Abstract: The physical therapy tools, systems, kits and methods described herein may be used to apply gentle, passive and progressive amounts of pressure (including numerous repetitions of small movements) to achieve therapeutic mobilization of a spinal joint. The tools described herein may include a plurality of pads and actuators, where the pressure within each actuator is controlled so that a continuously varying pressure may be applied to mimic the pressure applied by human hands. These tools may also include a controller and one or more user inputs. The physical therapy tools may be operated at different operating modes (e.g., continuously varying pressure modes, step-pulse high frequency modes, step-pulse low frequency modes) for treating a subject's spine, and may be part of a system or kit. Methods of treating a subject using these physical therapy tools are also described herein.

Abstract: A physiotherapy device for treating spinal disorders comprises a body (6) housing actuating rams operating on pistons (14) which carry feet (15). The pistons (14) are caused to reciprocate so that while one diagonal pair is raised, the other will be lowered and vice versa. The device is applied so that the feet (15) rest on the lateral ends of transverse processes to either side of a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The reciprocating motion of the feet (15) then causes a counter-rotational movement between the pair of vertebrae being treated. This can be used to help to relieve a loss of mobility between the joints of the spine. In an alternative use blows are delivered rapidly by the feet (15) so as to trigger natural stretch reflexes which will cause the vertebrae to be brought back into normal alignment from an abnormal displaced condition.