Therapeutic device and method

Abstract

A new and useful therapeutic device and method designed to receive the occipital condyle of a human skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release), while also accounting for different anatomies of the persons who use it is provided. The therapeutic device includes a base and a cushion that are configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in either of two configurations; a relatively high configuration and a relatively low configuration. The base and cushion are also configured such that in either the relatively high or low configurations, the base and cushion define a support for the occipital condyle of a human skull and engages the suboccipital area of a human skull in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities (e.g. muscle inhibition, occipital decompression, cranio-sacral release). In addition, the therapeutic device is designed to enable a patient to selectively change the configuration from one support configuration to the other, and that may enable a person to take the fullest advantage of the device during a therapy session.

1 . A therapeutic device designed to receive and support the bony skull of a human head in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities, comprising a base and a cushion that are configured such that the cushion can be selectively supported on the base in one of a plurality of positions; including a first position in which the cushion extends above the base by a first amount, and a second position in which the cushion extends above the base by a second amount that is different from the first amount; the base and cushion further configured such that in either the first or second positions, the cushion provides a support for the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull. 
   
   
       2 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the base has a front wall with a predetermined curved configuration, and the cushion has in any of the plurality of positions (i) a curved wall that is disposed against and extends above the curved front wall of the base, (ii) a contact edge at the top of the curved wall and (iii) a bowl shaped recess extending away from the contact edge at the top of the curved wall and defining the support for the occipital condyle of a bony skull. 
   
   
       3 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the cushion has opposite top sides, each of which has a respective bowl shaped recess for the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull. 
   
   
       4 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein a respective one of the opposite top sides of the cushion is oriented to support the occipital condyle of a bony skull and to engage the suboccipital area of a bony skull when the base and cushion are in the first or second position. 
   
   
       5 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the bowl shaped recesses in each of the opposite top sides of the cushion has a predetermined spherical curvature. 
   
   
       6 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the base has a support portion configured to support the cushion when the base and cushion are in either of the first or second positions. 
   
   
       7 . A therapeutic device as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the support portion of the base comprises a ridge, and one of the top surfaces of the cushion has a border portion that is configured to rest on the ridge when the base and cushion are in the first position. 
   
   
       8 . A therapeutic device as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the cushion has a stepped portion between the top surfaces of the cushion, the stepped portion configured to rest on the ridge of the base when the base and cushion are in the second position. 
   
   
       9 . A cushion configured to receive and support the bony skull of a human head in a manner that promotes one or more therapeutic modalities, comprising a monolithic member that can be selectively supported on a base in either of two positions; a first position in which the cushion extends above the base by a first amount, and a second position in which the cushion extends above the base by a second amount that is different from the first amount; the cushion having a predetermined resilience and flexibility, and being further configured such that in either the first or second positions, the cushion defines a bowl shaped recess for the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull. 
   
   
       10 . A cushion as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the cushion has (i) a curved front wall and (ii) opposite top surfaces, each of which includes a respective bowl shaped recess for the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull. 
   
   
       11 . A cushion as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the bowl shaped recesses in each of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion extend rearward from the curved front wall of the cushion. 
   
   
       12 . A cushion as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the bowl shaped recesses in each of the opposite top surfaces of the cushion has a predetermined spherical curvature. 
   
   
       13 . A therapeutic device as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein one top surface of the cushion has a border portion that is configured to rest on a support portion of the base. 
   
   
       14 . A therapeutic device as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the cushion has a stepped border between the opposite top surfaces of the cushion, the stepped border configured to rest on a support portion of the base. 
   
   
       15 . A therapeutic method comprising the steps of
 a. providing a therapeutic device comprising a cushion supported on a base in one of a plurality of configurations, each of which is designed to receive a bony skull of a human head and to promote one or more therapeutic modalities, the cushion in each configuration providing a bowl shaped recess for receiving the occipital condyle of a bony skull and a contact edge for engaging the suboccipital area of a bony skull,   b. supporting the bony skull of a human head on the cushion with the occipital condyle of the bony skull received by the bowl shaped recess and the suboccipital area of the bony skull engaging the contact edge, and   c. thereafter allowing the bony skull of the human head to remain supported by the cushion in the manner set forth by step b for a sufficient time to promote at least one of the therapeutic modalities.   
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of configurations includes a first configuration in which the cushion extends above the base by a first amount and a second configuration in which the cushion extends above the base by a second amount that is different than the first amount. 
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the cushion has opposite sides, each of which has a bowl shaped recess and a contact edge, and wherein the step of providing the therapeutic device comprises positioning the cushion on the base such that a selected one of its opposite sides forms the bowl shaped recess and contact edge for receiving and supporting the bony skull of a human head. 
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the bony skull of the human head is allowed to remain supported in the manner set forth in  claim 15 c for a period sufficient to promote muscle inhibition. 
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the bony skull of the human head is allowed to remain supported in the manner set forth in  claim 15 c for a period sufficient to promote occipital decompression. 
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the human head is allowed to remain supported in the manner set forth in  claim 15 c for a period sufficient to promote cranio-sacral release.