JP7345944B1 - trigger point compression belt - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To enable a patient to relieve pain caused by trigger points occurring in the muscle attachment areas of the patient's back, lumbar region, lumbosacral region, and buttocks. [Solution] A flexible belt that can be worn around the patient's body, a trigger point pad that can locally compress muscle attachment points on the patient's body, and a trigger point pad on the flexible belt. The flexible belt is wrapped around the patient's body and worn, and the trigger point pad is attached to the patient's trigger point by sliding the attachment member along the length of the flexible belt. By adjusting the tightening strength of the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body and fixing it with a fastener, the trigger point pad is biased by the attachment member and tightens the patient's trigger point. can be continuously compressed with controlled intensity. [Selection diagram] Figure 4

Description

The present invention provides a trigger that can be wrapped around a patient's body to reduce or eliminate pain by locally and continuously compressing muscle attachment points in the patient's back, lower back, lumbosacral region, and buttocks with moderate force. Regarding the point compression belt.

Low back pain is on the rise as one of the modern diseases. For low back pain, lumbosacral instability has been treated and improved by wrapping a corset around the waist to increase intra-abdominal pressure and stabilize the lumbosacral junction and sacroiliac joints ( (See Figure 9).

However, in addition to cases where low back pain is caused by lumbosacral instability, low back pain may also be caused by disorders of muscle attachment sites that connect bones and muscles. Muscle attachments, where soft muscles transform into tendons near joints and connect to hard bones, tend to be subject to load as the muscles contract, which can easily cause injuries. Painful muscle tightness is called a trigger point, and is the cause of pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome, which presents with chronic pain, or muscle tension secondary to other diseases. If the cause of lower back pain is muscle attachment disorder, corsets are useless.

It is known that applying pressure using acupressure is effective for analgesic treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Tennis elbow is a muscle attachment disorder that occurs in the arms of tennis players, but it has been reported that wrapping a supporter around the arm and compressing the muscle attachment area has a therapeutic effect in alleviating the pain.

JP 2014-125705 Publication Title of invention: Arm supporter JP-A-6-335488 Title of invention: Tennis elbow brace

Pain relief due to trigger point compression and changes in autonomic nerve function and cerebral hemodynamics Saeko Fukuda et al. Journal of the Tokai-Hokuriku Physical Therapy Academic Conference 27th Tokai-Hokuriku Physical Therapy Academic Conference December 22, 2011 Muscle-tendon enthesopathy (musculotendinous enthesopathy) Tomohiro Matsui Saiseikai Foundation November 6, 2021

Chronic low back pain greatly impairs the daily life of the elderly and becomes a significant factor in the decline in quality of life. The main symptoms are persistent dull pain in the lower back, a feeling of pressure, and intense pain at the start of movement. Based on his many years of clinical experience as an orthopedic surgeon, the inventor of the present invention has discovered that patients' backs, hips, and hips are affected by long hours of daily desk work, overuse of muscles in specific areas, aging, etc. I have noticed that there are many cases of muscle attachment disorders in the sacrum, buttocks, etc. In such cases, the pain can be relieved by applying acupressure to the area where the pain is occurring. However, the effect of acupressure is temporary and not sustainable, and it is actually difficult for patients to apply acupressure on their own back, lower back, lumbosacral, buttocks, etc. Under these circumstances, patients can easily eliminate or relieve pain caused by muscle attachment disorders in the back, lower back, lumbosacral, buttocks, etc. by using simple devices. There was a need for ways and means to do so.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the inventor of the present invention has made extensive studies and found that a pad is attached to a belt and worn around the patient's body, and the pad is applied to the area where pain is occurring (trigger point). They have discovered that by applying pressure continuously for a certain period of time with moderate force, it is possible to surprisingly effectively soothe pain that occurs in the patient's back, lower back, lumbosacral region, buttocks, etc. Furthermore, as a method for this purpose, by moving an attachment member that is slidably attached to the belt along the length of the belt, the pad is applied to the position where the trigger point exists, and the belt wrapped around the patient's body is moved. It has been discovered that when tightened, the presence of the attachment member between the pad and the belt allows the pad to be biased from behind by the attachment member to compress the trigger point with sufficient force.

