Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for massaging and otherwise treating the hands, more specifically the nails and cuticles. A uniquely contoured hollow handrest of shell-like configuration which comfortably supports either hand with the fingers in outstretched, separate positions, is centered in a shallow container of treating oil. The inner periphery of the container includes a semi-annular barrier of oil-soaked sponge against which the fingernails and cuticles rest, and means for heating the oil above room temperature. The handrest is constructed to include a vibrator adjacent to its inner surface. Thus, the fingers and nails of a hand under treatment may be simultaneously soaked in hot oil and massaged with vibrations.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for treating and exercising the human body by suspending the body in an inverted position. The device includes a body supporting platform that is pivotally mounted on a fulcrum and adjustably coupled to a lower body supporting portion. The lower body supporting portion includes a first support arranged to extend under the arch portion of each foot. A second support is positioned to engage the heel portion of each foot and acts with a movable third support which engages the instep portion of each foot. The third support is mechanically biased to grasp and automatically restrain each foot upon pivotal displacement of the body supporting platform from a substantially upright position.

Abstract: A hand-held, easily maniputable exercise-massage device which enables the user to not only engage in arm and upper body exercise, but also allows for use of the device as a rolling or massaging implement for reducing tension and relieving body aches and pains. The device essentially comprises opposed spring-biased handle portions having mounted therebetween a plurality of roller members so that the user may distend the handles to obtain arm and hand exercising and may use the device for rolling action on the back of the neck or the like, to relieve tension, knotted muscles and, generally, impart a relaxing sensation to the user.

Abstract: A kinetic treatment table having a lifting mechanism to allow lowering of the kinetic treatment table close to the ground support surface and having a releasable connecting means to automatically connect or release the oscillating means from the kinetic treatment table and an adjusting means to vary the degree of oscillation of the kinetic treatment table.

Abstract: A massaging device designed for hydrotherapy is provided with an hydromechanical drive capable of operating effectively in any position, even when the device is held in a vertical position or upside down.The device comprises a paddle wheel (6) energized by water flowing from the mains through a duct (3) converging towards a distributor (5) from which the water flows tangentially to the wheel (6). Beyond the distributor, the water stream is smoothly guided by a gradually diverging arcuate side wall (16) towards an exhaust channel (18) lined by a concave wall (20) for directing the exhaust jet towards the massaging balls (12) which are freely rotating on studs (13) fixed on the tip of a drive shaft (11). This drive shaft is driven by the turbine wheel through a reducing gear enclosed in a water-tight housing (25), separated from the water circuit.

Abstract: A portable, compact foot treatment unit to be used either with or without water and capable of providing various combinations of heat and massage is disclosed. The unit includes a casing having a tub for receiving a liquid. Heat is provided both at the water line level and also below the foot rests to achieve a uniform temperature throughout the water bath. Other features that can be included are an improved vibrator assembly and foot rests having raised arch portions with anatomically designed features. The vibrator includes a C-shaped vibrator plate and a power transformer mounted at the upper end portion of the plate. The lower end portion of the plate is mounted in the casing at the level of the floor of the casing. The floor of the casing has a foot receiving section that has a specially formed anatomically shaped arch construction.

Abstract: This device is constructed in such a manner that a pump for suction and exhaust of air by an electric motor and a crank is provided with a funnel type cup by means of a detachable hose, and an opening portion of the cup is brought into contact with the part of the human body under pressure airtightly. Massage stimulation is performed by the air suction causing the swollen surface of the body and by the air exhaust (discharge) causing the pressure on the surface of the body. Moreover, the cup is provided with an electric heating illuminant to increase the massage stimulation effect by heated air or an electrode for generating low frequency pulse signal.

Abstract: The seat has a backrest with an adjustable vertebral support comprising two separate adjusting elements which act against the rear of the backrest cushion to vary the curvature and spinal support effect thereof, at two different levels in the heightwise direction of the backrest.

Abstract: Improvements in mechanisms and devices for reclining the recumbent human body in an inclined, head-downward position from an initial horizontal position and returning it to such horizontal position; improvements in user hand operated drive mechanisms wherein the reclined user of the device may readily affectuate and control both the rate and degree of recline and return in such devices; stabilizing mechanisms and constructions for smoothly, uniformly and dependably inclining and returning a seated or recumbent reclining device; improvements in reclining devices for use in seated or recumbent positions of the operator/user.

Abstract: In order to relieve the neck vertebrae or the lumbar vertebrae, a patient suspends himself, either by his head, using a Glisson sling, or by his feet, from a pivotable bracket mounted on one side of a support element which is connected to a counter-support by at least one flexible element which passes over the top of a door.

