Sleeping apparatus and related methods

Abstract

Described are sleeping apparatus and related methods that involve a motion-limiting member, a therapeutic device, or both, positioned at the lumbar spine.

1 . A method of preventing a person from assuming a supine position during sleep, the method comprising: 
 providing an apparatus comprising 
 a flexible, elongated waist belt having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, and a sufficient length to encircle the waist of a person, and  
 a motion-limiting member protruding from the first surface of the belt and extending along at least a portion of the length of the belt,  
   securing the belt around the waist of the body so the motion-limiting member is located proximal to the lumbar region of the person, and    wearing the apparatus during sleep.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion-limiting member comprises a body of a size sufficient to prevent a person from moving into the supine position during sleep when the motion-limiting member is located proximal to the lumbar spine area.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises a therapeutic device comprising a nerve stimulation device, a thermo-regulatory device, a deep-heating device with ultrasound, a massage device, or a combination two or more of these.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion-limiting member comprises first and second side surfaces extending from the belt, the first and second side surfaces having a thickness extending at least three inches from the belt.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion-limiting member has a length in the range from 8 to 20 inches and the first and second side surfaces have a thickness extending from 3 to 6 inches from the belt.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion-limiting member comprises at least a first body segment and a second body segment adjacent to the first body segment, wherein the first body segment is more rigid than the second body segment.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the motion-limiting member comprises at least three body segments including a middle body segment and two end body segments at opposite sides of the middle body segment, wherein the end body segments are more rigid than the middle body segment.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the end body segments comprise rigid supportive material and the middle body segment comprises soft pliable material.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises a rigid plate positioned along a length of the belt proximal to the motion-limiting member, wherein the plate is positioned and sized to prevent movement of the motion-limiting member during sleeping.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises lower body apparel comprising a waist belt and a motion-limiting member extending proximal to a length of the waist belt so that when the lower body apparel is worn by a person, the motion-limiting member is located along a lumbar portion of the spine.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the motion-limiting member comprises a pad detachable from the lower body apparel.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein 
 the lower body apparel comprises a nerve stimulation device, a thermo-regulatory device, a deep-heating device with ultrasound, a massage device, or a combination of two or more of these, and    the method comprises treating a wearer of the apparel using one or a combination of the devices.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein when the apparel is worn, the motion-limiting member prevents the wearer from assuming a supine position during sleep.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the lower body apparel comprises a nerve stimulation device with conductive electrodes.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  comprising treating a condition selected from sleep apnea, snoring, muscle tension, and low back pain.  
   
   
       16 . A method of treating the lumbar spine area during sleep, the method comprising: 
 providing a sleep apparatus comprising: 
 a flexible, elongated waist belt having sufficient length to encircle the waist of a person,  
 a therapeutic device located along at least a portion of the length of the belt, wherein the therapeutic device is sized and positioned to provide therapy to the lumbar spine area,  
   securing the belt around the waist of the body so the motion-limiting member is located proximal to the lumbar region of the person, and    wearing the apparatus during sleep.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the therapeutic device is selected from a nerve stimulation device, a thermo-regulatory device, a deep-heating device with ultrasound, a massage device, or a combination two or more of these.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the sleep apparatus comprises lower body apparel comprising a waist belt and a therapeutic device located along at least a portion of the length of the waist belt, wherein the therapeutic device is sized and positioned to provide therapy to the lumbar spine area.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16  comprising treating a condition selected from sleep apnea, snoring, muscle tension, and low back pain.