Lumber Distraction Chair

Abstract

Lumbar distraction is an effective treatment for back pain. However the discomfort and morbidities associated with vertical inversion has limited its use. The Lumbar Distraction Chair delivers a gentler lumbar distraction without the discomfort of being suspended vertically. The device is a modified office swivel chair with inward folding arm rests that secure the patient's legs on the chair seat. The patient positions him/herself onto the device with their back lying on the floor with hips and knees flexed. The arm rests of the chair fold inwards and hold the patient's legs securely onto the seat. A pneumatic telescopic stand elevates the seat, which also lifts the patient's legs hips and lower back off the ground by several centimeters. This provides lumbar distraction to the lower back. In this position, pain and inflammation is alleviated. This permits the muscle cell relaxation, recuperation and repair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION[0001]The Lumbar Distraction Chair (hereinafter “Device”) provides relief for back pain through gravitational lumbar distraction. The constant wear and tear of the lumbar muscles leads to myofascial inflammation. This inflammation over time causes back pain. The Device provides gravitational lumbar distraction that stretches the back muscles causing them to fatigue and rest. This allows rest and recuperation of the cells. The inflammation subsides and pain is alleviated.[0002]Initial conservative treatment includes postural improvement, physical therapy and medications. Gravity lumbar distraction is a more aggressive approach and has good results. Khalil et al. described significant improvement of pain when adding this to the treatment to physical rehabilitation. Lumbar distracters counteract gravitational effects on the back muscles. This allows for stretch, relaxation and recuperation of muscle cells.[0003]Numerous devices that apply gravitational lumbar dis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The next step provides the lumbar distraction to the patient. The height of the seat will be elevated by the chair's height-adjustable pneumatic, telescopic stand. As a result, the patient's legs, hips and lower back will be raised two to three centimeters off the ground, applying gravitational distraction to the lumbar and sacral spine, (hereinafter “Therapeutic Position.”) While suspended, the back muscles maintain a gentle gravitational stretch which aids in relaxing the back muscles and counteracts inflammation. The patient experiences immediate relief and muscle cells begin their recovery. The lumbar distraction also lengthens the spinal canal, alleviating pain caused by a herniated nucleus pulposus. The patient will be in this position for 20 minutes, three times per day. Dismounting can be done by unlocking the arm rests from the legs and sliding the legs off the seat.

Problems solved by technology

The constant wear and tear of the lumbar muscles leads to myofascial inflammation.

This inflammation over time causes back pain.

The Device provides gravitational lumbar distraction that stretches the back muscles causing them to fatigue and rest.

Unfortunately these uncomfortable positions are not well tolerated because of headaches, joint pains, conjunctival petechial hemorrhages: U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,532 to Ellis in 1967.

These morbidities may actually negate the therapeutic effect of the lumbar distraction.

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