Abstract: A rounded, pliable, resilient spinal support with straddling contours and defining slopes which gives direct, firm-felt support and massaging therapy to the spine. The round flexing pivot (10) fits between a backrest and the recesses of the user's back, anchored in place by sacral stabilizer (12) and the sacrum. Stabilizer (12) is thin for comfort and allows defining slope (14) to push downward against the sacrum, while the thicker lumbar arch support (16) pushes in against the lumbar region of the back, and defining slope (18) pushes upward against the lower thoracic region of the back. The thin, tapered thoracic stabilizer (20) allows the shoulders to push against the backrest and to anchor my support in place at the upper end. This interrelated pushing encourages the "S"-shape curvature of the spine desired for good posture.

Abstract: A cervical traction and exercise device adapted to be secured about the head and neck for imparting the desired lordotic shape into the cervical region of the spine and manipulating the spine and surrounding tissue to promote fluid and cellular exchange in and around the intervertebral discs. The device includes a frame, an upstanding neck support carried by the frame, an inflatable elongated bladder carried by the neck support, restraining straps for securing the device to the user's head such that the bladder is disposed below and adjacent the user's neck, and means for selectively inflating and deflating the bladder to force the cervical spine to curve forwardly and apply angular traction to the spine.

Abstract: An orthopedic pillow for helping to correct and helping to prevent hyperkyphosis and rigidity of the thoracic spine and for returning the normal lordotic cervical curve comprises a base panel having a first end portion, a second end portion, a left top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a right top surface segment extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a first crown for supporting the thoracic spine, the first crown being formed on the first end portion of the base panel, extending toward the second end portion of the base panel, and dividing at least partially the left top surface segment from the right top surface segment, and a transition ramp formed in the first end portion of the first crown for supporting the spine just under and below the shoulder blades of a reclining person.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a therapeutic exercise device having a polyhedral foam body. The body may comprise a bottom side, a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side for supporting a top side. The top side may include a sloping surface and a plurality of arcuate surfaces cooperating to properly support and position an exerciser's legs, pelvic region and spinal vertebrae system to develop and maintain the musculoskeletal system.

Abstract: The cervical traction/stretch device comprises a hollow inflatable body made of an elastically expandable material and includes a shoulder portion, a head portion and a bellows portion which is integrally formed with the head portion and to the shoulder portion. The bellows portion, the shoulder portion and the head portion have aligned U-shaped openings therein adapted to receive a user's neck. Pumping structure is connected to the body for pumping air into the body and for relieving or releasing air out of the body and the head portion. The bellows portion and the shoulder portion have an un-inflated condition, a first inflated condition and a second inflated condition where the bellows portion acts against and between the head portion and the shoulder portion.

Abstract: The cervical traction device comprises: a body including a shoulder portion, a head portion and a bellows which extends substantially across the width and height of the body between and connected to the head portion and to the shoulder portion and acting against and between substantially the full inner end surface of the head portion and the full inner end surface of the shoulder portion. The bellows, the shoulder portion and the head portion have aligned U-shaped openings therein adapted to receive a patient's neck. A hand operated air pump is connected to the bellows for pumping air into the bellows and for relieving or pumping air out of the bellows.

Abstract: An exercising device of an overall length relating to the length of an exercising person lying prone thereon and of a width relating to the width of an exercising person. The device has a first section having a concave portion for accommodating the back of the exercising person, a second mid section having a convex portion of an overall height greater than the first section for accommodating the body portion of an exercising person between the gluteus maximus and the lower back portion of an exercising period and a third section having a convex portion of an overall height greater than the second section for accommodating the rear knee portion of an exercising person, the second section being spaced from the third section by a concave portion for supporting the gluteus maximus of an exerciser.

Abstract: The invention disclosed comprises apparatus in the nature of resiliently flexible laminated pads, with or without magnetic tape, used to apply pressure to various areas of a human body, particularly the back, to alleviate back pain and related symptoms due to muscle strain, tension or nerve irritation, as well as headaches and menstrual discomfort.