Based on the above findings, the inventors of the present invention have developed a trigger point compression belt that can improve muscle attachment disorders by continuously compressing trigger points that occur in muscle attachment areas of a patient's body. , the trigger point compression belt is

a flexible belt having a predetermined length and width that can be worn around the patient's body;

Trigger point pads that can locally compress muscle attachment points on the patient's body;

an attachment member for attaching the trigger point pad to the flexible belt,

The flexible belt has fasteners at both ends of the belt, and when the flexible belt is wrapped around the patient's body, it can be fixed using the fasteners while maintaining the wrapping strength. It is configured as follows,

The attachment member is attached to the flexible belt so as to be able to slide along the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt,

With the attachment member attached to the flexible belt, the trigger point pad is joined to the surface of the attachment member facing the patient's body via a hook-and-loop fastener;

The flexible belt is wrapped around the patient's body and worn, and the attachment member is attached to the surface facing the patient's body by slidingly moving the attachment member along the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt. Applying the applied trigger point pad to the trigger point of the patient, adjusting the tightening strength of the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body in this state, and fixing it using the fastener, The trigger point pad can be biased from behind by the attachment member to continuously compress the patient's trigger points with a controlled intensity;

We have arrived at the invention of the trigger point compression belt.

Preferably, the attachment member is joined by overlapping two plates with a gap between them, and a flexible belt is passed through the gap between the two overlapping plates, and the attachment member is attached in the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt. It is possible to slide the trigger point along the trigger point.

Preferably, the mounting member is provided with two through grooves on the front and rear sides of one plate, each having a size that allows the flexible belt to pass through, and the trigger point pad is formed on the one plate. The flexible belt is attached to a position sandwiched between the two through grooves by a hook-and-loop fastener, and the attaching member is passed through the two through holes provided at the front and rear of the attaching member. It is possible to slide along the longitudinal direction to the position of the trigger point.

Preferably, a surface of the plate constituting the attachment member facing the patient's body is provided with a hook-and-loop fastener, and the trigger point pad is attached to the surface of the attachment member using the hook-and-loop fastener. It is being

Preferably, in the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, the pad is attached to a substantially central portion of the belt in the longitudinal direction via an attachment member. If the pad is attached near the end of the belt away from the center, it becomes difficult for the trigger point pad to compress the trigger point with sufficient force when the belt is tightened.

Preferably, in the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, a plurality of attachment members are attached to the flexible belt, and the plurality of attachment members attached to the flexible belt are attached to a surface facing the patient's body. A trigger point pad is attached to the. By attaching multiple attachment members/trigger point pads to the flexible belt, it is possible to apply the pads to treat multiple trigger points occurring in the patient's body.

Preferably, the mounting member is made of plastic, wood, leather, cloth, or metal.

Preferably, the trigger point pad is made of felt, EVA, vinyl chloride, or polyurethane.

Preferably, the flexible belt is worn around the patient's body together with a corset that can be wrapped around the patient's back, waist, and buttocks. Preferably, a corset that covers the patient's back, waist, and/or buttocks is wrapped around the patient's body and worn over the flexible belt.

Preferably, the pad used in the trigger point compression belt of the present invention is selected by the patient or doctor from among a plurality of types of pads depending on the condition of the patient's affected area.

Preferably, a plurality of types of attachment members having different sizes, shapes, and materials are prepared, and one is selected according to the type of pad used as the trigger point pad.

Preferably, the trigger point compression belt is worn on the patient's body several times a day for about 20 minutes each time to continuously compress trigger points generated at muscle attachment sites with moderate force. The pressure should preferably be so strong that the patient feels comfortable when applying pressure to the trigger point with the pad.

Preferably, the size of the pad used for the trigger point pad of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention is such that the size of the pad has a certain height and the area where the pad contacts the affected area is greater than a certain value. If the height of the pad is high, the force with which the pad hits the affected area in the vertical direction will increase, and if the area of the pad that hits the affected area is wide, the force with which the pad hits the affected area will be distributed over the entire contact surface, reducing the compression strength. become weak. The compression strength also varies depending on the material of the pad. Therefore, in order to cure muscle attachment disorders using the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, it is necessary to prepare multiple types of pads with different sizes, shapes, and materials, and to select one that matches the condition of the patient's affected area. It is desirable to select and use.

Preferably, the shape of the plurality of pads includes a rectangular parallelepiped shape, an elliptical shape, or a ball shape.

Preferably, after using the trigger point compression belt of the present invention to reduce or eliminate strong pain, a normal lower back pain belt can be wrapped over the trigger point compression belt with the compression strength weakened. Used in conjunction with By using it in this way, it is possible to obtain a further effect of reducing pain and increasing activity.

