Proprioceptor Stimulation Material

Abstract

A proprioceptor stimulation material includes a plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes that may be arranged to stimulate small nerve proprioceptors in a user. The plurality of nodes may be arranged in diamond-shaped patterns and may stimulate small nerves in a user. The material may provide a pattern and/or texture that may stabilize a user's balance. The material may also provide friction when pressure may be applied from the user on the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes. The material and/or the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes may provide a hardness that may activate a user's nerves. Further, the material may reflect and absorb vibration external to the material.

1 . A proprioceptor stimulation material, comprising:
 a plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes integrated along a top surface of the material, the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes provided to target and stimulate small nerve proprioceptors of a user when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the material.   
     
     
         2 . The material of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insulating layer provided adjacent the top surface, the insulating layer arranged to reflect and absorb external vibration; and   a backing layer provided adjacent the insulating layer, the backing layer arranged to prevent the material from sliding along a surface in which the material is placed and utilized.   
     
     
         3 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes stretch the user's skin when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the material, and wherein proprioceptors in the user's feet and hands are stimulated. 
     
     
         4 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes create resistance against the user's skin when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the material. 
     
     
         5 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the backing layer provides a backing length that is longer than a top length of the material, and wherein the backing layer extends beyond opposite sides of the top surface. 
     
     
         6 . The material of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a material hardness of each node of the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes provided to reverberate a frequency of vibration.   
     
     
         7 . The material of  claim 6 , wherein the material hardness of each node of the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes is approximately 30 Shore A. 
     
     
         8 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material activates postural muscles of the user and reduces lateral sway of the user's stance. 
     
     
         9 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material is in the form of a yoga mat. 
     
     
         10 . The material of  claim 1 , wherein the material is in the form of an insole material. 
     
     
         11 . A yoga mat, comprising:
 a proprioceptor stimulation material integrated along a top surface of the yoga mat;   a plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes integrated with the proprioceptor stimulation material along the top surface of the yoga mat, the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes provided to stimulate small nerve proprioceptors of a user when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the yoga mat;   an insulating layer provided adjacent the top surface, the insulating layer arranged to reflect and absorb external vibration; and   a backing layer provided adjacent the insulating layer, the backing layer arranged to prevent the yoga mat from sliding along a surface in which the yoga mat is placed and utilized.   
     
     
         12 . The yoga mat of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes stretch the user's skin when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the yoga mat. 
     
     
         13 . The yoga mat of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes create resistance against the user's skin when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the yoga mat. 
     
     
         14 . The yoga mat of  claim 11 , wherein the backing layer provides a backing length that is longer than a top length of the yoga mat, and wherein the backing layer extends beyond opposite sides of the top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The yoga mat of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a material hardness of each node of the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes provided to reverberate a frequency of vibration. 
 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The yoga mat of  claim 11 , wherein the material activates postural muscles of the user and reduces lateral sway of the user's stance. 
     
     
         18 . A flooring material, comprising:
 a plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes integrated with a proprioceptor stimulation material along the top surface of the flooring material, the plurality of pyramid-shaped nodes provided to stimulate small nerve proprioceptors of a user when the user applies pressure to the top surface of the flooring material;   an insulating layer provided adjacent the top surface, the insulating layer arranged to reflect and absorb external vibration; and   a backing layer provided adjacent the insulating layer, the backing layer arranged to prevent the flooring material from sliding along a surface in which the flooring material is placed and utilized.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An insole, comprising:
 an insole material, comprising:
 a plurality of nodes provided to stimulate small nerve proprioceptors of a user when the user applies pressure on the plurality of nodes, 
   wherein the insole material activates postural muscles of the user and reduces lateral sway of the user's stance.   
     
     
         21 . The insole of  claim 20 , wherein each node of the plurality of nodes provides a pyramid-shape that stretches the user's skin when the user applies pressure to the insole. 
     
     
         22 . The insole of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 a material hardness of each node of the plurality of nodes provided to reverberate a frequency of vibration.