ES1204012U - AUTO-MASSAGE APPARATUS FOR THE MIOFASCIAL RELEASE OF MUSCLE TRAPECIO (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, characterized by a main body in the form of a triangular prism that contains an edge as longitudinal-vertical pressure profile (7), which is counted and pressed with the body. The main body has two anchoring systems to the wall (10, 18 and 19), which allow the user to completely relax his back and shoulders, while supporting a sufficient part of his body weight on the massage region. The support surface on the wall allows the user's body weight to rest on the pressure profile, stabilizing the device without moving. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

SELF-MASSAGE DEVICE FOR THE MIOFASCIAL RELEASE OF THE MUSCLE TRAPECIO

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention, framed within the registry figure of utility model, belongs to the field of physiotherapy and more specifically to that of pressure self-massage therapy.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the proposed invention relates to a new therapeutic apparatus that allows self-massage to ensure the myo-fascial release of the trapezius muscle as a whole. Said apparatus, characterized by a longitudinal edge, designed to offer pressure to the user allowing heating, relaxing and reaching the so-called "trigger points" distributed by the different muscle layers, individually or in groups. In addition, it consists of cylindrical socket pivots, which allow controlled pressure to be applied to localized contracture zones.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The trapezoid is a large comet-shaped muscle, which covers a large part of the back and back neck, is divided into three; upper, middle and lower trapezius, each having their own common actions and symptoms. The Trapeze holds the head, shoulders and much of the back, which is subject to continuous stress, both in the common work position, as during exercise and especially in hypertrophy sports.

The trapezoid commonly contains “trigger points” (21 to 28), one of the most commonly used definitions is that which considers the trigger point as a “hyper-irritable zone located in a tense band of a skeletal muscle that generates pain with the

compression, distention, overload or contraction of the tissue, which usually responds with a referred pain "(Definition of Simons et al. 1999).

Once discarded traumatic or skeletal injuries; Trigger points and contractures are the origin of the main musculoskeletal discomforts and pains every day. The most effective way to treat contractures and trigger points, requires muscle relaxation, gentle massage to heat the fascia (bag-shaped tissue that envelops the muscle tending to the contracture) and gradually providing pressure from wider to more localized areas, increasing the pressure progressively and holding it for a variable time between 20 and 50 seconds. This action must be repeated in the same region and on the trigger points as well as the rest of the muscle.

The sessions can be long and leisurely, since the time factor is essential to achieve the stretching of the connective tissue, not forcing the stretching but letting the structure give way.

The known devices commonly used in self-massage of the back and other hard-to-reach areas tend to remain in the user's hands by pulling on it, pressing on the selected point. Such devices require the user to hold the device on his shoulder, in order to direct the tip of the device, generally spherically, that contacts the body at the massage point and then, move the device by pushing, pulling and manipulating it with your arms and shoulders in order to apply pressure to the different areas of contracture. Said effort of both arms and back to find the point and pull the device hinders the relaxation process, which requires fascia, for pressure therapy.

These devices hardly allow a first heating of the tension zone and also do not allow pressure to be applied to a wide region of muscle that encompasses several “trigger points”, since they limit their pressure range to the size of the end point of the device. There are also areas that are difficult to access such as iliocostalis and rhomboid (22 and 25). In the same way, the sessions can be exhausting due to the effort that must be made to exert enough pressure along the muscle.

Multiple activation point massage devices are collected in the state of the art; the "AccuMassager Trigger Point Massager" offered by the Body Back company at www.bodyback.com; the "Backnobber Massager 2" offered by The Pressure Positive at www.backnobber-store.com; the "SoloMAX self massage tool" offered by Kelly Kinetics; the "Thera Cane" offered by Thera Cane at www.theracane.com and the "Body Back Buddy Jr. Trigger Point Travel Massager", the "Body Back Buddy Trigger Point Massager", and the "Body Back Mini Trigger Point Travel Massager" offered by Body Back at www.bodyback.com.

A second type of devices, of less complex structure, essentially refers to a cylindrical roller that is held at each end by a therapy applicator, with which massage is applied along the muscles to relax them.