In the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, the pad is joined to the attachment member using a hook-and-loop fastener, and in this state, the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body is tightened, so that the pad is applied to the trigger point on the patient's body. The attached trigger point pad can be biased from behind by an attachment member attached to the flexible belt to compress the trigger point with sufficient force. If the pad is attached directly to the flexible belt, when the pad is applied to the patient's body and pressure is applied, the pad will push against the flexible belt due to the reaction force, causing the flexible belt to bend, causing the pad to be triggered. It becomes difficult to compress the point locally with intended force. Therefore, in the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, the pads are not attached directly to the flexible belt, but rather to attachment members attached to the belt.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention can be applied to trigger points by sliding the attachment member to the position where trigger points occur in muscle attachment areas such as the patient's back, lumbar region, lumbosacral region, buttocks, etc. By applying a pad, you can apply continuous pressure with a moderately adjusted intensity.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention is capable of applying pads to muscle attachment points and continuously compressing them with an appropriately adjusted intensity according to various symptoms of individual patients. Muscle attachment disorders that occur in a patient's body vary in location, symptoms, size, etc., and the range and strength of compression required for healing differs for each. In order to cure or improve muscle attachment disorders using the trigger point compression belt of the present invention, the pad should be applied to the affected area for about 15 to 20 minutes with a force that the patient feels comfortable with. It is effective to apply pressure. The trigger point compression belt of the present invention can apply a pad selected from among a plurality of pads according to the patient's symptoms to a desired position on the body, and adjust the compression strength at that position.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention applies the trigger point pad to the muscle attachment point where a trigger point has occurred and applies vertical compression continuously for a certain period of time, thereby reducing the excessive stress that is applied to the muscle attachment point as the muscle contracts. load can be reduced.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention can soothe a condition in which contracted muscles stimulate adjacent nerve tissue and cause pain by applying appropriate pressure to the affected area with a trigger point pad.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention can calm a partially excited state of the sympathetic nerves in the trunk by applying appropriate pressure to the trigger point with a trigger point pad.

The trigger point compression belt of the present invention can be used in conjunction with a corset by wrapping the belt around the corset around the patient's body. If the cause of your lower back pain is lumbosacral instability and muscle attachment disorders, using a trigger point compression belt and corset together is extremely effective.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a pad is attached to the attachment member of the trigger point compression belt according to the first embodiment of the present invention using a hook-and-loop fastener. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a trigger point pad attached to a trigger point compression belt of the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention being wrapped around a patient's body and worn. FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a state in which a pad is attached to the attachment member of the trigger point compression belt according to the second embodiment of the present invention using a hook-and-loop fastener. FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a trigger point pad attached to a trigger point compression belt of a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. FIG. 9(A) shows a simple corset used as a lumbar pain band. FIG. 9(B) shows a state in which a simple corset used as a lumbar pain band is wrapped around the patient's waist and worn. FIG. 10 shows the location of trigger points occurring on the back, lower back, and buttocks of a patient's body.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings.
<Definition>

In the present invention, the term "muscle attachment part" refers to a part where a muscle attaches to a bone. Muscle attachments include tendons and ligaments, depending on the location on the human body.

In the present invention, "muscle attachment disorder" refers to a state in which a disorder such as inflammation occurs in the part where a muscle attaches to a bone.

In the present invention, a "trigger point" is a sensor in the body that causes pain, and is also called a pain point in Japan. Trigger points are known to occur at muscle attachment sites due to staying in the same position for a long time or overusing muscles. FIG. 10 shows the location of trigger points occurring on the back, lower back, and buttocks of the patient's body.

In the present invention, the term "trigger point pad" refers to a pad that is applied to a patient's trigger point using the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. The length of the belt may be as long as it is necessary to wrap it around the patient's body, but on the other hand, if it is too long, it will be difficult to use, so the length of the belt should be taken into account. The trigger point pad is preferably made of a flexible material and has a large contact area when applied to the trigger point. However, depending on the patient's symptoms, a hard spherical ball like a golf ball that has a small contact area when applied to the trigger point may be used to locally apply force to the affected area.

In the present invention, a "trigger point compression belt" refers to a flexible belt equipped with a fastener and a pad attached to it. As the fastener, a combination of a metal buckle provided at the end of the belt and a hook-and-loop fastener can be suitably used.

In the present invention, the term "attachment member" refers to a device for attaching a pad to a flexible belt. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting member is provided with two through grooves at the front and rear of one plate, the size of which allows the flexible belt to pass through. In another embodiment of the present invention, the attachment member is configured by joining two plates together with a gap between them, and passing the flexible belt through the gap between the two stacked plates. The attachment member is configured to be able to slide along the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. In FIG. 1, with the pad 12 fixed to the attachment member 11 using a hook-and-loop fastener, the belt is passed through the two front and rear through grooves. FIG. 2 shows the dimensions of the pad 12 secured to the mounting member 11. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the pad. FIG. 4 shows the trigger point compression belt 1 of the present invention wrapped around the patient's waist.

