Stretching apparatus and method of stretching

Abstract

A hands-free human exercise apparatus and method, including a method of use. The stretching apparatus and method promote beneficial stretching of ambulatory muscles for a broad spectrum of users, to maintain and increase flexibility and dexterity, improved joint health, mobility, or pain management, and facilitating greater balance and proprioception and stimulating rehabilitation. The apparatus includes a multi-directional, multi-configurable, and adjustable harness comprising a one or dual strap configuration having a unique multi joint activating foot anchor. The apparatus and method facilitate stretching of a single leg, or both legs, through the ambulatory chain of muscles and joints, and with the foot anchor exploiting the flexion of the spine, full extension of the leg and pelvis, and the full flexion of the user's foot.

I claim: 
     
         1 : A method for stretching exercise comprising:
 disposing a harness body on a torso of a user;   connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body;   engaging at least one lower extremity with the at least one extremity fulcrum strap; and   tensioning the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap.   
     
     
         2 : The method according to  claim 1  wherein the step of disposing a harness system comprises:
 providing a diaphragm bolster connected to the harness body; and 
 releasably securing, with an adjustable waist belt, the diaphragm bolster around the torso. 
 
     
     
         3 : The method according to  claim 2  wherein the step of disposing the harness system further comprises:
 providing adjustable shoulder straps connected to the harness body; 
 placing the shoulder straps over the user's shoulders; 
 releasably connecting the shoulder straps to the diaphragm bolster; and 
 positioning the diaphragm bolster by adjusting effective lengths of the shoulder straps. 
 
     
     
         4 : The method according to  claim 3  wherein the step of connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body comprises:
 attaching an adjustable anchor loop to a side of the diaphragm bolster; 
 engaging the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the anchor loop; and 
 adjusting an effective length of the anchor loop. 
 
     
     
         5 : The method according to  claim 4  wherein the step of engaging the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the anchor loop comprises:
 situating a camming buckle on the anchor loop; and 
 threading the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap through the camming buckle. 
 
     
     
         6 : The method according to  claim 5  wherein the step of connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body comprises connecting two lower extremity straps to the harness body. 
     
     
         7 : The method according to  claim 5  further comprising securing a foot anchor to the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap. 
     
     
         8 : The method according to  claim 7  wherein the step of securing a foot anchor to the at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap comprises securing the fulcrum strap to the foot anchor at a connection location wherein, when a user's foot is engaged with the foot anchor, the connection location is between the user's first and second metatarsal bones. 
     
     
         9 : The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of securing a foot anchor further comprises:
 providing a toe box; and 
 providing a heel loop. 
 
     
     
         10 : The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body comprises connecting two lower extremity fulcrum straps to the harness body, and further comprising:
 providing a first toe box on a first foot anchor; and 
 providing a second heel loop on a second foot anchor; 
 wherein the step of engaging at least one lower extremity with the at least one extremity fulcrum strap comprises: 
 extending a first leg; 
 engaging, with the first toe box, toes of the extended first leg; and 
 engaging, with the second heel loop, a heel of the extended first leg. 
 
     
     
         11 : The method of  claim 10  further comprising adjusting an effective length of at least one of the two lower extremity fulcrum straps by controllably actuating or releasing the camming buckle. 
     
     
         12 : The method of  claim 11  further comprising stretching the first extended leg by cross-body motion. 
     
     
         13 : The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 adjusting an extent of cross-body motion of the extended leg; 
 adjusting a degree of plantar flexion in the foot; and 
 adjusting a stretching of an ambulatory chain of muscles and joints of the extended leg. 
 
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body comprises connecting two lower extremity fulcrum straps to the harness body, and further comprising:
 providing a first toe box on a first foot anchor; 
 providing a second toe box on a second foot anchor; 
 providing a first heel loop on the first foot anchor; and 
 providing a second heel loop on the second foot anchor; 
 wherein the step of engaging at least one lower extremity with the at least one extremity fulcrum strap comprises: 
 extending a first leg; 
 extending a second leg; 
 engaging, with the first toe box, toes of the extended first leg; 
 engaging, with the second toe box, toes of the extended second leg; 
 engaging, with the first heel loop, a heel of the extended first leg; and 
 engaging, with the second heel loop, a heel of the extended second leg. 
 
     
     
         15 : The method of  claim 14  further comprising adjusting an effective length of at least one of the two lower extremity fulcrum straps by controllably actuating or releasing the camming buckle. 
     
     
         16 : The method of  claim 15  further comprising extending the first and second legs in a split configuration. 
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 adjusting a degree of plantar flexion in the first foot; 
 adjusting a degree of plantar flexion in a second foot; 
 adjusting a stretching of an ambulatory chain of muscles and joints of the extended first leg; and 
 adjusting a stretching of an ambulatory chain of muscles and joints of the extended second leg. 
 
     
     
         18 : The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of connecting at least one lower extremity fulcrum strap to the harness body comprises connecting two lower extremity fulcrum straps to the harness body, and further comprising:
 providing a first heel loop connected to a first fulcrum strap; and 
 providing a second heel loop connected to a second fulcrum strap; 
 wherein the step of engaging at least one lower extremity with the at least one extremity fulcrum strap comprises: 
 engaging, with the first heel loop, a knee of a first leg; 
 engaging, with the second heel loop, a knee of a second leg. 
 
     
     
         19 : The method of  claim 18  further comprising adjusting an effective length of at least one of the two lower extremity fulcrum straps by controllably actuating or releasing the camming buckle. 
     
     
         20 : The method of  claim 19  further comprising correcting posture during sitting, wherein the step of controllably actuating or releasing the camming buckle comprises providing a tension for incremental extension of the user's spine via a support provided by the diaphragm bolster.