould from the moulded sheet of ABS.

[0208] A cutting die may be used to remove the excess plastics material from the moulded sheet prior to separating the mould from the moulded sheet. Alternatively, the excess material may be removed after separation from the mould, either with a cutting die or by manual operation.

[0209] By this process a sheet of ABS is formed into the shape of the base member 110. Also, by this process the base member 110 is hollow, with a convex outer portion and a concave inner portion.

[0210] This process is often referred to as thermoforming. See for example Alroy in patent US3802819 and Huttig et al in patent US6241457, both Alroy and Huttig provide insight in the construction and operation of thermoforming machines that are considered suitable for making the hollow base member 110.

[0211] The thickness of the ABS is chosen so that it can support the force of the weight of a user without significant deformation. More particularly the ABS thickness is chosen to support the force of the weight of the user applied to the upper curved surface 20 of the base member 110, via the projection 14, without substantial deformation of the base member 110. Typically, a thickness of about 6mm of ABS sheet is sufficient to support the force of the weight of the user applied via the projection 14.

[0212] It is to be noted that other thermosetting plastics could be used to make the hollow base member 110, provided the plastics have the tensile strength to withstand the force of the weight of the user applied via the projection 14.

[0213] The hollow base member 110 has a hole 120, extending through it. The hole 120 is typically located in a region intermediate of the peripheral extent of the upper curved surface 20. Conveniently the hole 120 is countersunk on the upper side of the upper curved surface 20, particularly as shown inand. Typically, as shown in, the upper curved surface 20, in the region immediately around the hole 120, has a shoulder 121 which is thicker than the rest of the upper curved surface 20. The shoulder 121 is intended to reinforce the hole 120 for supporting the projection 14 and preventing the projection from inadvertently detaching from the upper curved surface 20.

[0214] The hollow base member 110 also has an anchor 122 conveniently formed into the hole 120. Typically, the anchor 122 is internally threaded and may be in the form of a blind rivet nut, such as, for example, a rivnut 122 (see Waner in US219199 for details regarding rivnuts).

[0215] Typically, the rivnut 122 is formed into the hole 120 during the moulding of the base member 110. Alternatively, the rivnut 122 could be expanded into the hole 120 after formation of the base member 110. Further, the anchor 122 could be made in two or more parts, with one part inserted into the hole 120 from the upper face 34 and the other part inserted into the hole 120 from the lower face 36, and the two parts threaded together into the hole 120 to secure the anchor 122 into the base member 110 and support the projection 14.

[0216] Particularly as shown in, the rivnut 122 is provided with a washer 124 located adjacent and at least partially in contact with the lower face 36 of the upper curved surface 20. The washer 124 secures the rivnut 122 into the base member 110 against lateral displacement that may otherwise be caused by the projection 14.

[0217] The anchor also comprises a bolt 126 threadedly engaged with the rivnut 122, as shown in. The bolt 126 is inserted into a longitudinal hole 140 (seeto) in the or each projection 14 (three projections are shown inand) and threaded into the rivnut 122 to secure the projections 14 to the base member 110. Typically, the longitudinal hole 140 has a countersunk shoulder 142 at its upper end, particularly as shown inand. The countersunk shoulder 142 is oriented to receive the head of the bolt 126 to retain the projection 14 whilst avoiding contact between the body 132 of the user 130 and the head of the bolt 126.

[0218] The projection 14, particularly as shown inmay be hollow, with reinforcing ribs 144 extending from the hole 140 outwardly and spanning the internal space of the projection 14 between the proximal end 70 and the distal end 72.

[0219] The projection 14 could be provided with alignment members to keep longitudinally adjacent projections 14 aligned, so that the projections 14 do not rotate about the bolt 126 when the user 130 lays on the appliance 10, 100. Also the alignment members serve to keep the projections 14 stacked one upon the other, whilst resisting the force of the weight of the body 132 or the user 130.

[0220] Third Embodiment.