At present, it is not known, at least of the research carried out in the different databases, that there is any device specifically designed for the purpose of the myo-fascial release of the trapezium autonomously, with the characteristics and effectiveness of the present invention

For which the following patent documents are cited below:  US4266536, 26 Dec 1979, 12 May 1981, Robert Casares, Massaging for backs  US5730708, 31 Jul 1995, 24 Mar 1998, Spratt, Todd, Multi directional massager  US6241693 , Apr 30, 1998, Jun 5, 2001, Brian D. Lambden, Method and apparatus for

applying acupressure  US6261251, 2 Dec 1998, 17 Jul 2001, Andrew P. Meyers, J-shaped vibrator  US6758826, 8 May 2002, 6 Jul 2004, Water Pik, Inc., Vibrating massager.  US6988997, 6 Jun 2003, 24 Jan, 2006, Stultz Michael OBack, massager with

interchangeable contact heads  US7335171, 4 Apr 2007, 26 Feb 2008, Derek Marlow Ewell, Thermal cane  US20050015028, 27 May 2004, 20 Jan 2005, Luettgen Harold A., Vibrating

personal massager  US20050113726, 30 Aug 2004, 26 May 2005, Prettyman Keith O., Self-massage device

 US20110224588, 23 May 2011, 15 Sep 2011, Rene Grippo, Personel Massaging System  US20120271345, 23 Sep 2011, 25 Oct 2012, Clipper Professional Medical Services

Llc, Apparatus and method for treating myofascial trigger points  US20130023807, 21 Jul 2011, 24 Jan 2013, Hennessey Daniel J, Massager  US20130066245, 30 May 2012, 14 Mar 2013, Gideon Dagan, Self-Massage Device  USD317204, 21 Aug 1989 , 28 May 1991, Massager  USD326721, 22 Nov 1989, 2 Jun 1992, Tool for applying pressure to human back

and neck  USD402764, 15 Sep 1997, 15 Dec 1998, Massaging tool  USD403431, 20 Mar 1998, 29 Dec 1998, Massager  USD405536, 30 May 1997, 9 Feb 1999, Massager  USD423676, 9 Feb 1999, 25 Apr 2000, Combined acupressure and massage device  USD436181, 16 Feb 2000, 9 Jan 2001, Combined acupressure and massage

device  USD444566, 1 Dec 2000, 3 Jul 2001, Donald H Thomas, Back massager  USD456909, 6 Jul 2001, 7 May 2002, Laci Szabo, Massaging tool  USD461009, 11 Oct 2001, 30 Jul 2002, Sam Viner, Self- massager  USD539915, 7 Mar 2005, 3 Apr 2007, Kirk Timmer, Massage implement  USD554270, 9 Nov 2006, 30 Oct 2007, Ano Harold W, Personal massaging device  USD646794, 3 Dec 2010, 11 Oct 2011, Hennessey Daniel J, Massager  USD675332, 20 Mar 2012, 29 Jan 2013, Rick Tinder, Massager  USD690431, 11 Mar 2013, 24 Sep 2013, Geoffrey S. Nohr, Personal back massager  USD698034, 25 Jun 2013, 21 Jan 2014, Pressure Positive Comp. , Massage tool

holder  USD698936, 28 Aug 2013, 4 Feb 2014, Paul Pudhnum, Travel massager  USD722176, 1 Aug 2014, 3 Feb 2015, Nayoya Wellness Corp, Back hook massager  EN 1 072 514 U, 11.05.2010, 22.07.2010, Body massager

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention allows self-massage for the myo-fascial release of the trapezius muscle in its entirety, despite its difficult access. Thanks to the

Massage tools, to the contact profile between user-device and support systems, the apparatus, allows the user to completely relax the back and shoulders while applying a sufficient part of the body weight to the massage region.

The massage device is formed by a main body in the form of a solid or hollow triangular prism that will be used sustained on the wall longitudinally, as the main massage tool for the fascia (7 and 11). The two edges of the bases with equal length (1 and 1a) can preferably measure between 10 to 20 cm, forming an angle to each other, which can vary between 60 to 90 degrees (6). The edge length between the upper and lower base (3) can vary from 20 to 80 cm, this profile (7) being the main fascia massage tool. The material of the main body is usually wood although it could be made of plastic or others.

