Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving or preventing back pain and therapeutically treating back ailments by exerting suspensory force on the torso in the rib cage region through the connection of opposing sides of that region each to a strut which rests upon a surface on which the wearer is sitting or standing and is of a sufficient length to bear at least a portion of the body weight, thereby relieving weight from the lumbar region of the spine and further for cyclically stretching the lumbar region of the spine. The connection is made by means such as two corselets which are attached to struts, the lower ends of which form feet to rest on the surface on which the wearer is seated or is standing. Inhalation and exhalation and tightening or releasing of the stomach muscles by the wearer serve to cyclically increase the suspensory force and apparatus for mechanically assisting in this cyclical variation is provided.