Method and apparatus for physical therapy exercise

Abstract

A method for exercise, physical therapy and rehabilitation includes providing an elastic member having a tension indicator, securing one end of the elastic member, and stretching the elastic member using a part of the body until the tension indicator indicates that a predetermined tension level has been attained. Upon reaching the predetermined tension level, the elastic member is returned to its relaxed state. The tension indicator on the elastic member may be a printed image of recognizable image that distorts to another recognizable image at the predetermined tension level, a printed non-recognizable image that distorts to a recognizable pattern or image at the predetermined tension level, or an electronic indicator that provides audio and/or visual cues at the predetermined tension level.

1 . A method for exercising, rehabilitating, or strengthening a user's body using an elastic member, comprising: 
 a. providing an elastic member, said member comprising a tension indicator;    b. securing a first portion of said elastic member at a first position;    c. engaging a second portion of said elastic member with a first part of a user's body;    d. moving said first body part in a direction away from said first position such that said elastic member is placed in tension; and    e. monitoring said tension indicator to determine when a predetermined tension has been attained in said elastic member.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first body part is chosen from the group consisting of a limb, a head, an extremity, and a digit.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first position comprises a second part of said user's body.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said moving step comprises moving said first body part in a direction away from said second body part and moving said second body part in a direction away from said first body part.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said second part of said user's body is maintained in a stationary, fixed position.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first position is a fixed position.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic member has an upper and lower surface, and wherein the tension indicator comprises indicia on at least one of said surfaces of said elastic member.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said indicia comprise a first recognizable image when said elastic member is not in tension.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said indicia comprise a pattern selected from the group consisting of pointillist patterns, halftone patterns, moiré patterns, and combinations thereof, and wherein said indicia form a predetermined recognizable pattern when said predetermined tension is attained.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring step comprises observing said indicia change appearance as said elastic member is placed in tension.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said tension indicator comprises an electronic indicator operable to provide a cue when said predetermined tension is attained.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cue comprises an audible indicator.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cue comprises a visual indicator.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said visual indicator comprises a light-emitting indicator.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said light-emitting indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said cue comprises an audible indicator and a visual indicator.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said elastic member further comprises at least one handle for grasping said elastic member.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said electronic indicator comprises a strain gage.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for use in exercising, rehabilitating or strengthening a user's body, comprising: 
 an elastic member having upper and lower surfaces and first and second portions; and    a tension indicator comprising indicia on said upper surface between said first and second portions, said tension indicator operable to provide a visual cue when said elastic member attains a predetermined tension, wherein said indicia are selected from the group consisting of halftone patterns, pointillist patterns, moiré patterns, and combinations thereof.    
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said indicia form a predetermined recognizable pattern when said elastic member is stretched to a predetermined tension.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising indicia on said lower surface between said first and second portions, wherein said indicia are selected from the group consisting of halftone patterns, pointillist patterns, moiré patterns, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         22 . An apparatus for use in exercising, rehabilitating or strengthening a user's body, comprising: 
 an elastic member having first and second portions; and    a tension indicator comprising an electronic indicator, said tension indicator operable to provide a cue when said elastic member attains a predetermined tension.    
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said cue comprises an audible indicator.  
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said cue comprises a visual indicator.  
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein said visual indicator comprises a light-emitting indicator.  
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one handle affixed near said second portion for grasping said elastic member.  
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said electronic indicator comprises a strain gauge.  
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said electronic indicator is located between said first and second portions of said elastic member.  
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said apparatus further comprises a handle, and wherein said indicator is located between a first end of said elastic member and said handle.  
     
     
         30 . A method for exercising, rehabilitating or strengthening a user's body using an elastic member, comprising: 
 providing an elastic member, wherein a surface of said elastic member comprises indicia for indicating tension in said elastic member;    securing a first portion of said elastic member at a first location;    engaging a second portion of said elastic member with a first part of a user's body;    moving said first body part in a direction away from said first location such that said elastic member is placed in tension; and    monitoring said indicia to determine when a predetermined tension has been attained in said elastic member.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said indicia comprise an image which changes appearance as said elastic member is placed in tension.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said image is a pattern selected from the group comprising pointillist patterns, halftone patterns, moiré patterns, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein said image is not recognizable when said elastic member is not in tension, and is recognizable when said predetermined tension has been attained.