[0221] toshow an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The appliance 200 is similar to the appliance 100, and like numerals denote like parts. The appliance 200 is different to the appliance 100 in that the appliance 200 has, in place of the rivnut 120, with a metal collar 210 embedded into the base member 110. The metal collar 210 receives the bolt 126 for mounting the projection 14. Also, the bolt 126 is provided with a wingnut 212 for securing the projections 14 onto the base member 110.

[0222] Conveniently, the metal collar 210 is T-shaped in longitudinal cross-section with a central hole dimensioned to receive the bolt 126. The T-shaped portion is designed to be retained within the base member 110 and support the projections 14 as shown in.

[0223] Typically, the base member 110 is thicker on its underside 37 for reinforcing and strengthening the base member 110 for resisting the compressive force of the wingnut 211, as shown in.

[0224] Conveniently the bolt 126 has a hexagonal head 220 for mating with a corresponding hexagonal recess 222 in the upper end of each of the projections 14, particularly as shown in. The hexagonal engagement is to hold the bolt 126 still as the wingnut 212 is threaded onto the bolt 126 to attach the projections 14 onto the base member 110.

[0225] It is to be noted that in this embodiment the bolt 126 needs to be threaded along most of its length in order to allow for attachment of differing numbers of projections 14 of differing thicknesses. Alternatively, bolts 126 of differing lengths could be provided.

[0226] The advantage of the third embodiment is simpler construction and lower manufacturing cost.

[0227] Fourth Embodiment.

[0228] andshow an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The appliance 300 is similar to the appliance 200, and like numerals denote like parts. The appliance 300 is different to the appliance 20 in that the appliance 300 a hollow base member 310 formed of an upper portion 312 and a lower portion 314 that can be separated for different modes of use. Whilst being relatively flat the upper portion 312 still has apex 48 proximate the rear wall 26.

[0229] The upper portion 312 typically has a relatively “flat” shape compared with the appliances 10, 100 and 200. This flat shape is intended to provide more support for the user’s body and less intense experience of the projections 14.

[0230] The upper portion 312 also has a plurality of holes 320, conveniently disposed along its centreline, for receiving the bolt 126 and the projections 14. Each of the holes 320 has one of the metal collars 210 for retaining the bolt 126 and supporting the projections 14.

[0231] The upper portion 312 has a relatively thin front edge 322, which slowly rises to an apex 324 and quickly falls to a thin rear edge 426.

[0232] The lower portion 314 has a front wall 330, a rear wall 332, two side walls 334 connecting the front wall 330 to the rear wall 332. Typically, the walls 330 to 334 have an L-shaped cross-section, as shown in, with the short leg of the L uppermost, providing a shoulder 336 for supporting the upper portion 312. The lower portion 314 also has an arrangement of lugs 340 all disposed in the same direction for releasably connecting the upper portion 312 to the lower portion 314. Each of the lugs has a vertical shaft 342 and a head 344. The head 344 is disposed substantially at 90 degrees to the shaft 342 and directed towards the front wall 330.

[0233] The upper portion 312 has a plurality of recesses (not shown) in its periphery, disposed in combination for receiving the arrangement of lugs 340. Connection of the upper portion 312 to the lower portion 314 is achieved by lowering the upper portion 312 so the combination of the recesses receive the arrangement of lugs 340. The upper portion 312 is then pushed towards the rear wall 332 of the lower portion 314 to lock the upper portion 312 to the lower portion 314.

[0234] The appliance 300 can then be operated in the same manner as the appliances 10, 100, 200 and 300. Except, that the upper portion 312 can be operated without the lower portion 314 being attached. In this regard the lower portion 314 is used to raise the height of the support portion 312 when needed.

[0235] It is to be noted that the lower portion 314 has a recess 350 for receiving the wingnut 212 and the bolt 126.

[0236] It is envisaged that the lower extremities of the lower portion 314 could be terminated in a panel which connects and spans the walls 330 to 334. Such an arrangement turns the appliance 300 into a container in which accessories for the appliance 300 can be conveniently stored.

[0237] Alternative Embodiment.