The main body offers two support systems, one anchored to the wall on the side, opposite the longitudinal profile (18), these guide anchors fit into two hook screws on the wall. The second system consists of two hook screws (10) screwed on the upper base of the prism to which a cable (15) is attached that can be hung to any existing screw in the wall. Said cable can be adjusted in height by passing it through a "T" shaped screw (19) and returning it to the same hook as it was coming out (20).

Once fixed or rested on the wall, the main body shows the longitudinal pressure profile (7). The user will stand with their backs to the longitudinal profile, advancing the feet about 30 centimeters from the vertical and slightly bending the knees supports the back (Fig. 4).

Initially it rests on the profile, the muscular area adjacent to the spine, covering the path (29 and 29a), which massages the regions (21: lower neck area,

26: erector spinae and 23: low trapezoid). Progressively supporting part of the weight of the body on the profile and applying a smooth wave motion longitudinally from top to bottom (fig. 4), a gentle relaxing massage begins to occur along the trapezius fascia. In this referred route, we can identify up to 4 “trigger points” on each side of the column. Once identified, we press harder and minimally curving the back we will focus the pressure on the region of each trigger point, which we will have to press for a period of up to 60

seconds, relaxing later. In this way, it alternates with other trigger points and the operation is repeated as many times as necessary for each region.

We can perform the same operation, moving the longitudinal pressure line

5 near the scapula (travel 30 and 30a), that is further from the spine and specifically in the region (25: Rhomboid and 22: iliocostalis thoracis); Zone of insertion of the muscle with the scapula, where they are 2 to 3 trigger points, very frequent, on each side of the column.

10 In the same way and on the region of the scapula (path 31 and 31a), further away from the axis of the column we can treat the last “trigger points” located in the (27: middle trapezoid). In total we have 6 routes to treat (fig. 3). Sessions can be long and leisurely since the time factor is essential to achieve the stretching of the connective tissue, not forcing the stretch but leaving

15 let the structure be the one that yields. It is also recommended to regularly massage the area so as not to allow the formation of large contractures and in order to maintain mobility and agility of the spine in general.

The longitudinal pressure profile (7) will be removable from the main body (32),

20 offering once removed, two longitudinal pressure profiles (11) with a concave cavity to rest the column (12). This tool is designed to massage and relax paths 29 and 29a at the same time.

The main body is fitted with 1 or more pivots, cylindrical-conical under pressure (14); that

25 allow to exert a regulated and localized pressure to the trigger points. Said pivots may have a hemisphere shape (9), arrowhead or flat tip (9a) at the end of contact with the user. Other details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which includes the drawings and describes a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 - shows the profile of the main body, hung on the wall on a hook. 35 The longitudinal pressure profile (7) as well as a pressure pivot (5) with

hemisphere end (9), embedded in the lower hole on one side, the upper hole is empty. Another pivot shows the flat contact tip (9a).

Figure 2 - (12) Shows the concave cavity of the main body of the device, without the

5 main pressure profile. (11) Parallel pressure profiles for paths 29 and 29a simultaneous. (14) Pressure pivot for trigger points, embedded in the hole higher. (32) Shows the pressure profile (7) separated, as well as the pivot pins under pressure (17). (18) Anchoring system, where the two wall screws fit into the guide arrows, being able to do it at different heights. (10) Show two hooks, such as

10 second resting method, where a rope is tied to hang it on an existing wall hook. To adjust the height, we carry the end of a side hook (10) to the T-shaped hook (19) and return it to the same starting hook or simply between the side hooks themselves.

15 Figure 3 - Shows the regions of the trapezius muscle and circles the position of the “trigger points”, which can be treated with the self-massage device, applying pressure in the region indicated by the arrows in the form of 6 paths (29 , 30, 31 and 29a, 30a, 31a). The regions where the trigger points are found are (21) scapula elevator, (22) iliocostalis thoracis; (23) low trapezoid; (24) wide dorsal; (25)

20 rhomboid; (26) erector spinae; (27): Middle trapezium; (28) high trapeze. The longitudinal arrows indicate the 6 massage paths where the pressure of the profile is applied and the direction from top to bottom and vice versa, which allow the trigger points to be covered.

