Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuous passive motion back support for a person comprising a fluid-inflatable bag disposed between a static structure and the back of a person, the fluid-inflatable bag including a back-engaging surface cyclically moveable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back-engaging surface thereby to cycle the lower back through a substantial range of lordosis, a conduit adapted to conduct the fluid between the reservoir or the atmosphere and the fluid-inflatable bag, and programmable circuitry for adjusting a voltage supplied to an electrically-powered pump, whereby fluid flow in the conduit is effected by adjustably operating the electrically-powered pump. Various multiple bag embodiments are disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing a baseline support pressure during continuous passive motion for the lower back of a person.

Abstract: Apparatus for cycling the lower back of a person through a substantial range of lordosis. The apparatus includes a substantially static structure adjacent to the back of a person and a force applying apparatus disposed between the static structure and the back of the person. The force applying apparatus includes a back engaging surface cyclically movable to increase and decrease the distance between the static structure and the back engaging surface so as to cycle the lower back through the range of lordosis. A transducer has an output responsive to the force between the back engaging surface and the lower back and the output of the transducer is utilized by the force applying apparatus to control the force applied to the back. Timing circuitry provides a force increasing period to increase the force applied to the back up to a preselected maximum and a force decreasing period to decrease the force on the back.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing force feedback in continuous passive motion systems for use in treating or preventing low back pain. A mechanism adjacent to a static back support is provided to initiate continuous passive motion for the lumbar area in order to produce substantial lordotic motion for the spine. A force measuring apparatus is provided for continuously measuring the force exerted by the mechanism on an individual's lumbar area and a system controls the force exerted by the mechanism in order to build up to and then maintain a predetermined force on the lumbar area of the user. Thereafter, a predetermined time is selected to allow the lordotic position of the spine to be returned to its original state.