[0238] Conveniently, as shown in, a soft pillow 400 may be located upon the upper curved surface 22 of the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 The soft pillow 400 is intended to be disposed remote from the projection 14. The soft pillow 400 is designed to support a user’s head whilst the user rests their back, or legs, or the like, upon the projection 14. Typically, a flexible web 410 (such as a towel or the like washable material) is attached around the pillow 400, by a sleeve 412, formed in the web 410, and laid over and / or around the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300. The web 410 also has a hole 414 disposed to allow the projection 14 to pass through it. The purpose of the web 410 is to maintain the orientation and location of the soft pillow 400 with respect to the projection 14 and the upper curved surface 20, so as to resist the soft pillow 400 being pushed away from the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 by the force of the weight of the user’s head on the soft pillow 400.

[0239] The soft pillow 400 could be at least partly inflatable for convenient storage within the base member 12, 110, 310.

[0240] Conveniently, as shown in, the base member 12, 110, 310 could include a storage device for retaining the projections 14, when not in use. In one form the storage device is one or more posts located internally of the base member 12, 110, 310 and disposed substantially horizontally. The or each post is shaped to receive and retain one or more of the projections 14, when not in use.

[0241] Alternatively, the storage device could be a box type retainer, with a removable lid, located internally of the base member 12, 110, 310 and of sufficient size to receive the unused projections 14.

[0242] Alternatively, the storage device could be in the form of magnetic retainers located internally of the base member 12, 110, 310 and the projections 14 could include a metals material component oriented for attraction to and storage by the magnetic retainers, when not in use.

[0243] Where the base member 12, 110, 310 has two of the projections 14, the user can user the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 from either end 24 or 26.

[0244] Alternatively, the projection 14 located between the apex 48 of the upper curved surface and the rear wall 26 can be used to contact points higher up the user’s body 132 than the projection located between the apex 48 of the upper curved surface and the front wall 24 (refer to). It is not intended that the user use both projections 14 at the same time for contacting two points longitudinally spaced along their body 132.

[0245] That is, where two projections 14 are provided on the upper curved surface, the user 130 only attaches one of the projections 14 to the base member 12 at a time.

[0246] Bridge Between Embodiments.

[0247] All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive or non-operable. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0248] First Embodiment Use.

[0249] In use, the appliance 10, of the first embodiment of the present invention, is rested upon a floor or wall or the like and a user rests a part of their body upon the appliance 10, seeto. More particularly, the user rests a specific location of their body that is experiencing tension or pain onto the projection 14 and the area of their body (or neck or legs or arms] around the specific location rests upon the upper face 34 of the upper curved surface 20 of the base member 12.

[0250] A typical orientation of a user 130 upon the appliance 10, in accordance with the previous paragraph, is shown in. In this orientation the user 130 reclines their body 132 upon the appliance 10 such that part of their gluteus maximus muscle 133 (often referred to as “glutes” and colloquially referred to as the user’s “bum”) rests upon the projection 14. At the same time the remainder of the gluteus maximus muscle rests upon the upper face 34 of the upper curved surface 20. The user 130 also bares some of their weight upon their forearms 134, hands 135 and their feet 136.

[0251] The user adjusts the amount of pressure applied by the projection 14 to the specific location, inthe glutes, by varying the amount of their weight they support with their forearms 134, hands 135 and feet 136. In this manner the amount of pressure applied, and the amount of subsequent tension and pain experienced at the specific location can be adjusted by the user 130, so as to be within their pain and discomfort tolerance levels. Within this process the user 130 relaxes their body onto the projection and the upper curved surface 20, to the extent that they can relax into or with the tension and into or with the pain.

[0252] The user 130 can also make small (or large) adjustments to their position upon the projection 14 for adjusting the pressure delivered to their body 132 via the projection 14, so as to maximise the tension or pain within their tolerance levels, whilst relaxing as much as possible. This process has the effect of causing the tension or pain that was already in the user’s body 132 to either disperse and become dull or otherwise to intensify. Whether the tension or pain decreases and increases depends upon how chronic the tension or pain is. This adjustment of the user’s weight upon the projection 14 allows a more intense experience of the application of the pressure from the projection 14, which can speed up the process of release of the tension or pain from the user’s body 132 and hence speed up the healing achieved by the treatment of the user 130 with the appliance 10.

