Portable cushion device for improving posture

Abstract

A cushion designed to alleviate or counteract the so-called forward head posture and/or its effects has a region sized and shaped to fit between a user's shoulder blades when the user lies in a supine position on a bed, a table or floor and the cushion is placed under the user's thoracic spine, especially upper thoracic spine. The height and/or firmness of the cushion is selected to cause the head and shoulders of the user to sag towards the substrate, thus counteracting the so called forward head posture and its effects, as well as opening the user's chest for improved wellness. And a therapeutic method for helping user reverse forward head posture and relieve its effects such pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulders.

1 . A cushion devoid of head support and shoulder support, the cushion comprising an interscapular region shaped to fit between the vertebral borders of a user's shoulder blades when the user lies in a supine position on a relatively flat support with the cushion placed under the user's thoracic spine, especially upper thoracic spine. 
     
     
         2 . The cushion according to  claim 1  wherein the interscapular region extends between the user's upper cervical spine and the lower thoracic spine. 
     
     
         3 . The cushion according to  claim 1  further comprising a thoracic support region corresponding to a user's thoracic area above or below the shoulder blades, the thoracic support region and the interscapular support region defining a letter “T”. 
     
     
         4 . The cushion according to  claim 3  comprising two thoracic support regions connected to the interscapular region so as to essentially encircle the user's shoulder blades and resemble a letter “H”. 
     
     
         5 . The cushion according to  claim 1 , comprising a hollow, flexible and enclosed shell having upper and lower sides, and being capable of containing fluid without substantial leakage. 
     
     
         6 . The cushion according to  claim 5  wherein the shell is inflatable and has one or more ports for filling the shell with a fluid. 
     
     
         7 . The cushion according to  claim 6  comprising spacing means for maintaining the volume of the shell when the port or ports are open to ambient pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The cushion according to  claim 6  comprising spacing means for maintaining the structural integrity of the shell. 
     
     
         9 . The cushion according to  claim 1  further comprising a cervical support region corresponding to a user's cervical area, the cervical support region and the interscapular support region defining a letter “T”. 
     
     
         10 . The cushion according to  claim 9  further comprising a thoracic support region corresponding to a user's thoracic area below the shoulder blades, the cervical support region, the interscapular support region and the thoracic support region defining a letter “H”. 
     
     
         11 . The cushion according to  claim 9  further comprising two thoracic support regions connected to the interscapular region so as to essentially encircle the user's shoulder blades and resemble a letter “H”. The cervical support region, the upper thoracic support region, the interscapular support region and the lower thoracic support region defining a letter “H”. 
     
     
         12 . The cushion according to  claim 11  wherein the cervical support region and the upper thoracic support region are seamlessly connected, 
     
     
         13 . A therapeutic method for reversing forward head posture and/or for relieving symptoms related thereof, comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a device of said invention,   b. placing said device on a substantially solid, stable and leveled surface with said device inflated to a desired thickness.   c. lying down, in a supine position, on said device with interscapular support region of said device placed in between the shoulder blades of the user. Gravity will gently reverse said user's head and open up said user's chest.   d. continuing lying on said device for 20 minutes or an otherwise predetermined period according to said user's therapeutic needs.   e. repeating above steps daily or according to an otherwise predetermined frequency according to said user's therapeutic needs, for 1 month or for an otherwise determined period according to said user's therapeutic needs.