GB2400802A

GB2400802A - Hosiery article incorporating raised ridges for use in reflexology

Info

Publication number: GB2400802A
Application number: GB0309416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Samantha Jane Fisher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-04-24
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2004-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-24
Also published as: GB0309416D0; GB2400802B

Abstract

A reflexology massager 3, 4 comprises at least one hosiery article such as a sock or stocking which is provided with a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges 5. The position of these ridges 5 is arranged to correspond with reflexology regions of the foot, so that as the wearer walks or stands, the ridges 5 serve to linearly massage the reflexology regions with which they correspond. The elongate ridges 5 may be formed out of piping which maybe formed integrally with the textile material from which the sock is made or attached to the sock. There may be either three or five ridges 5 on each sock running from toe to heel.

Description

1 2400802 Improvements in or relating to reflexology.

This invention relates to reflexology and more especially it relates to reflexology massagers.

Reflexology is an ancient form of therapeutic massage which works on the principle that every part of the human body has a corresponding reflex region on the feet or hands, whereby massage of a reflex region has a beneficial effect on that part of the body to which it corresponds which can promote healing and pain relief and encourage the body to heal itself. I his principle has been used for centuries by the early Chinese, Indians and Egyptians to return the whole body to a state of balance so as to promote healing and relieve pain, and to this extent it can be regarded as a 'holistic' therapy. In other words a therapy which aims to bring about good health by looking at the body as a whole.

Although reflexology can be applied to the hands, this invention is concerned more particularly with its application to the feet.

Reflexologists apply a special kind of compression massage to appropriate reflex regions on the feet, which allows those parts of the body to which the reflex regions relate to function in balance and harmony, promoting healing and the relief of pain associated with many common ailments including migraine, arthritis and digestive disorders, to name Just a few. In order to identify the position of these reflex regions on the foot, reflexologists commonly use a diagram showing which regions of the foot relate to the various parts of the body.

In some cases, it has been found highly desirable to apply reflexology massage along predetermined lines to predetermined regions of the foot and moreover in order to derive the best results this massage should be applied along these lines at frequent intervals. This not only requires massage to the foot along predetermined lines, herein referred to as linear massage, but it also requires repeated visits to a reflexologist, which is clearly not always practicable or even possible.

It is an object of this invention therefore, to provide a means for facilitating the simple self-application of reflexology foot massage along defined lines which can be used by a person in the privacy and comfort of their own home and/or even whilst they are working.

According to the present invention a reflexology massager comprises at least one hosiery article such as a sock or stocking which is provided with a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges the position of which is arranged to correspond with reflexology regions on the foot, so that as a wearer walks or stands, the ridges serve to lineally massage the reflexology regions with which they correspond.

Thus by wearing, as articles of clothing, a pair of socks for example, specifically designed to provide appropriate linear reflexology massage to the feet as a wearer walks or stands, the application of linear reflexology massage is facilitated without the need to visit a specialist practitioner for each treatment session.

The spaced apart ridges may be on the bottom of the sock or socks (i.e. that part of the sock which lies beneath the foot) so that as a wearer walks, the ridges serve to put pressure on the reflexology regions with which they correspond on the bottom of the foot and apply massage thereto.

Two socks may be provided, one for each foot, the bottom of each of which is provided with a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges the positions of which are arranged to correspond with reflexology regions on the foot, so that as a wearer walks, the elongate ridges serve to massage the reflexology regions to which they relate.

A pair of socks may be provided wherein each sock of the pair bears a similar left foot or right foot pattern of elongate ridges on the bottom thereof.

l he sock or socks may be made of textile material and the elongate ridges may comprise piping which is formed at least in part from the textile material.

Alternatively the sock or socks may be made of textile material and the ridges may comprise piping attached thereto.

Ideally the socks and the ridges formed thereon are designed and i custommade for a wearer according to a specification produced by a reflexologist taking account of the linear reflexology pressure regions which are deemed to require massage.

Alternatively several standard patterns may be devised so that a reflexologist can chose the most appropriate pattern in accordance with the linear reflexology regions deemed to require massage.

According to one embodiment of the invention, three elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, two extending from toe to heel on the inside of the bottom of each sock and one extending from toe to heel on the outside of the bottom of each sock.

According to another embodiment of the invention, three elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, one extending from toe to heel on the inside of the bottom of each sock and two extending from toe to heel on the outside of the bottom of each sock.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, five elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, two extending from toe to heel on the inside and outside respectively of the bottom of each sock, with three extending therebetween in generally parallel spaced apart relationship over a heel region only of the bottom of each sock.

