Fitness and rehabilitation apparatus

Abstract

A flexible fitness and rehabilitation exercising and massaging apparatus formed from tubular, flexible, web-like material and having a plurality of internal pockets. The pockets may hold objects such as resilient balls that aid in gripping the apparatus, and which have also been found to be conducive to self-massage therapy. The objects may be removed, and alternative objects inserted, through openings that allow access to preselected pockets. The openings may include resealable fastener means.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A portable exercise device comprising: 
 an elongate, substantially tubular, structure formed from a web of flexible material, said structure having closed ends and a plurality of internal, longitudinally spaced, pockets located between said closed ends; and    a plurality of resilient objects, each object being contained within a preselected internal pocket.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each pocket contains one of said resilient objects and wherein each pocket further includes a reclosable opening.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of said openings includes reclosure fastener means.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said reclosure fastener means comprises a hook and loop fastening system.  
     
     
         5 . A portable exercising device comprising; 
 an elongate, substantially tubular, structure formed from a web of flexible material, said structure having closed ends and a plurality of internal, longitudinally spaced, pockets located between said closed ends; and    a plurality of resilient objects, each object being contained within a preselected internal pocket.    
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein each preselected pocket includes a reclosable opening.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said openings includes reclosure fastener means.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said reclosure fastener means comprises a hook and loop fastening system.  
     
     
         9 . A method of making an exercise device comprising: 
 a. Providing an elongated web of flexible material;    b. Folding said flexible material lengthwise to provide a tubular structure having at least one enclosed folded longitudinal edge surface and facing web surfaces extending laterally from said folded marginal edge surface;    c. Securing said facing web surfaces together at longitudinally spaced intervals to define at least one internal pocket having an enclosed bottom margin formed from said folded marginal edge surface and oppositely disposed sides extending from said bottom margin;    d. Providing a reclosable opening in said internal pocket for receiving a resilient object: and    e. Providing reclosure fastener means for said opening.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , including the step of providing said opening with reclosure means.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said reclosure means comprises a hook and loop fastening system.  
     
     
         12 . A method of therapeutically treating muscular aches, pains and stiffness, and wherein an affected muscle underlies a selected epidermal acupressure Ashi Point; said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an elongate, substantially tubular structure formed from a web of flexible material, said structure having at least one internal pocket located intermediate the end portions of said tubular structure and containing a resilient object within said pocket;    locating said pocketed resilient object proximate to said Ashi Point;    grasping the free end portions of said tubular structure;    stretching said tubular structure while grasping the free ends thereof and in a direction away from the location of said pocketed object to thereby apply pressure to said Ashi Point; and    maintaining said pressure for a prescribed time period.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said pocketed object is a resilient spherical orb.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said prescribed time period equates to four (4) deep breaths.