[0253] Typically, the user rests against the projection 14 (and the upper face 34 of the upper curved surface 20 of the base member 12) for as long as is needed for the tension or pain in their body to subside. In some cases this does not occur, and the pain continues to increase. In the latter case the user 130 ceases the treatment session and undertakes another treatment session at a later time, perhaps the next day; and continues this cycle until the pain does subside.

[0254] This process of applying pressure to a point of tension or pain is typically referred to as trigger point holding and trigger point release.

[0255] In this manner the appliance 10 of the present invention can be used to relieve tension and pain from various parts of the body 132, including, for example, lower back, upper back, hips, legs, arms, neck, and coccyx. It is anticipated that the appliance 10 could also be used to help relieve tension and pain from the user’s head.

[0256] The height of the projection 14 may need to be changed depending upon the region of the body 132 being treated. For example, when treating the neck a long projection 14 may be needed, as compared with treating the shoulders, where a short projection 14 is needed. Also, projections 14 of differing heights may be needed for people of different flesh thickness, a user with more flesh needing a higher projection 14 than a user with less flesh. Further, people with low tolerance for pain may need to use shorter projections 14 than people with high tolerance for pain.

[0257] When applying pressure to the coccyx, for example, a shorter projection 14 is to be used, because there is generally less flesh over the coccyx.

[0258] It is not intended to use the projection 14 to apply pressure directly onto the user’s spine.

[0259] It is intended that the user 130 of the appliance 10 replicate painful every day positions of posture when they are using the appliance 10 for treatment. For example, if a particular sitting position on a chair or on the floor causes them pain, then when using the appliance 10 they are to position their body in substantially the same posture. In this manner the appliance 10 of the present invention can better help the user 130 to relieve their tension and pain.

[0260] It is intended that the appliance 10 be used in cycles to effect treatment. For example, a cycle could involve using the appliance 10 on specific painful points several times or more per day for 1 to 3 days, to the extent that the user 130 can tolerate the pain. And then cease treatment of those specific locations for several days to allow the body 132 to recover, and for the user 130 to assess the progress of the treatment.

[0261] The fundamental process for using the appliance 10 includes:finding a specific location of tension or pain in the body 132 (the pain spot),resting that specific location onto the projection 14,relaxing the rest of the body around the projection 14 and onto the upper face 34 upper curved surface 20 of the base member 12,embracing the discomfort (relaxing into the pain) of applying the pressure of the force of the weight of the body 132 via the projection 14 onto the body 130,making adjustments of the position and orientation of the user’s body on the projection 14 to maximise the tension or pain to an amount the user can barely tolerate,continuing to apply pressure to the specific location until either the pain releases or the pain becomes unbearable, andrepeating this process of treatment cycles until the pain releases, which may take multiple treatments over multiple days and multiple treatment cycles.

[0262] When using the appliance 10 on the lower back, after resting the specific location onto the projection 14, gently and slowly move one leg at a time to increase the pressure applied via the projection onto the specific location, to the degree of reasonable tolerance (as much as the user 130 can tolerate for a reasonable period of time – typically 5 to 10 minutes). This can also involve complex movements of the legs to assist in the application of the asymmetric pressure to the specific location.

[0263] When using the appliance 10 on the upper back, after resting the specific location onto the projection 14, gently and slowly move one arm at a time to increase the application of pressure to the body 132 via the projection 14. This can also involve complex movements of the arms to assist in the application of the asymmetric pressure to the specific location.

[0264] It is important to experiment with using subtle movements of the arms, legs and / or body, while applying pressure via the projection 14 to find the maximum degree of pressure and hence tension or pain, for accelerating the healing process effected by this process.

[0265] Where it is desired to change the focus of the application of pressure from the projection 14 to the user’s body 132 the removable covers of different shapes can be fitted upon the projection 14. Different shapes of the removable covers can be used to vary the focus from very sharp focus to very dull focus.

[0266] Please note, the more the user 130 can relax through the process and surrender to the discomfort, the more effective and speedy are the results experienced from the treatment.