Abstract: An air bubble generating apparatus for use in a bathtub filled with hot water, which has two air bubble generating boards inside which spacers and central air passages are provided and which are capable of being bent at the middle portion thereof. A large number of air bubbles are genertaed by supplying compressed air into the air bubble generating boards with the apparatus disposed with one of the boards is positioned along the bottom of the bathtub and the other board along the side wall thereof, consequently to bring about a considerable massaging effect on the whole body of a subject.

Abstract: This invention is a spinal misalignment detective and corrective apparatus for the back. The invention is mounted on a vertically extending member such as a door jam and includes a base member with two wheels mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis. Connected to the base member are support arms for removably holding the apparatus to the door jam. Such operative connection is achieved through a clamping mechanism which urges the support arms into a holding position relative to the door jam.

Abstract: An improved percussor comprises an oscillating assembly having a reciprocating plunger, a first and second chamber and a gas tight seal therebetween when the plunger is at rest in a biased position, and gas inlet means for directing gas into the first chamber to begin to force the plunger downwardly against the biasing force, thereby unseating the gas seal between the chambers. The gas pressurizes the second chamber to force the plunger to a second position and the pressure is then relieved through a gas exit passageway. In response to the pressure drop, the plunger is returned to its original position. This plunger reciprocation is repeated rapidly to achieve the percussor action. In a preferred embodiment, a fluid containing chamber having exteriorly exposed fluid impermeable membrane engages the reciprocating plunger whereby the energy is directed through the liquid and membrane.

Abstract: A massaging apparatus comprises a series of massaging wheels mounted on a rotary shaft. A shifting shaft is arranged coaxially within the rotary shaft for shifting the latter in directions perpendicular to the rotary axis. A motor is coupled to both the rotary shaft and shifting shaft by means of a compact planetary type gearing which enables power to be split between the two shafts in an efficient manner so as to eliminate the need for the usual clutching mechanisms and their accompanying size and weight.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicular unit of a size sufficiently small to be transported across a body surface area to be massaged includes drive means for propelling the unit while imparting a massaging action to the area traversed and steering elements for steering the unit. A radio control receiver within the unit is responsive to a remotely located transmitter to generate signals which signals are translated through servo mechanism to control the speed and direction of movement of the unit. An element may be attached to the unit to provide a scratching action across the traversed area. The force of either or both the massaging and scratching actions may be varied by altering the weight of the unit.

Abstract: A massage instrument for the skin which comprises at least one active face on which there are provided a plurality of projecting spikes made of a flexible, elastically deformable material, wherein the spikes are constituted by intersecting or non-intersecting plates and are distributed in accordance with the angular orientation of their plates in at least two groups, the spikes of a same group being disposed, on the active face of the instrument, so as to alternate with the spikes of another same group.

Abstract: A cervical traction device in which the user, himself, applies the traction force. A harness which is adjustable both as to size and shape fits about the user's head between the occiput and forehead. A strap is attached to the harness and is used to apply traction thereto, the opposite ends of the strap being attached to the ends of a traction bar. The traction bar has attachment means at its center and to the left and right of center, a line or cable being selectively attached to one of these attachment means. The line fits through a suitable fitting so that it reverses direction to a position forward of the user's head where it is attached to a force indicator device which is within the user's view. Another line runs from the opposite end of the indicator device to a force input drive member adapted to be engaged by the user's feet.

Abstract: A headrest is provided for use with a chiropractic table and comprises a base plate and a strap for securing the base plate to the table. A support plate is hinged on one edge to one edge of the base plate so that the support plate is pivotal between an upper first position and a lower second position. A latch assembly retains the support plate in its upper first position but releases upon the application of a predetermined pressure on the support plate to permit the support plate to move to its lower second position.

Abstract: A device for applying compressive pressures against a patient's limb from a source of pressurized fluid comprising, an elongated pressure sleeve for enclosing a length of the patient's limb. The sleeve has a plurality of sets of adjoining laterally extending fluid pressure chambers, with the sets being progressively arranged longitudinally along the sleeve from a lower portion of the limb to an upper portion of the limb proximal the patient's heart relative to the lower portion. The sleeve has an opening communicating between a lower and an upper chamber in each of the sets. The device has a plurality of conduits separately communicating with the lower chambers in each of the sets, and a device for intermittently inflating the chambers through the conduits and for intermittently deflating the chambers.

Abstract: A vibratory massage device comprising a casing, a flat spring member which carries magnetically attractable masses adjacent opposed ends thereof, and electromagnetic means for vibrating the spring member and masses. By the improvement of this invention electromagnetic means comprising an integral core piece having a pair of parallel arms is provided, with surrounding electric coil means, with the parallel arms defining free ends generally V-shaped in cross section. The magnetically attractable masses include mating members positioned to magnetically interact with the free ends, and of a shape to fit in mating relation with the free ends. As the result of this, upon actuation of the electric coil means to create a pulsating magnetic field in the parallel arms, the spring member and masses are subjected to a pulsating magnetic force of improved strength for improved vibratory movement into and out of the mating relation.