GB2205500A

GB2205500A - Massaging aid

Info

Publication number: GB2205500A
Application number: GB08713293A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hilda Andrews
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-06
Filing date: 1987-06-06
Publication date: 1988-12-14
Also published as: GB8713293D0

Abstract

A massaging aid, particularly for use by sufferers of cervical spondyloses, comprises a complex curved elongate member 3 having a roller 1 at one end and a handle 2 at the other. The curve of the member 3 is in two planes and enables the sufferer to use the aid with the upper arm 10 in a dependant position. <IMAGE>

Description

A MASSAGING AID The present invention relates to a massaging aid.

The aid is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for use by sufferers of back pain, for example, sufferers of cervical spondylosis. Pain relief can be obtained by massaging. Massagers are available for the purpose which includes one or more rotatable balls. However, it is difficult, if not impossible, for the sufferer to use this device on him or herself. An object of the present invention is to alleviate this difficulty.

According to the present invention, there is provided a massaging aid comprising an elongate member having a rotatable member mounted at one end and a handle at the other, the elongate member being curved so that the user may, by holding the handle, apply the rotatable member to the back and massage the back by subjecting the aid to a reciprocating movement whilst maintaining the upper portion of the arm in a dependant position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the rotatable member and handle are of wood. The elongate member is made of a metal, such as steel or stainless steel, or synthetic plastics material. When made of steel, the steel may be chromed. Metal is preferred for the elongate member because it has the necessary combination of strength, weight and flexibility.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a plan view-of the embodiment of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the embodiment in use.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, the massaging aid comprises a cylindrical wooden roller 1, which is centrally bored along the cylindrical axis, a wooden handle 2 and an elongate steel member 3. The elongage member 3 comprises a portion 4 which extends substantially at right angles to the adjacent part of the elongage member 3. From that point, as is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the member 3 curves in two planes towards the handle 2. The roller 1 is retained on the portion 4 by means of a washer 5 and internally screwthreaded nut 6 which is screwed onto the complementary screwthreaded end of the elongate member. The handle 2 is a press fit on the other end of the steel member 3.

The complex curve of the elongage member 3 enables a sufferer from back pain to massage the back in the manner illustrated in Figure 4. In particular the roller can be reciprocated by the user in the direction of the arrows 9 with the upper part of the arm 10 held in a downwardly dependant condition. The hand is arcuately reciprocated in the direction of the arrows 11 to achieve this. By avoiding raising the upper arm and elbow, pain caused by tensing the muscles in the upper back in order to reach those very muscles to massage them can also be avoided.

-This pain would normally prevent sufferers of, for example, cervical spondylosis from massaging their own backs. It is also possible to use the massaging aid to massage the lower back. This is done by holding the arm below the elbow against the stomach with the roller held against the lower back with its axis extending substantially vertically.

Reciprocating the hand acruately towards and away from the stomach causes the roller to perform a reciprocating movement across the lower back.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the roller 1, handle 2 and member 3 could be made from synthetic plastics material.

Claims

1. A massaging aid comprising an elongate member having a rotatable member mounted at one end and a handle at the other, the elongate member being curved so that the user may, by holding the handle, apply the rotatable member to the back and massage the back by subjecting the aid to a reciprocating movement whilst maintaining the upper portion of the arm in a dependant position.

2. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 1, in which the rotatable member and handle are of wood.

3. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the elongate member is made of a metal.

4. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 3, in which the metal is steel.

5. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 4, in which the steel is chromed.

6. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 3, in which the metal is stainless steel.

7. A massaging aid as claimed in claim 3, in which the elongate member is made of synthetic plastics material.

8. A massaging aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate member is curved in two planes Towards the handle.

9. A massaging aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate member comprises a portion which extends substantially at right angles to the remainder of the member and which supports the rotatable member.

10. A massaging aid as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the handle is a press fit on the elongate member.

11. A massaging aid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.