[0267] It is to be noted that it is not necessary to treat one side of the body 132 and then the corresponding opposite side of the body 132 with the appliance 10. It is intended that each point of tension or pain be treated in turn. In this regard the appliance 10 is asymmetric in its operation. The asymmetry is important because the healing effect of the appliance 10 is achieved by the application of pressure to one point of tension or pain at a time.

[0268] It is not the operation of the appliance 10 to apply pressure to multiple points of tension or pain at the same time. It is also not the operation of the appliance 10 to apply pressure to symmetric points of the body 132 (that is, on opposite sides of the spine, for example left and right glutes) at the same time. For this reason, there is only one projection 14. Another reason for having only one projection 14 is that the user 130 is to concentrate on the tension or pain in just one location on the body 132 at a time.

[0269] It is to be noted that the process of use of the appliance 10 is not very effective if more than one point of tension or pain is sought to be treated at the same time. This is particularly true because the user 130 will need to make adjustments to the position of their body in different directions for each point of tension or pain, and the movement required for one point of tension or pain will likely be counter to the movement needed for another point of tension or pain. Hence only one point of tension or pain can be treated at a time.

[0270] Second Embodiment Use.

[0271] In use, the appliance 100, in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention, is operated in substantially the same manner as the appliance 10 of the first embodiment.

[0272] The main difference with the appliance 100 is the operation of the rivnut 122 in providing an anchor for the projection 14. In this case the washer 124 rests against the shoulder 121 of the hole 120 and resists lateral movement of the rivnut 122 from the force of the user’s body 132 weight applied to the one projection 14 or stack of multiple projections 14, which are attached to the rivnut 122 by the bolt 126.

[0273] Also, the height of the projections 14 can be varied to suit different users and different parts of the user’s body 132, by changing the number of and / or the height of the projections 14 attached to the anchor / rivnut 122 by the bolt 126.

[0274] Further, multiple of the appliances 100 may be stacked one upon the other, for convenient transportation, by first removing the projections 14.

[0275] Still further, the shape and width of the projections 14 can be varied by fitting removable covers (not shown) of differing shapes and sizes upon the projections 14 to alter the focus of the pressure onto the body 132 of the user 130. The covers could be narrower or broader than the projections 14.

[0276] Third Embodiment Use.

[0277] In use, the appliance 200, in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention, is operated in substantially the same manner as the appliance 100 of the second embodiment.

[0278] The main difference with the operation of the appliance 200 is that the bolt 126 is inserted into the number of projections 14 that are to be used and then the bolt 126 is inserted into the metal collar 210 and the wingnut 212 threaded onto the bolt 126 to anchor for the projection 14 to the base member 110.

[0279] In this embodiment the bolt 126 is prevented from rotating with respect to the projections 14 by the engagement of its hexagonal head 220 with the hexagonal recess 222 of the projections 14.

[0280] Fourth Embodiment Use.

[0281] In use, the appliance 300, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention, is operated in substantially the same manner as the appliance 200 of the third embodiment.

[0282] The main difference with the appliance 300 is the ability to assemble and disassemble the upper portion 312 from the lower portion 314.

[0283] Also, the location of the projection 14 can be adjusted by repositioning along the base member 310 with any one of the holes 320 disposed along the centreline 21 of the appliance 300.

[0284] Use of Alternative Embodiments.

[0285] In use, the soft pillow 400 is inserted into the sleeve 412 of the towel 410 and laid upon the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 with the projection 14 passing through the hole 414 in the towel 410. The user then lays their body upon the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 as described hereinabove, and rests their head upon the soft pillow 400.

[0286] Accessories of the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 can be placed into the storage device inside the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 so that they do not get misplaced when not in use, and for convenient transportation. In this context, accessories includes projections 14, bolts 126 and wingnuts 212. Where the storage device is a box type receptacle, located in the underside 37 of the base member 12, a lid is conveniently removed from the box, the accessories placed inside the box, and the lid re-attached to the box.

[0287] It is envisaged that the soft pillow 400 and the towel 410 may also be stored within the concave portion of the base member 12.

