Devices for relieving pelvic discomfort

Abstract

Devices are described that reduce pain associated with menstruation and other conditions and that operate by pressing upon the sacral/parasacral regions of a woman's lower back. In preferred embodiments a tensioning apparatus applies pressure onto a generally flat part that distributes force into the sacral and parasacral regions but avoids the lumbar region. The devices may assume a variety of forms such as belts, straps and foundation garments that can exert high pressures and may exceed 100 torr in some cases.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for alleviating pelvic pain in a woman, comprising a pressure distributor and a tensioning apparatus which can push the pressure distributor into the parasacral region and/or sacral region with at least 10 torr pressure while substantially not distributing force to the lumbar region of the woman's back.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning apparatus can push the pressure distributor into the woman's back to create at least 70 torr pressure.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning apparatus can push the pressure distributor into the woman's back to create at least 100 torr pressure.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioning apparatus is a foundation garment with a pocket for the force director, velcro pad on a foundation garment that matches velcro on a pressure distributor, a belt that permanently or reversibly affixes to the pressure distributor, a foundation garment, and/or a fabric mesh that encircles the woman's body,  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a part for adjusting the force applied to the pressure distributor, the part consisting of an adjustable strap, a drawstring, a velcro, a solid insert, an inflatable pouch, an inflatable bladder, and/or a belt.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure distributor pushes on the parasacral region with at least five times as much force than that applied to the lumbar region.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure distributor pushes on the parasacral region with at least ten times as much force than that applied to the lumbar region.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure distributor pushes on the parasacral region with at least fifty times as much force than that applied to the lumbar region.  
     
     
         9 . A foundation garment that preferentially applies pressure to the sacral area and/or parasacral area, while substantially avoiding the lumbar area, comprising a conforming pressure distributor positioned over the sacral and/or parasacral region wherein the pressure distributor presses upon the parasacral area when worn by a woman in need of treatment for pain.  
     
     
         10 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure distributor can press upon the parasacral area with a force of at least 10 torr pressure when worn by a woman in need of treatment for pelvic pain.  
     
     
         11 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure distributor can press upon the parasacral area with a force of at least 100 torr pressure when worn by a woman in need of treatment for pelvic pain.  
     
     
         12 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure distributor is concave shaped and presses upon the parasacral region with a force that is at least twice the force pressing upon the sacral region.  
     
     
         13 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure distributor presses upon the parasacral region with a force that exceeds by 2 fold the force pressing upon the lumbar region.  
     
     
         14 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure distributor presses upon the parasacral region with a force that exceeds by 10 fold the force pressing upon the lumbar region.  
     
     
         15 . The foundation garment of  claim 9 , wherein the force distributer is less than 5 centimeters thick and comprises a compressible material selected from the group consisting of plastic, foam, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, polyurethane, cellulose, synthetic fiber, laminate, fiberglass, and metal.  
     
     
         16 . The foundation garment of  claim 15 , wherein the force distributer is less than 3 centimeters thick.  
     
     
         17 . An improvement to a panty girdle, comprising: 
 adding a (a) pressure distributor positioned over the sacral and or parasacral region that substantially avoids the lumbar region; and a    (b) a means for adjusting pressure to the stiff portion while the panty girdle is worn.    
     
     
         18 . A means for alleviating pelvic pain in a woman, comprising continuously pressing the sacral and/or parasacral region of the woman's back while substantially avoiding the lumbar region, through a tensioning apparatus that is designed or modified for this purpose.  
     
     
         19 . A device for alleviating pelvic pain in a woman, comprising a conforming and generally flat pressure distributor and a tensioning apparatus, wherein the tensioning apparatus holds and continuously pushes the conforming and generally flat portion into the sacral and parasacral regions.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the conforming and generally flat portion has a thinner area down the middle and is positioned with the thinner area straddling the sacral region of the woman's back.