Nerve treatment apparatus and method

Abstract

Nerve treatment/mobilization apparatuses are configured to mobilize a user's peripheral nervous system. The nerve treatment apparatus includes a back support, a pair of force applying members and a neck cradle. Additional optional attachments include upper body nerve mobilization tracks and a lower peripheral nerve mobilization device.

1 . A nerve treatment apparatus comprising:
 a back support;   a pair of force applying members that are configured to apply forces to a user along predefined directions; and   a neck cradle member movable with respect to the back support, the neck cradle member being configured to engage a user substantially adjacent the user's occiput and to facilitate retraction of the user's cervical spine.   
     
     
         2 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces adjacent the user's anterior humeral heads. 
     
     
         3 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces adjacent the user's anterior humeral heads, each of the force applying members being configured to apply a force in a direction having an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the back support and an angle of about 45 degrees relative to a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the back support. 
     
     
         4 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces in directions along the user's lower trapezius muscle fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces effective to activate the user's lower trapezius muscles. 
     
     
         6 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces adjacent the user's anterior shoulder areas, each of the force applying members being configured to apply a force in a direction having an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the back support and an angle of about 45 degrees relative to a vertical plane that is perpendicular to the back support. 
     
     
         7 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces substantially adjacent the user's anterior shoulder areas the forces being directed along an interior, posterior direction of about 45 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are movable with respect to the back support. 
     
     
         9 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces effective to facilitate cervical retraction in the user. 
     
     
         10 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces effective to direct the user's lower cervical curve into extension and the user's upper cervical curve into flexion. 
     
     
         11 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces effective to facilitate a posterior, inferior glide of the subject's scapulae. 
     
     
         12 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to apply forces in directions effective to facilitate movement of the user's scapulae in a retracted inferior glide. 
     
     
         13 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to intermittently apply forces to the user along predefined directions. 
     
     
         14 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are configured to automatically apply forces to the user adjacent the user's anterior should area along predefined directions. 
     
     
         15 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force applying members are operatively coupled to a motor and a motor control, such that the force applying members are operative to automatically apply force to the user along predefined directions. 
     
     
         16 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support is configured to direct the user's lumbar spine into extension. 
     
     
         21 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one nerve mobilization track operatively coupled to the back support. 
     
     
         31 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one nerve mobilization track includes a radial nerve mobilization track, a median nerve mobilization track and an ulnar nerve mobilization track. 
     
     
         35 . The nerve treatment apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a lower body slider that is movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the back support. 
     
     
         36 - 64 . (canceled)