GB2353711A

GB2353711A - A Device and Method for Applying Massage, Cooling or Warming to the Body

Info

Publication number: GB2353711A
Application number: GB9920309A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Kerry Butterfield
Original assignee: ALTERNATIVE THERMAL THERAPIES
Current assignee: ALTERNATIVE THERMAL THERAPIES
Priority date: 1999-08-28
Filing date: 1999-08-28
Publication date: 2001-03-07
Also published as: GB9920309D0

Abstract

The device according to this invention is provided to alleviate pain or tissue trauma through the combined effect of massage and thermal therapy. The device comprises a glove or pad arranged in a number of flexible layers, one of which contain spherical massage balls (2) arranged in rows. These balls may be heated or cooled and the device can then be applied to parts of the body. This arrangement provides a highly effective massage effect as the device is moved under pressure across the skin. In a preferred embodiment, the message balls are contained in seperate flexible sealed tube-like sachets that contain both the balls and a high thermal capacity gel.

Description

2353711 A Device And Method for Applying Massage. Cooling Or Warming to

the Bod The invention which is the subject of this application is a device which can be used to apply massage, cooling or warming, or any combination thereof, to parts of the body but his should not be read as a restriction on the possible scope of the use of the device.

The massaging of the human body has long been used to relieve aches and pains in muscles and soft tissues. In addition it provides a therapeutic and soothing effect to the recipient. There are many types of massage. Some, such as aromatherpy, require direct contact with the skin. Others, such as Shiatsu, allow the participant to remain fully clothed. Eastern based methods, such as Acupressure, and Craniosacral Manuipulation, use pressure points to influence energy channels in the body.

Some massage implements use vibration, rolling balls, rolling cylinders, or a combination of these to amplify the beneficial effects of the massage. Many of these mechanical aids are attached externally to the massage device, supported by a rigid framework. Because of this framework, most of these implements are limited in their use and effectiveness Their bulkiness and awkwardness makes it difficult to hold and apply the device to a desired body location. The presence of this rigid framework also creates a mechanical barrier between the masseur and client and reduces the degree of 'sensitivity' important in maximising the benefits achieved from the massage. The consequence is that the person applying the massage is not able to vary the pressure according to the perceived tension in the underlying muscles. This 1 lack of flexibility further limits the areas of the body where these implements can be used and makes it difficult to use conventional hand massage techniques.

Some of these methods and devices are known to combine mechanical massage effects with heat. The use of heat is well known in the relief of aches and pain resulting from damage to muscles and other soft tissues or with other sources of pain such as period pain and headache.. The beneficial effects of heat application occur because it stimulates an increased blood flow to the area, which in turn encourages healing and repair.

The use of cold therapy is less well known in massage, although it has been established that it gives rapid relief of pain and reduces the swelling of damaged tissues through an anti-inflammatory action in other fields. This is especially the case if cold therapy is used in the first 24 hours after an injury. None of the massage devices described above have been designed for the application of both heat and cold therapy and none are sufficiently flexible to be used on or wrapped around any part of the body.

It is therefore clear that there is a need for a satisfactory massage device, which is sufFiciently flexible in all planes, so that it can be moulded to fit any part of the body and which offers a mechanical amplification of the massage effect. It should closely match the known advantages of conventional hand massage and should allow the masseur to vary the pressure according to need. The device should also be able to apply either cold or heat therapy as a means of modulating the effect of the massage. The idea of this invention is to provide a device with all these properties.