1-4, a first embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention includes a flexible belt 10, a trigger point pad 12, and a method for attaching the trigger point pad 12 to the flexible belt 10. It consists of a mounting member 11.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting member is a single rectangular small plate, and two slots for passing the flexible belt are provided at the front and rear of the rectangle in the longitudinal direction. The space between the two slots is used as the trigger point pad attachment area. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a hook-and-loop fastener is provided in the trigger point pad attachment area, and the pad can be attached to the attachment member using the hook-and-loop fastener.

1 and 4, the pad 12 is attached to the trigger point pad attachment area of the attachment member 11, and the flexible belt 10 is passed through the two front and rear slots of the attachment member 11, and the flexible belt 10 is attached to the patient. It is worn by wrapping it around the waist of the person. Thereafter, by sliding the attachment member 11 in the longitudinal direction along the flexible belt, the pad 12 attached to the attachment member 11 is moved to the area where the patient feels pain, and the pad 12 is applied to the affected area. Let them come into contact with you. As a fastener, a buckle 13 can be attached to the end of the belt, the belt 10 can be passed through the buckle 13, folded back, and fixed with a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the opposite side of the belt.

1, 2, and 4, the pad 12 is attached to the pad attachment area of the attachment member 11, the flexible belt is passed through the two front and rear slots of the attachment member 11, and the flexible belt is When pulled, a force acts to straighten the flexible belt, which has been bent due to the presence of the trigger point pad, and this straightening force causes the trigger point pad to become perpendicular to the affected area of the patient's body. Acts as a force that pushes in the direction. As a result, the force that tightens the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body is converted into a force that causes the trigger point pad to push the affected area in a direction perpendicular to the patient's body. The patient can adjust the force with which the trigger point pad presses against the affected area by adjusting the force with which the flexible belt is tightened.

The trigger point pad preferably uses a resin such as polyurethane or a flexible material such as sponge. The trigger point pad preferably has a rounded shape. However, depending on the patient's muscle attachment disorder symptoms, a hard material such as a golf ball may also be used. Using a small, hard material like a golf ball as a pressing member is suitable for applying a strong local force, but since it is pressing on a painful area, a flexible belt is recommended. The tightening strength must be carefully adjusted.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, two mounting members are each mounted through a flexible belt through the gap between the two plates.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the pads 22 and 32 are attached to the pad attachment areas of the attachment members 21 and 31, and the flexible belt 20 is passed between the two plates of the attachment members 21 and 31. A flexible belt 20 is wrapped around the patient's waist and worn. Thereafter, by sliding the attachment members 21, 31 in the longitudinal direction along the flexible belt, the pads 22, 32 attached to the attachment members 21, 31 are moved to the area where the patient feels pain, The pads 22, 32 are brought into contact with the affected area. As a fastener, a buckle 23 can be attached to the end of the belt, the belt 20 can be passed through the buckle 23, folded back, and fixed with a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the opposite side of the belt.

5, 6, and 7, the pad 22 is attached to the pad attachment area of the attachment members 21 and 31, the flexible belt is passed between the two plates of the attachment member 21, and the flexible belt is When the flexible belt is pulled in this direction, a force acts to straighten the flexible belt, which has been bent due to the presence of the trigger point pad, and this straightening force causes the trigger point pad to be pulled through the attachment member. It acts as a force that presses vertically against the affected area of the patient's body. As a result, the force that tightens the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body is converted into a force that causes the trigger point pad to push the affected area in a direction perpendicular to the patient's body. The patient can adjust the force with which the trigger point pad presses against the affected area by adjusting the force with which the flexible belt is tightened.

Experiment 1

Samples of the trigger point compression belt according to the first embodiment of the present invention were prepared and used by attaching them to a patient's body, and it was observed whether each patient's lower back pain could be cured or improved.

<Preparation of sample>
Sample (1) of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention was manufactured using the following component materials.
・Flexible belt: 10cm wide belt made of cowhide. A metal buckle is provided at one end, and a hook-and-loop fastener is provided at the opposite end to form a fastener.
・Pad: 6cm long, 7.7cm wide, 3.2cm high Made of urethane ・Attachment of the pad to the belt: Use a small plate measuring 7cm long, 12cm wide, and 4mm thick as the mounting member. Two through grooves are provided at the front and rear of the small plank.