[0288] Typical Method of Operation.

[0289] The following method of operation of the focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention is suggested. This method follows the images ofto.

[0290] First, place the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 on a floor of a room, with the lower support surface 50 resting on the floor and the projection 14 disposed upwardly from the floor.

[0291] Second, a user seeking pain relief for their back (or the like) sits on the floor, next to and in front of the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 adjacent the front edge 24, 322 of the appliance 10,100, 200, 300 at which the projection 14 is located. It is to be noted that the acute angle A of the projection 14 is directed at its distal end 72 towards the front edge 24, 322 and thus towards the user seated in front of the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300.

[0292] Third, the user slowly leans backwards towards the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 with the projection 14 aligned with a tender or sore area of the user’s back (herein referred to as the “sore spot”), as shown in.

[0293] Fourth, once the tender or sore area contacts with the projection 14, the user slowly increases the amount of their body weight applied to the sore spot against the projection 14, as shown in.

[0294] Fifth, the user starts taking slow and deep breathes as their body weight continues to be applied to the sore spot onto the projection 14. At this time the site of the soreness or pain may move or shift (the sore spot may begin to move). The soreness or pain may start to feel different, such as, for example, more or less painful.

[0295] Sixth, the user then subtly moves their body to slightly change the contact between the sore spot and the projection 14 (herein referred to as “adjusting the position of the body on the projection 14”), seeto. This adjustment may result in a bodily sensation that feels like shooting electrical shocks radiation from the sore spot outwardly or along parts of the body, or burning pain or the like. We believe that these electrical shocks are associated with re-awakening of the function of the area around the sore spot.

[0296] The above method of operation is varied slightly depending upon what area of the user’s body which pain relief is sought. Increases in the intensity of the pressure applied by the projection 14 to the body 132 of the user 130 can be achieved, for example, by the user raising and lowering their arm as shown inand, and by the user 130 turning their head left and right as shown in. Treatment of the user’s neck is possible as shown in.

[0297] Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0298] Typical Method of Operation for Lower Back.

[0299] In relation to the LOWER BACK, often the site of the pain is in the gluteus maximus and / or the gluteus medius. There are various nerves in this region that deliver pain signals to the brain. These nerves include the superior cluneal nerves, the superior gluteal nerve, and the sciatic nerve.

[0300] In this case, with the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 located on a floor, the user first sits in a relatively upright manner on the floor in front of the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300.

[0301] The user places their feet and hands (or elbows) on the floor over the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 as shown in, so that the sore spot rests upon the projection 14.

[0302] The user then lowers one knee laterally from a substantially vertical position, as shown in, to a substantially horizontal position, as shown in. Raising and lowering the knee in this manner amplifies the sensation the user experiences from the contact with the projection 14. This process has the effect of increasing the rate of release of the tension and pain from the user’s body at and around the site of contact with the projection 14.

[0303] Typical Method of Operation Against a Wall.

[0304] In another arrangement the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 can be positioned between a user and a vertical structure, such as, for example, a wall of a room of a building. In this arrangement the user can more easily control the amount of force applied by their body onto the projection 14. Pressure against the base member 12, 310 is required to hold the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 between the user and the wall. That is, the area of contact of the user’s body on the base member 12, 310 is much larger than the area of contact of the user’s body with the projection 14. Hence, even minimal force can hold the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 against the wall whilst limiting the pain sensation of the user.Examples

[0305] The following examples of the acupressure appliance of the present invention are known to be effective for use in relieving tension and pain in a user’s body.

[0306] [In one example of the present invention, particularly as shown into, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance is made of ABS by injection moulding with two substantially parallel side walls connected by an upper curved surface convex in one direction and planar in an orthogonal direction. The side walls each being about 350mm long, 20mm high at its front, 50mm high at its rear and 80mm high at its maximum height. The upper curved surface extends about 400mm between the two side walls. The thickness of the side walls and the upper curved surface is about 6mm. The appliance is hollow and the lower ends of the side walls and the upper curved surface define the lower surface of the appliance for resting upon a planar surface, such as a floor. There are three projections positioned one upon the other. The projections respectively about 10mm high, 20mm high and 20mm high. The projections are disposed upwardly from the upper curved surface of the base member on a bolt attached to the base member. Each of the projections has a distal end with an area of between 19mm x 19mm and a proximal area of about 20mm x 20mm. The tapering of the projections from the proximal end to the distal end is to facilitate removal from a plastics injection mould used for their formation, and is not important to the operation of the appliance.