2 According to the present invention there is provided a device that consists of a covering, made up of two layers, containing solid spherical objects (massage balls) held and arranged in such a manner that they are free to move and rotate. The massage balls are contained within and supported by the covering in the shape of a flat pad, which eliminates the need for a rigid framework. The device may also possess an additional layer to form a shape such as a glove or mitten. The arrangement is such as to create a highly flexible, undulating surface that can be applied to or wrapped around any part of the body and is sufficiently malleable so as to mould itself to any body contour. This arrangement allows the application of a highly effective massage effect as the device is moved, under pressure, across the skin. It also has the advantage of creating a large surface area of contact between the device and the skin, in order to facilitate the direct application of either cold or heat in combination with the massage effect. The device is provided so as to act as a heat sink through prior cooling or to store thermal energy through prior warming. These thermal effects are achieved either by using metal, glass or ceramic balls as the massage agents. The thermal properties of the device can be also enhanced by the use of a high thermal capacity viscous gel in conjunction with the massage balls, which will extend the cooling or warming effects.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates one form of the device; Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section through the device of Fig. 1 along the line A-B; 3 Referring now to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a device according to the invention that is shaped in the form of a mitten. The device includes an inner and outer layer of a material such as a fabric or plastic 1, which forms a housing for the massage balls 2. The massage balls are arranged in rows within the housing such that they separated by a space 4 and are free to move and rotate between the layers. Each row of massage balls is contained within a tube shaped section formed by a line of stitches 3 that pass through both layers of the housing. These stitches are so arranged as to provide an undulating surface by stretching the outer layer of the housing over the massage balls such that the massage balls protrude above the surface of the mitten. In a preferred embodiment, the device is also provided with an elasticated cuff to fit around the wrist.

Fig. 2 illustrates a cross section of Fig. 1 along the line A-B and clearly shows the massage balls held between the two layers of material 1 and 6 and isolated by the stitches 3. In an alternative embodiment, the massage balls are contained in separate flexible sealed tube-like sachets 7 that contain both the massage balls and a high thermal capacity gel 8. These sachets are held in place by the housing 1 and 6 and stitches 3. A further lower layer 9 forms a mitten or glove with a space into which the hand can be fitted.

To use the device, the shaped pad, glove or mitten is moulded closely to the contours of the desired part of the body and moved across the surface of the skin under pressure. The massage effect is achieved by varying the pressure applied to the massage balls, which form a smooth undulating surface caused 4 by the circular shape of the massage balls covered by the outer layer of material. This causes a rippling effect on the underlying tissues, which both reduces muscular tension and encourages increased blood flow into the area. Typically, the device is shaped like a mitten to render it convenient to carry and apply and it is envisaged that this confers distinct advantages over alternative products.

In a further feature of the invention, the massage effect can be combined with the application of heat or cold. The device can be heated in a microwave or other container prior to use, the solid massage balls absorbing thermal energy that will be released gradually during application. This has the effect of warming the tissues undergoing massage, further reducing muscle tension, soothing the area and causing an increase in blood flow to the area. The outer layer is designed to form an insulator such that heat transfer is both gradual and prolonged.

The device can also be cooled in a refrigerator or freezer, creating a heat sink that will absorb thermal energy from tissues during application. This property is especially useful if a part of the body has sustained an injury, such as a muscle tear. Cooling the tissues undergoing massage will rapidly dull any pain sensations and inhibit the development of an inflammatory response, which causes swelling of the area and a consequent delay in healing. Tests have shown that the device reaches a suitable level of coldness within 1 to 2 hours in a domestic freezer, but can be left in the freezer overnight if desired.

It is envisaged that the combined effect of massage and cooling will be used primarily in the first few days after a muscle injury, to be followed by the application of either massage alone or massage combined with heat. Preliminary studies have shown, however, that massage, combined with heat and cold therapy offers considerable benefit to people suffering from chronic pain resulting from lumber or cervical damage. As a consequence, the device can be used to alleviate pain and promote healing in a wide variety of conditions. A further example of this is use of the device for the relief of period pains. Any reference in this description to the specific benefits of the device, therefore, should not be interpreted as having a limiting effect on the scope, utility and effectiveness of the device and the protection herein sort.

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Claims

1. A device in the shape of a flat pad, mitten or glove comprising a housing made up of two layers within which are sealed solid spherical balls (massage balls) arranged in rows, such that they are free to move and rotate and forming an undulating surface which is flexible in all directions.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the said device can be used for applying massage, cooling or warming to the body

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the said device can be moulded to fit closely to any part of the body thereby forming a large surface area for the transfer of thermal energy in combination with the massage.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the thermal properties of the device can be increased by the use of a high thermal capacity gel in conjunction with the solid massage balls.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the said device can be wrapped around parts of the body to either warm or cool the area.

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