It will be apparent that the size, position, and spacing of the ridges will be chosen in dependence upon the position of the linear reflexology pressure regions where massage is deemed necessary and accordingly many different ridge patterns may be devised according to the treatment required.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a plan view of the bottom of a pair of reflexology massage socks for treating one part of the body, Figure 2 is a plan view of another pair of reflexology massage socks for treating another part of the body and, Figure 3 is a plan view of a further pair of reflexology massage socks for treating a further part of the body.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a pair of reflexology socks 1, 2, the bottom portions only of which are shown, comprise any suitable textile material such as cotton, man-made flbre, or wool or any combination of these materials, as may be used for good quality socks. The bottom surfaces 3, and 4, respectively of the socks 1,2, are each provided with lines of pressure piping 5. The piping 5, in this embodiment is s arranged positionally to correspond with reflexology regions of the foot which relate to the shoulders, hips and knees, so that as a wearer walks or stands, these regions of the feet are linearly massaged automatically.

Referring secondly to Figure 2, a pair of reflexology socks 6, 7, the bottom portions 8, 9, only of which are shown, similarly comprise any suitable textile material wherein the bottom surfaces 8, and 9, are each provided with lines of pressure piping 10. The piping 10, in this embodiment is arranged positionally to correspond with reflexology regions of the foot which relate to the back and neck, so that as a wearer walks or stands these regions of the feet are linearly massaged automatically.

Referring finally to Figure 3, a pair of reflexology socks 11, 12, bottom portions 13, 14, only of which are shown, similarly comprise any suitable textile material wherein the bottom surfaces 13, and 14, are each provided with lines of pressure piping 15. The piping 15, in this embodiment is arranged positionally to correspond with reflexology regions of the foot which relate to the sciatic and back regions of the body, so that as a wearer walks or stands these regions of the feet are linearly massaged automatically.

Although the foregoing examples relate to pressure regions on the bottom of the foot where most pressure is applied whilst walking, there are pressure region regions located on the sides and upper portions of the foot which might be massaged in a similar manner provided they were able to be similarly stimulated.

As will be appreciated by skilled practitioners of reflexology, charts or diagrams of the foot are readily available which identify the correspondence between various parts of the foot and different parts of the body and although such charts will not be described in detail herein, it will be apparent that by referring to such charts, suitable hosiery may be designed for treating most regions of the body and thus it will be apparent that various modifications may be made to the embodiments herein described without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A reflexology massager comprising at least one hosiery article, such as a sock or stocking, provided with a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges the position of which is arranged to correspond with reflexology regions on the foot, so that as a wearer walks or stands, the ridges serve to linearly massage the reflexology regions with which they correspond.

2. A reflexology massager as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the spaced apart ridges are positioned on the bottom of the sock or socks (i.e. that part of the sock which lies beneath the foot), so that as a wearer walks the ridges serve to put pressure on the reflexology regions with which they correspond on the bottom of the foot and apply massage thereto.

3. A reflexology massager as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein two socks are provided, one for each foot, the bottom of each of which is provided with a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges the positions of which are arranged to correspond with reflexology regions on the foot, so that as a wearer walks, the elongate ridges serve to massage the reflexology regions to which they relate.

4. A reflexology massager as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a pair of socks is provided and wherein each sock of the pair bears a similar left foot or right foot pattern of elongate ridges on the bottom thereof.

5. A reflexology massager as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sock or socks are made of textile material and the elongate ridges comprise piping which is formed at least in part from the textile material.

6. A reflexology massager as claimed in any of Claims 1, to 5, wherein the sock or socks are made of textile material and the ridges comprise piping attached thereto.

7. A reflexology massager as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein three elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, two extendlug from toe to heel on the inside of the bottom of each sock and one extending from toe to heel on the outside of the bottom of each sock.

8. A reflexology massager as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein three elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, one extending from toe to heel on the inside of the bottom of each sock and two extending from toe to heel on the outside of the bottom of each sock.

9. A reflexology massager as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein five elongate longitudinally extending ridges are provided on each sock, two extending from toe to heel on the inside and outside respectively of the bottom of each sock, with three extendlug therebetween in generally parallel spaced apart relationship over a heel region only of the bottom of each sock.

10. A reflexology massager substantially as herelnbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.