Therapeutic device for improving neuromuscular balance and pain conditions

Abstract

A therapeutic device includes a base, a wall extending upward from the base, and left and right platforms. Additionally, the devices includes a left hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the left platform to the wall, and a right hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the right platform to the wall. One or more left springs that bias the left platform upward relative to the base, and one or more right springs that bias the right platform upward relative to the base. In certain embodiments, the left and right platforms are respectively left and right lower platforms, and the device also includes left and right upper platforms located respectively above the left and right lower platforms, as well as further springs extending between the lower platforms and the upper platforms to bias portions of the upper platforms upward relative to the lower platforms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A therapeutic device, comprising:
 a base configured to be parallel to and supported by a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests;   a wall extending upward from the base;   a left platform;   a right platform;   a left hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the left platform to the wall;   a right hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the right platform to the wall;   one or more left springs that bias the left platform upward relative to the base such that the left platform is generally parallel to the base when a person is not using the therapeutic device, and thus, the left platform is generally parallel to a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests when a person is not using the therapeutic device; and   one or more right springs that bias the right platform upward relative to the base such that the right platform is generally parallel to the base when a person is not using the therapeutic device, and thus, the right platform is generally parallel to a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests when a person is not using the therapeutic device.   
     
     
         2 . The therapeutic device of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right platforms are configured to engage and support, respectively, left and right feet of a person standing on the left and right platforms of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         3 . The therapeutic device of  claim 2 , wherein the left and right springs are configured to at least partially compress, thereby causing the left and right platforms to rotate and slant downward from the wall to which the left and right platforms are rotatably attached by the left and right hinges, when a person stands on the left and right platforms of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         4 . The therapeutic device of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right springs are configured to at least partially compress, thereby causing the left and right platforms to rotate and slant downward from the wall to which the left and right platforms are rotatably attached by the left and right hinges, when the therapeutic device is being used by a person. 
     
     
         5 . The therapeutic device of  claim 1 , wherein one or more left springs and the one or more right springs cause the left and right platforms to be coplanar with one another and generally parallel to the base when the therapeutic device is not being used. 
     
     
         6 . The therapeutic device of  claim 1 , wherein the left and right platforms are respectively left and right lower platforms, and further comprising:
 left and right upper platforms located respectively above the left and right lower platforms;   one or more further left springs that extend between the left lower platform and the left upper platform and that bias a portion of the left upper platform upward relative to the left lower platform; and   one or more further right springs that extend between the right lower platform and the right upper platform and that bias a portion of the right upper platform upward relative to the right lower platform.   
     
     
         7 . The therapeutic device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the one or more further left springs cause the left upper platform to rest above the left lower platform at an acute angle relative to the left lower platform when the therapeutic device is not being used; and   the one or more further right springs cause the right upper platform to rest above the right lower platform at an acute angle relative to the right lower platform when the therapeutic device is not being used.   
     
     
         8 . The therapeutic device of  claim 7 , wherein the further left and right springs are configured to at least partially compress when a person uses the therapeutic device such that front portions of the left and right upper platforms move closer to front portions of the left and right lower platforms when a person uses the therapeutic device, compared to when the therapeutic device is not being used. 
     
     
         9 . The therapeutic device of  claim 6 , wherein the left and right upper platforms are configured to engage and support, respectively, left and right feet of a person standing on the left and right upper platforms of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         10 . The therapeutic device of  claim 6 , wherein axes of rotation for the left and right upper platforms are above axes of rotation for the left and right lower platforms. 
     
     
         11 . A therapeutic device, comprising:
 a left base portion configured to be parallel to and supported by a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests;   a right base portion configured to be next to the left base portion and parallel to and supported by a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests;   a left wall portion extending upward from the left base portion;   a right wall portion extending upward from the right base portion;   a left platform;   a right platform;   a left hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the left platform to the left wall portion;   a right hinge that rotatably attaches one end of the right platform to the right wall portion;   one or more left springs that bias the left platform upward relative to the left base portion such that the left platform is generally parallel to the left base portion when a person is not using the therapeutic device, and thus, the left platform is generally parallel to a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests when a person is not using the therapeutic device; and   one or more right springs that bias the right platform upward relative to the right base portion such that the right platform is generally parallel to the right base portion when a person is not using the therapeutic device, and thus, the right platform is generally parallel to a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests when a person is not using the therapeutic device.   
     
     
         12 . The therapeutic device of  claim 11 , wherein the left and right platforms are configured to engage and support, respectively, left and right feet of a person standing on the left and right platforms of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         13 . The therapeutic device of  claim 12 , wherein the left and right springs are configured to at least partially compress, thereby causing the left and right platforms to rotate and slant downward, respectively, from the left and right wall portions to which the left and right platforms are rotatably attached by the left and right hinges, when a person stands on the left and right platforms of the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         14 . The therapeutic device of  claim 11 , wherein the left and right springs are configured to at least partially compress, thereby causing the left and right platforms to rotate and slant downward from the wall to which the left and right platforms are rotatably attached by the left and right hinges, when the therapeutic device is being used by a person. 
     
     
         15 . The therapeutic device of  claim 11 , wherein one or more left springs and the one or more right springs cause the left and right platforms to be coplanar with one another and generally parallel to the base when the therapeutic device is not being used. 
     
     
         16 . The therapeutic device of  claim 11 , wherein the left and right platforms are respectively left and right lower platforms, and further comprising:
 left and right upper platforms located respectively above the left and right lower platforms;   one or more further left springs that extend between the left lower platform and the left upper platform and that bias a portion of the left upper platform upward relative to the left lower platform; and   one or more further right springs that extend between the right lower platform and the right upper platform and that bias a portion of the right upper platform upward relative to the right lower platform;   wherein the one or more further left springs cause the left upper platform to rest above the left lower platform at an acute angle relative to the left lower platform when the therapeutic device is not being used; and   wherein the one or more further right springs cause the right upper platform to rest above the right lower platform at an acute angle relative to the right lower platform when the therapeutic device is not being used.   
     
     
         17 . A therapeutic device, comprising:
 a base configured to be supported by a floor or ground on which the therapeutic device rests;   left and right platforms configured to rest a distance above the base, co-planar with one another, and generally parallel to the base, when a person is not using the therapeutic device; and   left and right hinges attached to respective ends of the left and right platforms and that define axes of rotation for the left and right platforms, about which the left and right platforms rotate when a person uses the therapeutic device.   
     
     
         18 . The therapeutic device of  claim 17 , further comprising springs that assist in causing the left and right platforms to rest the distance above the base, co-planar with one another, and generally parallel to the base, when a person is not using the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         19 . The therapeutic device of  claim 18 , wherein the springs compress when a person uses the therapeutic device. 
     
     
         20 . The therapeutic device of  claim 17 , wherein the left and right platforms are respectively left and right lower platforms, and further comprising:
 left and right upper platforms located respectively above the left and right lower platforms;   wherein the axes of rotation for the left and right upper platforms are above the left and right lower platforms.