Rehabilative exercising chair

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an exercise chair for aiding in the alleviation of lower back pain. The chair device of the present invention comprises a central post portion defining a central axis with a base at one end and a coupling portion fashioned to be tilted relative to the central axis at the other end. A coil spring is concentrically located on the central axis and affixed to the post portion at the one end and to the coupling portion at the other end. The coil spring is normally biased to maintain the seat of the chair in a non-tilted position. Also disclosed herein, is a method of practice employing the chair device. In the method, a user in a seated position on the chair selectively and reversibly rotates their pelvic / hip region in three possible dimensions about a point of origin substantially centrally located to their pelvic region in various directions resulting in stretching and strengthening exercises of the abdominal, lumbar and pelvic / hip regions of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is related to and claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 007,982, filed Dec. 18, 2007 entitled “Pelvic Rock Chair”, the disclosure of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a rehabilitative exercise device to aid in the alleviation and prevention of back pain in an individual. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exercise chair wherein user controlled movements of the seat portion allow for broad ranges of pelvic / hip and abdominal ranges of motion for stretching and strengthening exercises of the lower back, pelvic / hip and abdominal regions of the body.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A study published in 2007 by researchers in the United Kingdom using a representative population revealed that troublesome lower back pain was evident in about 25% of the respondents (Parsons S., et al., Fam Pract. 2007 Septem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exercising chair comprising a post portion defining a central axis, the post portion having first and second end regions, a base connected to the post portion at the first end region, a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis and adjacent the second end region, a seat portion, a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region, the coupling portion being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion relative to the central axis, the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis.

[0009]According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an exercising chair comprising a telescoping post portion having first and second end regions, a base connected to the post at the first end region; a support flange having a central passage affixed to the post portion near the second end region, the post portion defining a central axis; a seat portion; a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region; a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis between the coupling portion and the support flange; a ball joint having a saddle portion and a ball portion located intermediate the second end region and the coupling portion on the central axis and extending concentrically through the coil spring; the ball portion being connected to the second end and the saddle portion being connected to the coupling portion; the coupling portion and the ball joint being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion about the ball portion; the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis.

[0011]According to another aspect of the invention, a method of exercising the lower back and pelvic regions of a user is provided comprising the user engaging a chair comprising a post portion defining a central axis, the post portion having first and second end regions, a base connected to the post portion at the first end region, a coil spring concentrically located on the central axis and adjacent the second end region, a seat portion, a coupling portion for supporting the seat portion relative to the post portion at the second end region, the coupling portion being arranged to permit substantially free tilting movement of the seat portion relative the central axis, the coil spring operable to bias the seat portion to a neutral position relative to the central axis, and rocking the body about the central axis, against the bias of the spring, while engaged to the chairDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016]In preferred embodiments of the present invention the post portion is provided with means for length adjustment, making it suitable for patients of different height, but also extending the range of possible rehabilitative exercises which the health practitioner can prescribe for an individual, by varying the relative disposition of the patient's back and legs.

Problems solved by technology

This low back pain may result from several organic parameters such as, for example, improper articular joint function of the lower back and pelvic / hip regions, tightness of the myofascial tissue surrounding the musculature of the lower back and pelvic / hip regions, lower back lordosis and discogenic issues of the lumbar spine such as disc derangement and inflammation.

Due to the nature of lower back pain as it is presented in individuals, limited mobility and balance issues are often observed.

Limited mobility and balance issues render the patient in a position to fall over, being unable to get up, and other situations which can lead to further injury and increased severity of the lower back pain condition.

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