Abstract: An inflatable flexible bladder is mounted on the surface of a weightlifter's bench to provide support to the spinal region. A pressure device activatable by the hand or foot of the weightlifter is employed to provide desired supporting internal pressure to the bladder. In an alternative embodiment, the inflatable bladder is mounted on an axially traversing carriage so that its longitudinal position on the weightlifting bench may be adjusted to comfortably fit weightlifters of varying size. A locking assembly is provided to fix the carriage in place after adjustment.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spinal column correction device and in particular to one including a head rest having a first raised support, a second raised support formed with a recess at the intermediate portion, a groove between the first raised support and the second raised support, a triangular region extending downwardly from the second raised support, and a Velcro strap at the lower edge of the head rest, a lumbar rest having a Velcro strap at the upper edge and the lower edge, a swollen region at the intermediate portion, a spine line at the center, a triangular region at the upper portion, and two recesses at the lower portion for receiving two hips of an user, and a bottom rest having two recesses for receiving two feet of an user and a swollen region between the two recesses for resting the feet, whereby the device may effectively correct the spinal column of an user.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a static or passive spinal alignment device includes a first elongated section and a second elongated section spaced therefrom. The first section and the second section are each dimensioned to buttress a respective side of a patient lying supine on a generally flat surface. The side buttressing straightens the alignment of the spine and maintains the spine of the patient in a spaced relationship to the surface between the thoracic vertebra and a sacrum of the spine. Body weight then urges the spine downwardly to reduce lumbar lordosis. Means are provided for attaching the first section to the second section and for supporting each of the first section and the second section on the surface.

Abstract: A shaped block that can be used for chiropractic treatment. The block has a base, a rear end face, an upper face parallel to the base and merging with the upper edge of the rear end face, a rectangular front end face merging with the front end of the base, and an upper oblique portion between the upper face and the front end face inclined between 60.degree. to 85.degree.. The oblique portion has a first upper inwardly curved section descending from an inner edge of the upper face, an intermediate flat face portion following the first curved section and raised above the plane of the oblique portion, and lifted 7.degree. to 9.degree. at the lower end, and a lower curved section between the intermediate flat face and the second end face. Irregular faces connect these parts together into a block. The faces of the curved section are anti-skidding so as to engage human body portion under treatment while preventing it from sliding along the curved surfaces. The block is made of soft rubbery material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus 100 of a type on which a person 190 receives back therapy. The apparatus 100 includes a frame 101 designed to rest upon a floor surface 109. A support member 102 is pivotally mounted to the frame 101 above the floor surface 109, and a pelvic belt 103 is secured relative to the support member 102. In operation, the pelvic belt 103 stabilizes the person's pelvis relative to the support member 102, and the support member supports some portion of the person's torso including the pelvis. The support member 102 pivots among several positions, including a mounting position suitable for mounting by a person, and a locking mechanism 104 secures the support member 102 in any of a plurality of back therapy positions.

Abstract: The posture board according to the present invention is contoured to a spinal mating shape. The board comprises an upper back supporting portion having a leading edge and a lower back supporting portion terminating in a trailing edge. The board has a longitudinally extending sine wave configuration with an up curve at the lower back supporting portion. The board further has a side to side concave curvature defining a trough like center region and upwardly turned outside edges. The center region along at least part of the upper back supporting portion and at the trailing edge is in contact with the supporting surface on which the posture board is used. The up curve defines a gap beneath the center region along the lower back supporting portion and the supporting surface.

Abstract: A dual purpose pillow for reversing the lordotic curve of a patient by acting on the base of the spine and comprises two wedges that act complimentary to each other. A larger wedge of the pillow is higher at the foot end and lower at the head end of the patient and acts to place the pelvis into posterior tilt. The sacrum is carried along with the pelvis into posterior pelvic tilt. The smaller wedge of the pillow is also higher at the foot end and lower at the head end of the patient and further increases the posterior tilt of the sacrum, thus acting to reduce the disc wedge angle above the sacrum. This pillow may be used to support the lumbar spine and musculature while the patient is sitting.

Abstract: A radiolucent spine support frame has independently adjustable supports and other features making the frame easy to use, maintain and transport and embraces a support having a radiolucent base on which are mounted four independently adjustable supports having gel cushions on top of each support to contact the patient's body and support the patient during surgical or medical procedures, especially back surgery or x-ray examination of the spine.

Abstract: A device and method for maintaining and restoring normal curvature of a person's lumbar spine. The device is of non-deformable material, has a base lying in a plane and an upper surface curved in the direction of the sagittal plane to conform to the normal curvature of a person's lumbar spine. The curvature is preferably circular with a radius of between 14 and 20 centimeters, but generally approximately 17 centimeters and the base preferably extends in the direction of the sagittal plane for approximately 17 centimeters. The method of maintaining and restoring the normal curvature of the lumbar spine includes placing the device between a firm surface and the person's lumbar spine and preferably elevating the person's legs 12 to 18 inches for a finite period of time.

Abstract: An adjustable back support device comprising a base member having two lateral and two traverse edges, a pair of support elements adjustably secured to the base member in a position substantially adjacent to the traverse base member edges to constitute a receiving channel to receive at least the lumbar portion of a human back. Each support element includes a sling angularly secured to a vertical member, a support member which is adjustably secured to the base member, and a pair of receiving slots in the support member. The base member includes a pair of adjustment slots for adjusting the position of the support elements on the surface of the base member.