Rehabilitation and exercise apparatus

Abstract

A therapeutic and/or exercise apparatus is provided for use in connection with structured, multiaxial, multi-pattern movement that aids in rehabilitation or enhances conditioning. The apparatus generally includes a base and a posture bar that is attached to and extends upwardly from the base. The posture bar is affixed to a top surface of the base and can be removable or collapsible for ease of storage. The top surface of the base also includes a recess therein for receiving one of a variety of controlled motion devices such as a rotary disk that moves freely or is restrained by resistance means or other proprioceptive tools. This feature provides a much more balanced exercise process while also naturally working the entire set of muscle groups related to the exercise rather than simply isolating a single motion or muscle.

1 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a base portion having a top surface and a receiver thereon;   a posture bar affixed to the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom;   a proprioceptive tool received in said receiver on said base portion, wherein said proprioceptive tool is a rotary disk that rotates freely relative to said base portion; and   a measurement device to determine a rotational position of the rotary disk relative to the base portion.   
   
   
       2 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said rotary disk that has limited rotation relative to said base portion. 
   
   
       3 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said rotary disk that rotates to a plurality of indexed positions relative to said base portion. 
   
   
       4 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said measurement device generates an electronic signal that reports the rotational position of the rotary disk relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       5 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic signal is used to measure the right to left rotation and the internal to external rotation of the same joint thereby assisting in identifying potential injury areas. 
   
   
       6 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic signal is used to show the user various movements to be performed in order to test the users stability and proprioception. 
   
   
       7 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said electronic signal is used with interactive games that detect the user's various positions including their balance, strength and posture to assist in rehabilitating or retraining the user's movements. 
   
   
       8 . An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a base portion having a top surface and a receiver thereon;   a posture bar affixed to the base portion and extending upwardly therefrom;   a proprioceptive tool received in said receiver on said base portion, wherein said proprioceptive tool is a rotary disk that rotates freely relative to said base portion; and   a variable resistance mechanism that controls or limits rotation of the rotary disk relative to said base portion.   
   
   
       9 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said variable resistance mechanism is magnetic. 
   
   
       10 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said variable resistance mechanism is electromagnetic. 
   
   
       11 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a measurement device to determine a rotational position of the rotary disk relative to the base portion.   
   
   
       12 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said measurement device generates an electronic signal that reports the rotational position of the rotary disk relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       13 . The exercise apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said electronic signal is used in connection with said variable resistance mechanism to control or limit rotation of the rotary disk relative to said base portion.