The inventor wore a trigger point compression belt made of the above-mentioned components around his own waist, applied the pad to the area of lower back pain for 20 minutes twice a day, and observed the relief of symptoms.
Additionally, apart from the inventor, four people who desired the device were fitted experimentally. The firmness of the compression pad was selected by the patient. The results were as follows. ((A) QOL; Quality of Life, (B) TPB: Trigger Point Compression Belt)

Experiment 2

By producing samples (2) of the trigger point compression belt according to the second embodiment of the present invention and using them by attaching them to the patient's body, it was observed whether or not each patient's lower back pain could be cured or improved. did.

<Preparation of sample>
A sample of the trigger point compression belt of the present invention was made using the following component materials.
・Flexible belt: 10cm wide belt made of cowhide. A metal buckle is provided at one end, and a hook-and-loop fastener is provided at the opposite end to form a fastener.
・Pad: length 6cm, width 7.7cm, height 3.2cm Made of urethane ・Attachment of the pad to the belt: Two plates with length 7cm, width 12cm, and thickness 4mm are joined using screws as an attachment member. use

The inventor wore a trigger point compression belt made of the above-mentioned components around his own waist, applied the pad to the area of lower back pain for 20 minutes twice a day, and observed the relief of symptoms.
Additionally, apart from the inventor, four people who desired the device were fitted experimentally. The firmness of the compression pad was selected by the patient. The results were as follows. ((A) QOL; Quality of Life, (B) TPB: Trigger Point Compression Belt)

<Evaluation and discussion of experimental results>
Both the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the trigger point compression belt apply a pad of appropriate size and material to the affected muscle attachment, and apply the pressure at a moderately adjusted intensity to the affected muscle at a constant rate throughout the day. By applying pressure continuously for a period of time, a significant pain-healing effect could be obtained.

The trigger point compression belts of the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention allow the patient to easily adjust the force with which the trigger point pad is applied to the trigger point based on his/her own sensation, so that the trigger point compression belt can be applied to the trigger point. You can reduce or eliminate your pain by yourself without relying on a doctor. Such a therapeutic device exerts a therapeutic effect on back pain that cannot be cured by a corset, and although it has been needed for a long time, it has not been realized.

Compared to the first embodiment, the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention makes it easier to attach a plurality of attachment members to the belt in parallel, and allows a plurality of attachment members/members to be attached to one flexible belt. You can attach trigger point pads to hit multiple trigger points.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented by changing to various embodiments within the scope of the present invention. is possible.

Explanation of the sign

1, 2: Trigger point compression belt 10, 20: Flexible belt 11, 21: Attachment member 12, 22: Trigger point pad 13, 23: Buckle

Claims (5)

A trigger point compression belt that can improve muscle attachment disorders by continuously compressing trigger points that occur in muscle attachment areas of a patient's body, the trigger point compression belt comprising:

a flexible belt having a predetermined length and width that can be worn around the patient's body;

Trigger point pads that can locally compress muscle attachment points on the patient's body;

a mounting member for mounting the trigger point pad so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt;

The flexible belt has fasteners at both ends of the belt, and when the flexible belt is wrapped around the patient's body, it can be fixed using the fasteners while maintaining the wrapping strength. It is configured as follows,

The mounting member is configured such that two plates are overlapped and joined with a gap between them so that a flexible belt can be passed through the gap between the two plates, and the plate of the mounting member is A hook-and-loop fastener is installed on the surface of the plate that faces the patient's body, and a pad selected from among multiple types of pads with different sizes, shapes, and materials is attached to the hook-and-loop fastener depending on the condition of the patient's affected area. a trigger point pad is attached to the flexible belt by pasting it on the surface of the plate using a trigger point pad ;

By wrapping and wearing the flexible belt to which the trigger point pad is attached via the attachment member around the patient's body, and slidingly moving the attachment member along the longitudinal direction of the flexible belt. By bringing the trigger point pad into contact with the trigger point of the patient, adjusting the tightening strength of the flexible belt wrapped around the patient's body in that state, and fixing it using the fastener, The trigger point pad can be biased from behind by the attachment member to continuously compress the patient's trigger points with a controlled intensity;

The trigger point compression belt.
The trigger point compression belt according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the attachment members are attached to the flexible belt.
The trigger point compression belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment member is made of plastic, wood, leather, cloth, or metal.
The trigger point compression belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the trigger point pad is made of felt, EVA, vinyl chloride, or polyurethane.
The trigger point compression belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible belt is worn around the patient's body together with a corset that can be wrapped around the patient's back, waist, and buttocks.

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