Figure 4 - shows the user resting part of his weight on the longitudinal profile of

25 pressure, with the feet about 30 cm in front of the vertical and the knees somewhat curved. The movement shown by the arrow is undulating from top to bottom and vice versa and pressing towards the profile with the weight itself.

Figure 5 - shows the user using his weight by pressing on the 30-pressure pivot with a hemisphere end, fitted in the upper hole.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Next, a particular example of a device developed for myo-fascial trapezoid self-massage is described, in accordance with the present invention with reference to the description and attached figures.

In (fig. 1), the main body at rest on the wall shows the edge or pressure profile (7) with a length between vertices of 45 cm (3). This edge length allows the user to rest the massage area longitudinally (fig. 4), performing the paths (fig. 3: 29,30,31 and 29a, 30a, 31a). In this way the contractures of all the trigger points of the trapezium can be undone. The edges of the upper and lower base (1 and 1a) measure 15 cm and form an angle of 90 degrees to each other (6), the length of the edge resting on the wall (2) is 21 cm.

The longitudinal pressure profile (7) is removable from the main body (32), offering once removed, two longitudinal pressure profiles (11) with a concave column cavity. The detachable profile is shaped like a rhomboid prism. The sides (16 and 16a) that form the angle of 90 degrees (6) measure 5.5 cm to the vertex. Said profile fits into the main body by means of three pivots (17) that protrude from the inner part of the removable profile and snap into the main body (13). These pivots are glued to the removable profile with a diameter of 3 cm, which fit into three holes (13) of 3 cm in diameter, drilled in the concave cavity of the main body.

The main body is fitted with 1 or more cylindrical-conical pressure pivots (14), using the hook holes (13) that leaves the front profile free when removed (32) and remaining at three heights. In the event that the profile (32) is not removable, the pressure pivot fits into the longitudinal sides of the prism (8). These pivots have a diameter of 3 cm (5), length of 11 cm (4) and form of contact with the hemisphere user.

The main body is characterized by containing two independent wall fixing systems. The first consists of two hook screws screwed to the ends of the upper base (10) to which a cable (15) is attached that serves to hang the device on an existing screw on the wall. How the movements are

Always pressing towards the wall, the resting surface of the device allows it to not move laterally. The cable length is regulated by the T-shaped hook (19).

5 On the side that rests on the wall, three anchor guides are screwed to each side (18). We will fix two hook screws on the wall at the same distance as the guides to anchor the device allowing it to be used at three different heights.

It is considered that with this description any person skilled in the art will understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom.

The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements will be subject to modifications as long as this does not imply a substantial alteration of the invention with the examples set forth as illustrative and not limiting.

Claims (7)

 1.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, characterized by a main body in the form of a triangular prism that contains an edge as a longitudinal-vertical pressure profile (7), which contacts and presses the body. The main body has two anchoring systems to the wall (10, 18 and 19), which allow the user to fully relax back and shoulders, while supporting a sufficient part of their body weight over the massage region. The support surface on the wall allows the user's body weight to rest on the pressure profile, stabilizing the device without moving.  2.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the longitudinal pressure profile of the main body (32) is removable, offering in the main body a concave cavity on which to rest the column (12).  3.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 1, characterized by containing holes at different heights where the pressure pivots fit.  4.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 2, characterized by the removable massage profile has three glued pivots (17) that fit into three holes (13) along the concave cavity.  5.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 4, wherein the pressure pivots have different shapes at the end of contact with the human body, either rounded (9) or flat (9a).  6.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 1, characterized in that it hangs on the wall on any existing screw by means of a cable connected to two hook screws screwed into the upper base of the prism (10) and which allows the height to be adjusted by means of a T-shaped screw screwed between the previous (19). The cable is passed from one of the hooks of Hang onto the T hook (19) and return to its hook (20) to regulate the height of the device.  7.-Self-massage device for the myofascial release of the trapezius muscle, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is made entirely of polished and varnished wood. DRAWINGS FIG. one FIG. 2  31st 30th 29th 29 30 31 FIG. 3 FIG. 4 FIG. 5