Muscle stretching device and method for using the same

Abstract

A device and method for stretching, toning and strengthening the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture. Typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems. The device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic treatment of the muscle problems by progressively stretching the muscles and thereby relieving the muscle problems.

1 ) A device for stretching the muscles in the chest, shoulder, neck and upper back to relieve tension related muscle problems comprising: 
 a) A platform comprising a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the top surface is padded for a user's comfort;    b) A plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface; and    c) A rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the user to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally perpendicular to the top of the platform.    
   
   
       2 ) The device according to  claim 1  whereby the handle bar is adapted to be rotated to a series of fixed positions relative to the top of the platform so as to increase or decrease the stretching movements of the user.  
   
   
       3 ) The device according the  claim 2  whereby the device is further adapted to provide resistance when the handle bar is slidingly moved by the user.  
   
   
       4 ) A method for stretching chest, shoulder, neck and upper back muscles of a patient to relieve tension related muscle problems comprising; 
 a) Providing a device comprising a platform comprising a generally flat longitudinally extending area comprising a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the top surface is padded for the patient's comfort, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom surface of the platform for positioning the device at an angle to a horizontal surface and a rotating handle bar slidingly attached to the bottom of the platform and adapted to allow the patient to stretch his or her muscles through sliding movement of the bar in a direction generally perpendicular to the top of the platform;    b) Positioning the patient on the platform of the device;    c) Engaging the patient in stretching exercises by setting the rotating handle bar to a position relative to the top of the platform; and    d) Directing the patient to slidingly move the rotating handle bar a plurality of times to stretch out muscles.    
   
   
       5 ) The method according to  claim 4  whereby the patient engages in progressively more strenuous exercises by setting the rotating handle bar to positions that create progressively more strenuous exercise.  
   
   
       6 ) The method according to  claim 4  whereby the device is adapted to provide resistance during the stretching exercises.  
   
   
       7 ) The method according the  claim 6  whereby the patient engages in progressively more strenuous exercises by increasing the amount of resistance.