T-SHAPED THERAPEUTIC CUSHION OR PILLOW
A cushion or pillow (10) can include a t-shaped porous enclosure formed from fabric and a plurality of bead-like members (20) retained within the enclosure. The porous fabric can be made from cotton or a cotton blend. The plurality of bead-like members can be a plurality seeds such as flax or sesame seeds, synthetic foam beads, or other material that can be placed within the enclosure. Herbs such as lavender, peppermint or orange peel can also be placed or retained within the enclosure. A t-portion (12) of the t-shaped porous enclosure can fit under a person's neck while a straight portion (14) can lie under the person's spine while the person is lying down. The t-shaped porous enclosure can be enclosed using stitching (16 or 18) or zipper members (32) or other means. Further note, the cushion can be heated or cooled to provide the appropriate healing effect.
This invention relates generally to massage pillows or cushions, and more particularly to a t-shaped cushion or pillow that can be used for massage therapy.
BACKGROUNDExisting massage therapy involved bolstering the body with towels and other kinds of bolsters which also opens the chest and releases upper back tension. However, using towels and existing bolsters are not completely comfortable for a person lying down on a massage table. Furthermore, such towels fail to conform completely to a person's skeletal structure. Towels will tend to unravel, particularly as a person moves around as they are getting a massage. The normal size bolster used in a massage session for under the knees is far too large and would place the patient or client in an unstable position.
SUMMARYEmbodiments in accordance with the present invention provide for a t-shaped cushion or pillow used for massage therapy or for one's own personal use in aiding to relax.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a cushion or pillow can include a t-shaped porous enclosure formed from fabric and a plurality of bead-like members retained within the t-shaped porous enclosure. The porous fabric can be made from cotton or a cotton blend for example. Of course, other porous fabrics can be used to allow the pillow or cushion to “breathe”. The plurality of bead-like members can be a plurality seeds, synthetic foam beads, or other material that can be placed within the enclosure. In one embodiment, the bead-like members can be flax seeds or other types of seeds such as sesame seeds. Herbs such as lavender, peppermint or orange peel can also be placed or retained within the t-shaped porous enclosure. The cushion can be constructed so that a t-portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure can fit under a person's neck and a straight portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure can lie under the person's spine while the person is lying down. The t-shaped porous enclosure can be enclosed using stitching or zipper members or other means for creating an enclosure. Further note, the cushion can be heated or cooled to provide the appropriate healing effect. For example, the cushion can be microwaveable.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a cushion used for massage therapy can include a t-shaped fabric enclosure and a plurality of bead-like members retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure that substantially occupies a volume within the t-shaped fabric enclosure. The t-shaped fabric enclosure can be a porous fabric made from cotton or a cotton blend and the plurality of bead-like members can be flax seeds. The cushion can also include herbs such as lavender, peppermint or orange peel retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure. A t-portion of the t-shaped fabric enclosure can be constructed to fit under a person's neck while a straight portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure can be constructed to lie under the person's spine while the person is lying down. As before, the t-shaped fabric enclosure can be enclosed using stitching or zipper members.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a method of message therapy using a t-shaped cushion can include the steps of placing a t-portion of the t-shaped cushion under a person's neck and placing a straight portion of the t-shaped cushion under the person's spine. A plurality of bead-like members retained within a t-shaped fabric enclosure of the t-shaped cushion substantially conforms under gravity while the person's neck and spine lie on the t-shaped cushion. The plurality of bead-like members can be flax seeds or other types of seeds. The t-shaped cushion can further include herbs retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure. The method can further include the step of either heating or cooling the t-shaped cushion before placing the t-shaped cushion under a person's neck and spine.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
An embodiment in accordance with the invention comprises a T-shaped cushion or pillow 10 as illustrated in
Many people spend their time in a shoulder forward position and the T-shaped cushion or pillow 10 allows the body to be at rest in a position to counter the gravitational load encountered by many users who sit at the computer for long hours or the many other reasons the body shifts into kyphosis. The term kyphosis is usually applied to the curve that results in an exaggerated “round-back.”
Referring to a side cross-sectional view of the t-shaped cushion or pillow 10 in
The cushion or pillow 10 or 30 allows an individual to help themselves with chronic pain and postural alignment in the upper back, neck and shoulders while resting comfortably. The pillow or cushion can help a therapist by bolstering a client to affect the chest, anterior deltoids, and serratus anterior while allowing the scapula to drop back into a comfortable position, releasing the client's rhomboid and trapezium. The therapist has gravity working while they are increasing the stretch with gentle pressure. The neck is completely supported allowing the client to feel more comfortable and as a result the client's body responds and relaxes more fully.
Referring to
In light of the foregoing description, it should also be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A cushion, comprising:
- a t-shaped porous enclosure formed from fabric; and
- a plurality of bead-like members retained within the t-shaped porous enclosure.
2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the porous fabric is made from cotton or a cotton blend.
3. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bead-like members are seeds or synthetic foam beads.
4. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bead-like members are flax seeds.
5. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion further comprises herbs retained within the t-shaped porous enclosure.
6. The cushion of claim 5, wherein the herbs comprise among lavender, peppermint, and orange peel.
7. The cushion of claim 1, wherein a t-portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure is constructed to fit under a person's neck and a straight portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure is constructed to lie under the person's spine while the person is lying down.
8. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the t-shaped porous enclosure is enclosed using stitching or zipper members.
9. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion is microwaveable.
10. A cushion used for massage therapy, comprising:
- a t-shaped fabric enclosure; and
- a plurality of bead-like members retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure and substantially occupying a volume within the t-shaped fabric enclosure.
11. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the t-shaped fabric enclosure is a porous fabric made from cotton or a cotton blend.
12. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the plurality of bead-like members are flax seeds.
13. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the cushion further comprises herbs retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure.
14. The cushion of claim 13, wherein the herbs comprise among lavender, peppermint, and orange peel.
15. The cushion of claim 10, wherein a t-portion of the t-shaped fabric enclosure is constructed to fit under a person's neck and a straight portion of the t-shaped porous enclosure is constructed to lie under the person's spine while the person is lying down.
16. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the t-shaped fabric enclosure is enclosed using stitching or zipper members.
17. A method of message therapy using a t-shaped cushion, comprising the steps of:
- placing a t-portion of the t-shaped cushion under a person's neck;
- placing a straight portion of the t-shaped cushion under the person's spine; and
- wherein a plurality of bead-like members retained within a t-shaped fabric enclosure of the t-shaped cushion substantially conforms under gravity while the person's neck and spine lie on the t-shaped cushion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of bead-like members are flax seeds.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the t-shaped cushion further comprises herbs retained within the t-shaped fabric enclosure.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises the step of either heating or cooling the t-shaped cushion before placing the t-shaped cushion under a person's neck and spine.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 15, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 20, 2008
Applicant: KI, INC. (CULLOWHEE, NC)
Inventor: KYRA RUSSELL (CULLOWHEE, NC)
Application Number: 11/532,348
International Classification: A47G 9/00 (20060101);