Method and apparatus for torso muscle lengthening

Abstract

Posture improvement by conducting a set of stretch protocols with an inelastic strap which lengthen front torso muscles in order to reduce forward head position, and to decrease rounded shoulders. Posture improvement is monitored by periodically taking hip to rib, sternum to shoulder, and shoulder to shoulder measurements. The protocols may be performed at home, or in groups such as company sponsored activity. The strap may include markings to permit a participant to readily determine desired hand positions on the strap for a stretch protocol.

1 . A method of improving the posture of a human by lengthening the muscles of the torso, the human having a head, left arm, left hand, right arm, right hand, and rib area, the method comprising 
 performing a left Archer stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the head,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the left arm,  
 bending the right arm, such that the upper portion of the right arm contacts  
 the rib area, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;  
   performing a right Archer stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the head,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the right arm,  
 bending the left arm, such that the upper portion of the left arm contacts  
 the rib area, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;  
   performing a left Liberty stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the head,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the left arm above the head with the left elbow bent,  
 extending the right arm at a downward angle, such that the right arm and  
 the left elbow lie approximately along the same line, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;  
   performing a right Liberty stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the head,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the right arm above the head with the right elbow bent,  
 extending the left arm at a downward angle, such that the left arm and the  
 right elbow lie approximately along the same line, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly;  
   performing a Victory stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the head,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the left arm at an upward angle above the head,  
 extending the right arm at an upward angle above the head, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly; and  
   performing a Balance stretch protocol comprising 
 grasping a strap with the right hand and the left hand,  
 positioning the strap behind the waist,  
 bending the left arm, such that the upper portion of the left arm contacts the rib area,  
 bending the right arm, such that the upper portion of the right arm contacts the rib area,  
 inhaling a breath,  
 extending the left hand approximately horizontally from the left elbow,  
 extending the right hand approximately horizontally from the right elbow, and  
 applying tension to the strap while exhaling slowly.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the stretch protocols are performed with a non-elastic strap.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 
 the stretch protocols are performed with instruction.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein 
 the instruction is provided through a television monitor.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein 
 the instruction is provided through a computer monitor.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein 
 the instruction is provided with an instructor.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein 
 the instruction is provided with a poster, such that the poster illustrates the position of each stretch protocol.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising 
 periodically taking a measurement of posture improvement, the measurement selected from the group consisting of 
 a hip to rib measurement,  
 a sternum to shoulder measurement, and  
 a shoulder to shoulder measurement.  
   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein 
 the periodic measurements are recorded.    
   
   
       10 . A method for monitoring posture improvement, the method comprising 
 measuring a first hip to rib distance at a first time;    performing, for a plurality of days, a set of lengthening stretches comprising 
 a left Archer stretch protocol,  
 a right Archer stretch protocol,  
 a left Liberty stretch protocol,  
 a right Liberty stretch protocol,  
 a Victory stretch protocol, and  
 a Balance stretch protocol.  
   measuring a second hip to rib distance at a second time; and    determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second hip to rib distances.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising 
 measuring a first sternum to shoulder distance at the first time;    measuring a second sternum to shoulder distance at the second time; and    determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second sternum to shoulder distances.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising 
 measuring a first shoulder to shoulder distance at the first time;    measuring a second shoulder to shoulder distance at the second time; and    determining improvement by calculating the difference between the first and second shoulder to shoulder distances.    
   
   
       13 . An exercise strap for use in torso lengthening exercises, the strap comprising 
 a non-elastic fabric strip having 
 a length,  
 a width, such that the length is much greater than the width, and  
 a top surface; and  
   a plurality of reference markings on the top surface, such that 
 a first desired hand position may be determined from the reference markings; and ’a second desired hand position may be determined from the reference markings, such that the second hand position is spaced apart from the first hand position.  
   
   
   
       14 . A system for executing stretching protocols over a plurality of days, from a start day to an end day, and for monitoring the results of the stretching protocols, the system comprising 
 an instruction for performing a set of lengthening stretches comprising 
 a left Archer stretch protocol,  
 a right Archer stretch protocol,  
 a left Liberty stretch protocol,  
 a right Liberty stretch protocol,  
 a Victory stretch protocol, and  
 a Balance stretch protocol;  
   a log for recording 
 measurements of posture at the start day and the end day, the measurement selected from the group consisting of 
 a hip to rib measurement,  
 a sternum to shoulder measurement, and  
 a shoulder to shoulder measurement,  
 
 the performance times, for each of the plurality of days, of the set of lengthening stretches; and  
   an inelastic strap for performing the stretch protocols.