Abstract: A device for training swimmers includes a swimsuit, one or more drag-creating strips, and fastener(s) for detachably fastening the drag-creating strip(s) to the swimsuit. Each drag-creating strip includes non-porous material forming at least one pocket having a closed bottom, closed sides and an open top. During swimming, water entering the pocket will impact against the sides and bottom of the pocket, thereby creating turbulence. Such turbulence produces resistance to the movement of the swimmer through the water. The layout and number of fasteners allows the drag-creating strip(s) to be attached to the swimsuit in any one of various orientations. Thus, the pockets can be oriented at optimal positions relative to the movement of the swimmer through the water. Moreover, the pockets can be oriented in a manner that isolates a particular muscle group for training.

Abstract: A therapeutic wrap is securable in an operative orientation around the forearm for relieving stress of the myofascial structures caused by repetitive motion and vibration trauma, such as "tennis elbow". The wrap has a circumference sufficient to encircle the forearm of a user and includes a pocket for accommodating a pressure pad having plural parallel aligned elongate chambers. The parallel aligned chambers of the pressure pad extend lengthwise in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the forearm when the appliance is secured in the operative orientation. The pressure pad may be formed of an air bladder having plural parallel air chambers and a valve mechanism for allowing the user to increase an air pressure contained within the air bladder chambers.

Abstract: A therapeutic appliance is securable in an operative orientation around the abdominal region of the body for therapeutically treating the lumbar area and upper portion of the sacrum. The appliance includes an external shell securable about the abdominal region of the body and pouches repositionably attached to the shell for accommodating various types of therapeutic pads. Each of the pouches may be moved or pivoted between a position at which the pad accommodated therein will overlie the lumbodorsal fascia and quadratus lumborum muscles and a second position at which the pad will overlie the erector spinae muscles. In addition, a band-like elastic member is secured to the shell in a manner in which the elastic member may exert tension over the pouches. Opposite ends of the elastic member can be secured at various locations along opposite ends of the external shell so that the tension of the elastic member can be varied.

Abstract: A therapeutic appliance designed to provide support to the wrist and limit motion of the wrist to prevent repetitive movements of large amplitude felt to be a causative mechanism in injury to the median nerve within the carpal tunnel and other structures of thie region. The appliance includes a series of interconnected air chambers aligned in parallel on the dorsal, lateral and medial surface of the device, a valve mechanism through which air is pumped into chambers by means of a hand-held bulb, a semi-rigid non-metallic member on the dorsal surface of the device, and elastic strap closures on the volar surface of the device and an elastic strap wrapping around the thumb.

Abstract: A therapeutic appliance for application to the lumbar spine and which follows the contours of the iliac crests and overlies the sacrum and sacroiliac joints as well as anchors below the posterior superior iliac spines of the human body including an external shell having a length sufficient to extend around the abdominal region of the body with fasteners at opposite ends of the shell and an air bladder disposed on the shell.

Abstract: A therapeutic appliance for application to the lumbar spine and which follows the contours of the iliac crests and overlies the sacrum and sacroiliac joints as well as anchors below the posterior superior iliac spines of the human body including an external shell having a length sufficient to extend around the abdominal region of the body with fasteners at opposite ends of the shell and an air bladder disposed on the shell. The air bladder has a plurality of air chambers located centrally between opposite ends of the shell with each of the air chambers being in fluid communication with each other and to an air conduit for inflating them. The air chambers include elongated air chambers which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shell having upper ends substantially parallel to each other and lower ends shaped to lie above the iliac crests.