[0307] In another example of the present invention, particularly as shown in, toand, the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance is formed from a solid block of wood in which the lower support surface has a transverse width of about 410mm, a longitudinal length of about 350mm. The side walls are substantially vertical and have a height of 10mm at the front wall and a height of 50mm at the rear wall and a maximum height of 75mm. The upper curved surface is convex in the longitudinal direction with a curved length of 370mm and is planar in the transverse direction with a transverse width of 410mm. There is a single projection located between an apex of the upper curved surface and the front wall, the projection having a square base 20mm x 20mm and a height of 17mm. The projection also has a central hole into which a screw is passed and fixes the projection to the base member.

[0308] It is to be noted that the dimensions of the appliance, referred to herein, are based on users of substantially average height and build. It is envisaged that there may be circumstances, for particularly small or large users, where the dimensions of the appliance need to be respectively smaller or larger than the examples stated herein.

[0309] It is to be understood that reference to “one example” or “an example” of the invention, or the like (e.g. “such as”) herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and / or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

[0310] Accordingly, one example may demonstrate certain aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are demonstrated in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled user in performing the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention, in any way, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0311] Variations, modifications and / or enhancements of one or more of the embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor(s) expects skilled artisans may employ such variations as appropriate to their circumstances, and the inventor(s) understands that the claimed subject matter could be practiced other than as specifically described herein. For example, the projection 14 could be located in a different position on the base member 12. Also, the site at which the projection 14 attaches to the upper curved surface 20 could be varied by the user 130. That is, there could be multiple sites at which the projection 14 can attach to the upper curved surface 20, with just one of the sites being in use at any one time, and the projection 14 being movable between the various sites.

[0312] The asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention is suitable for use in treatments of the human body 132 for alleviating tension and pain. Through this alleviation the body 132 is better able to move and blood flow is increased, both of which result in reduced pain and improved mobility and performance. For example, treatment of chronic pain conditions with the appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention are possible.

[0313] The asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention resides and operates in the field of treatment of the human body 132 and healing of chronic conditions involving tension and pain.

[0314] The consequence of the use of the asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance 10, 100, 200, 300 of the present invention is that users experience less or even no pain, achieve more mobility and freedom of movement – this we refer to as “healing”.

[0315] The specification uses the following reference signs:10asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance12base member14projection20upper curved surface21centreline22side wall24front wall26rear wall28lower edge29lower edge30front edge32rear edge34upper face36lower face37underside40upper edge42lower edge44front edge46rear edge48apex50lower surface60lip70proximal end72distal end100appliance110hollow base member120hole121shoulder122anchor / rivnut124washer126bolt130user132body133glutes134forearms135hands136feet140longitudinal hole142countersunk144reinforcing ribs200appliance210metal collar212wingnut220hexagonal head222hexagonal recess300appliance310hollow base member312upper portion314lower portion320holes322thin front edge324apex326thin rear edge330front wall332rear wall334side wall336shoulder340arrangement of lugs342vertical shaft344head400soft pillow410flexible web412sleeve414holeAangle of the projection to a vertical of the lower surface 50

[0316] Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise, the word “preferably” or variations such as “preferred”, is to be understood to denote that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

[0317] This specification has been prepared and filed from an Australian jurisdiction. Any term or definition that is ambiguous or uncertain under another jurisdiction should be considered and interpreted in accordance with Australian patent law.

