Therapeutic substance and acupressure system

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a system includes an acupressure device configured to apply pressure to one or more pressure points on a mammal. The system further includes a therapeutic substance coupled to the acupressure device.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A combination acupressure and aromatherapy device, the device comprising:
 a band for encircling a portion of the body of a mammal, the band sized so that the band is held in place by pressure exerted by the band on the body;   a raised element located on the interior side of the band so that, when the band is worn and positioned at a desired pressure point on the body of the wearer, the raised element extends toward the body to apply a constant pressure to the desired pressure point; and   an aromatic essential oil included in the material forming the band or contained within a reservoir associated with the band, wherein the aromatic essential oil emits an aroma for inhalation by the mammal to provide an aromatherapy effect.   
     
     
         26 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  where the device is reusable and can be easily removed from the body of a wearer and then put back on at the same or a different location on the wearer's body. 
     
     
         27 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  where the device when worn forms a continuous loop around a portion of the wearer's body and is not held in place by an adhesive. 
     
     
         28 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  wherein the band is formed from a material including an aromatic essential oil. 
     
     
         29 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  wherein the band comprises a mixture including a polymer and an aromatic essential oil. 
     
     
         30 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  where the device is configured to fit completely around the head, neck, an arm, or a leg of a user. 
     
     
         31 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  where the band is formed from a natural or synthetic polymer. 
     
     
         32 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  wherein the band is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic vulcanite injected moldable latex-free rubber. 
     
     
         33 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  wherein the band for encircling a portion of the body of a mammal is a wrist band for encircling the wrist of a human. 
     
     
         34 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of  claim 33  wherein the raised element is configured to apply constant pressure to the P 6  pressure point when positioned on the wrist of the wearer. 
     
     
         35 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  wherein the desired pressure point is selected from a group consisting of P 6 , LI 4 , L 8 , H 7 , PC 2 -PC 9 , TH 1 -TH 14 , LU 3 -LU 11 , TW 5 , LI 11 , LI 2 , LI 3 , LI 7 , LI 14 , L 14 , LI 5 , LI 8 , LI 10 , LI 12 , LI 13 , P 3 , P 7 , HT 7 , and LI 1 . 
     
     
         36 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  1  where the pressure exerted by the band on the body of the wearer can be adjusted to increase or decrease the constant pressure applied by the raised element to a pressure point. 
     
     
         37 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of claim  2  where the pressure exerted by the band on the body of the wearer is adjusted by tightening or loosening the band using an adjustable fastener. 
     
     
         38 . A combination acupressure and aromatherapy device, the device comprising:
 a flexible band, having an inside and an outside, for encircling a portion of the body of a mammal with the inside toward the body and configured to be wearable, so that when the band is in place encircling the desired portion of the body the band will remain in place;   a raised element located on the inside of the band so that the band can be positioned over a desired pressure point on the body of the wearer with the raised element extending toward the body to apply a constant pressure to the desired pressure point; and   a therapeutic substance coupled to the band, the therapeutic substance comprising a substance configured to provide one or more beneficial effects on the body and/or mind of the wearer when delivered to the body of the wearer through inhalation or transdermal delivery.   
     
     
         39 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of  claim 38  wherein the therapeutic substance comprises an essential oil that emits an aroma for inhalation by the wearer to provide an aromatherapy effect. 
     
     
         40 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of  claim 38  in which the band is formed from a first material and in which the therapeutic substance coupled to the band comprises a therapeutic substance infused into the first material. 
     
     
         41 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of  claim 38  in which the therapeutic substance coupled to the band comprises a therapeutic substance contained within a reservoir attached to the band. 
     
     
         42 . The combination acupres sure and aromatherapy device of  claim 38  where the device when worn forms a continuous loop around a portion of the wearer's body and is not held in place by an adhesive. 
     
     
         43 . The combination acupressure and aromatherapy device of  claim 38  where the device is sized to fit around the desired portion of the body so that the band is held in place by friction when worn.