Abstract: A shoulder exerciser which allows a user to exercise a shoulder includes a handpiece which is movable on a surface such as a floor or door against a variable resistance. The shoulder exerciser includes a handpiece and a plurality of resilient members connected thereto. The resilient members are connected to a door or a platform so that the handpiece can be moved in a prescribed exercise against the resistance of the resilient members. The resistance is variable by adjusting the length of each resilient member.

Abstract: A shoulder exerciser which allows a user to exercise a shoulder includes a handpiece which is movable on a surface such as a floor or door against a variable resistance. The shoulder exerciser includes a handpiece and a plurality of resilient members connected thereto. The resilient members are connected to a door or a platform so that the handpiece can be moved in a prescribed exercise against the resistance of the resilient members. The resistance is variable by adjusting the length of each resilient member.

Abstract: A machine applies a cyclic localized thrusting force against the back of a patient recumbent upon his or her back on a support bed in order to manipulate the user's back or spine. Several (typically three) spaced-apart thruster members reciprocate between a first position retracted into the support bed below its top surface and a second position thrusting into pressured contact with the patient's back. The reciprocal thrusting is variable and controllable in real time with respect to the locations, area, patterns of contact, amplitude, frequency, numbers of cycles, pressure, and number of separate sites. Spinal therapy normally performed by a human therapist may correspondingly be comprehensively mechanically replicated.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for decompressing the spine from a seated position while permitting leg exercises. Two triangular sides have forearm supports which can be set at an angle to the horizontal plane with the angle having a range of 20.degree.-45.degree.. The triangular sides are attached through cross members and have hand grips mounted adjacent the forearm supports. The apparatus rests on a floor, the ground, a chair or similar subsurface. The user positions himself in a seated position between the sides and raises his body by pressing downward with his forearms and hands, thus unloading and decompressing the spine and lumbar back. An optional harness suspended from above the person may be used to maintain continuous decompression of the lower spine between the upward movements executed by the user, or lower body restraints may be used to permit decompression of only the upper spine.

Abstract: Apparatus is described which provides enhanced movements of a person's truncal spinal muscles and joints and which comprises a first means for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine, and second means to permit relative motion between the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The device contains a fixed portion and a pivoting or swiveling portion. In the preferred embodiment the user assumes an all fours position and by kneeling or leaning on the swiveling portion engages in a swiveling motion of the body which causes the upper and lower portions of the trunk to move relative to each other. Normal motion is in the frontal and traverse planes of the body. Movement in the transverse plane can be enhanced by incorporating a sloped structure for the swiveling portion of the device to follow.

Abstract: A walking exercise device is disclosed, which allows a user to move through normal walking motions while lying supine in a position of reduced (preferably no) axial gravitational loading on his spine. The device permits prolonged walking without the limitations of spinal vibration and stress and of foot fatigue. Pivoting arm and leg supports are mechanically linked such that the opposing pairs of limbs move in a counter motion to each other as in normal walking. These movements are performed with the assistance of a flywheel to control the walking pace or to provide adjustable resistance against which the user must exert himself. Hinges or a knee flexure roll may be provided to flex the knees and provide foot stroke during each step. The device may be operated by the user's own exertions or may be motor driven for use by infirm persons. Spinal massage mechanism and head and neck traction devices which may be operated simultaneously are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid operated device for applying continuous passive motion (CPM) to a person's spine is described, which comprises adjacent inflatable bladders adapted to be positioned transversely on opposite sides of a person's spine, against a fixed object and the person's body, a fluid conduit with a fluid control valve connecting the interiors of the bladders, a pump to force fluid intermittently into the first bladder and an exhaust to exhaust fluid from the second bladder, the intermittent pump rate and the flow restriction being selected so that the bladders fill and exhaust in sequence such that the peak pressure application to the body by the first bladder occurs before that of the second bladder.Also described is a method for applying CPM to a person's spine. Broadly the method utilizes a bladder placed adjacent one side of the spine, then inflated and deflated intermittently to simulate multi-dimensional natural motion of the spine.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for decompressing the spine from a seated position. Two triangular sides having forearm supports which can be set at an angle to the horizontal plane with the angle having a range of 20.degree.-45.degree. and is attached through cross members and have hand grips mounted adjacent the forearm supports. The apparatus rests on a floor, the ground, a chair or similar subsurface. The user positions himself in a seated position between the sides and raises his body by pressing downward with his forearms and hands, thus unloading and decompressing the spine and lumbar back. An optional harness suspended from above the person may be used to maintain continuous decompression of the lower spine between the upward movements executed by the user, or lower body restraints may be used to permit decompression of only the upper spine. An optional back flexion bar may be used to provide additional directions of movement to the spine.

Abstract: Apparatus is described which allows a user to simulate crawling motions and provides enhanced movements of the person's truncal spinal muscles and joints. The apparatus comprises a first means for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine and second means to permit relative motion between axial portions of the spine trunk, especially the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk, while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The device contains a fixed portion and a pivoting or swiveling portion, the swiveling portion comprising a pair of pivoted supports which can move in circular lateral paths independent of each other. In the preferred embodiment the user assumes an all fours position and by kneeling or leaning on the swiveling portion engages in a crawling motion alternating movements of each leg or arm, which causes the upper and lower portions of the trunk to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A device providing enhanced movements of a person's truncal spinal muscles and joints comprises a flat base for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine. Relative motion between the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk occurs while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The base mounts a fixed portion and a pivoting or swiveling portion. In the preferred embodiment the user assumes an all fours position and by kneeling or leaning on the swiveling portion engages in a swiveling motion of the body which causes the upper and lower portions of the trunk to move relative to each other. Normal motion is in the frontal and traverse planes of the body. Movement in the transverse plane can be enhanced by incorporating a sloped structure for the swiveling portion of the device to follow. Simultaneous movement in the sagittal plane can also be obtained by having the user flex or extend his body during the exercise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described which provides enhanced movements of a person's truncal spinal muscles and joints and which said apparatus comprises a flat base for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine. Relative motion between the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk occurs while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The flat base has mounted thereon a fixed portion and a pivoting or swiveling portion. In the preferred embodiment the user assumes an all fours position and by kneeling or leaning on the swiveling portion engages in a swiveling motion of the body which causes the upper and lower portions of the trunk to move relative to each other. Normal motion is in the frontal and traverse planes of the body. Movement in the transverse plane can be enhanced by incorporating a sloped structure for the swiveling portion of the device to follow.

Abstract: An apparatus permits a user to simulate crawling motions and provides enhanced movements of the person's truncal spinal muscles and joints. The apparatus comprises a flat base for supporting a person in position where there is minimal axial gravity loading of the spine, and hand and knee rests respectively fixed and pivoting relative to the flat base to permit relative motion between axial portions of the spine trunk, especially the upper (thoracic) and lower (pelvic) portions of the person's trunk, while the person remains in the gravity unloaded position. The base mounts a fixed rest and a pivoting or swiveling rest, the swiveling rest comprising a pair of pivoted supports which can move in circular lateral paths independent of each other.

Abstract: A swimming simulation exercise device is described. The device comprises a frame supporting a platform on which the user rests, arm cranks for simulating swimming stroke motions and resistance means for the user's legs to allow the user to simulate a kicking motion. The platform is preferably mounted on a gimballing apparatus which allows the user to simulate the normal rocking motion inherent in swimming. The apparatus incorporates means for providing a "simulated water line" effect such that the user encounters resistance to arm strokes during the lower half of the stroke (in which the arm would normally be in the water during swimming) and little or no resistance on the upper half of the stroke. Accessory devices such as heart rate monitors, lap/distance counters and the like can be attached to the device.