Claims

An asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance comprising:a base member comprising an upper curved surface and a lower support surface spaced from and connected to the upper curved surface, the lower surface being configured to allow the base member to rest between a user and a generally planar support surface, the upper curved surface being convex in at least one direction, and the upper curved surface being substantially rigid for supporting a force exerted by the weight of the user’s body when rested upon the upper curved surface; andone projection removably attached to the base member and disposed upwardly, the projection being oriented to contact with a specific location of the user’s body at which tension or pain is present;wherein the projection applies asymmetric pressure to the specific location of the user’s body for promoting modification of the tension or pain, whilst the upper curved surface supports an area of the user’s body around the said specific location to promote relaxation; andwherein at least part of the force of the user’s body weight is asymmetrically focussed on the projection; andwherein the location at which the projection contacts the user’s body can be changed by the user repositioning their body upon the upper curved surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, wherein the base member has a dimension of at least 400mm wide across its plane of curvature and a dimension of at least 350mm along its plane of curvature.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the lower surface of the base member is defined by a collection of 4 substantially continuous edges bounding the base member, and wherein the edges are coplanar for resting upon the support surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 3, in which the lower surface also comprises a friction increasing device for increasing frictional engagement of the lower surface with the support surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the upper curved surface is convex along its longitudinal direction, and substantially flat in its transverse direction, wherein the user lays their body substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction and upon the upper curved surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 5, in which the upper curved surface is more convex towards one of its ends and less convex towards its other end, and wherein there is an apex part way along the length of the upper curved surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the base member also comprises a recess dimensioned for the user to grip with their hands for carrying the acupressure appliance.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the projection is disposed at an angle A of about 30 degrees with respect to a vertical measured from the lower surface.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the projection has a cross sectional shape chosen from one of a square, a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a hemisphere, and wherein a distal end of the projection has a surface area of between 200mm2and 1,200mm2.The acupressure appliance of Claim 9, in which the projection has a distal end that is shaped substantially like a fingertip of a human hand.The acupressure appliance of Claim 9, in which the projection has a height dimension of between 10mm and 60mm.The acupressure appliance of Claim 9, in which the projection also comprises an additional element chosen from a group including a magnet element, a heater element, an electrical stimulator element, a mechanical stimulator element, an electromagnetic radiator element and an ultrasonic stimulator element.The acupressure appliance of Claim 9, in which the projection is retractable into the base member.The acupressure appliance of Claim 9, also comprising removable covers shaped to fit upon the projection to change the shape of the projection for changing the pressure applied to the user’s body without removing and replacing the projection.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, also comprising a flexible web with a hole intermediate its surface for receiving the projection when laid upon the upper curved surface, and a resilient pillow attached to the flexible web and spaced from the base member for receiving the user’s head.The acupressure appliance of Claim 15, in which the flexible web has a transversely disposed sleeve for removably receiving the pillow.The acupressure appliance of Claim 1, in which the upper curved surface is separable from the lower surface for reducing the thickness of the acupressure appliance.A method acupressure appliance of self-massaging to reduce tension and pain in a human body, the method including the steps of:providing an asymmetrically focussed acupressure appliance comprising one projection for bearing against a user’s body, and a base member, the base member comprising an upper curved surface and a lower surface, the upper curved surface being convex in at least one direction, the upper curved surface being substantially rigid for supporting a force exerted by the weight of an area of the user’s body rested upon it, and the projection being disposed outwardly from the upper curved surface to contact with the user’s body, the lower surface being spaced from the upper curved surface and configured to allow the base member to rest between the user and a support surface;positioning the lower surface against the support surface for supporting force of the weight of the user’s body,positioning the user’s body upon the projection,supporting the user’s body upon the upper curved surface about the projection to promote relaxation of the body,adjusting the location at which the projection contacts with the user’s body by repositioning the user’s body upon the projection to apply asymmetric pressure thereto to adjust the level of pain experienced by the user, andmaintaining the contact of the projection with the user’s body for a period of time sufficient to modify the pain experienced by the user.The method of Claim 18, also including the step of the user moving a part of their body remote from the location of the projection for instantaneous adjustment of the pressure between the projection and the user’s body.The method of Claim 19, also including the step of the user moving a part of their body chosen from at least one of their, arm, leg, body and head, the movement being performed whilst resting upon the projection and the upper curved surface.

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