Elastomeric Spine Band Garment for Proprioceptive Posture Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals face challenges in maintaining good posture due to a sedentary lifestyle, leading to poor posture habits that result in muscle imbalances, pain, and decreased efficiency in daily activities, with existing solutions requiring physical therapy or chiropractic interventions that are not always accessible or effective.
Innovation Solution
A posture improvement garment that provides neuromuscular stimulation through a combination of pressure, torque, and angle, using elastomeric materials to apply specific pressure to the skin, stimulating cutaneous nerve receptors and promoting proprioception to train muscles for proper posture through muscle memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional posture therapy (physical therapy or chiropractic interventions) is used, then posture improvement is achieved, but accessibility and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The garment enables users to self-administer posture therapy through proprioceptive stimulation. The elastomeric bands and textured panels automatically stimulate cutaneous nerve receptors when the user moves, providing continuous feedback without requiring external therapists or manual intervention. This transforms professional therapy into a self-service system that users can access anytime, anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment acts as an intermediary device between the user's body and the therapy process. Instead of direct manual manipulation by therapists, the garment's elastomeric bands and textured panels serve as intermediaries that apply controlled pressure and stimulation to specific body regions, translating movement into therapeutic feedback.
2Reliability
If the garment applies continuous pressure to stimulate nerve receptors, then proprioceptive feedback is enhanced, but user comfort may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The garment provides intermittent rather than continuous stimulation. The elastomeric bands and textured panels only apply pressure when the user moves or changes position, allowing relief during static periods. This periodic action maintains therapeutic effectiveness while reducing cumulative discomfort and skin irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment concentrates pressure and stimulation at specific localized points (cutaneous nerve receptors) rather than applying uniform pressure across large areas. The textured panels and elastomeric bands target specific regions like the back, shoulders, and posture-critical areas, providing intense focal stimulation with minimal overall pressure, thereby enhancing proprioceptive feedback while maintaining comfort.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The garment effectively trains muscles for optimal posture, reducing pain, improving biomechanics, and enhancing recovery by stimulating the sensory motor system, allowing for better alignment and movement efficiency, even during mentally or physically challenging activities.
Implementation Method 1
The garment is adapted to apply pressure to the surface of the user's skin in order to enhance neuromuscular stimulation thereto
Implementation Method 2
stimulating cutaneous nerve receptors and promoting proprioception to train muscles for proper posture through muscle memory
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed garment includes a bra. The bra includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion, and the bra is fabricated from an elastomeric material. The garment also includes a spine band attached to the posterior portion of the bra and fabricated from an elastomeric material. The spine band extends longitudinally across the posterior portion of the bra from a neck region of the bra toward a waist portion of the bra. In use, the spine band is positioned over a spine of a wearer and stimulates cutaneous nerve receptors in a portion of a wearer's skin underneath the spine band.