Devices and methods for restoring spinal movement and function

Abstract

A spinal unloading system generally includes a harness configured to wrap around a human patient's lumbar or cervical region and including multiple attachment points for connecting elastomeric bands. Elastomeric bands exert pulling forces in a variety of directions, depending on specific placement, and serve to unload the spine and/or provide resistance while performing the method.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A spinal unloading system including:
 A. a harness configured to be worn around the waist of a human subject, said harness including an anterior attachment site and a posterior attachment site;   B. an elastomeric member engaged with said anterior attachment site and said posterior attachment site; and   C. an anchor connected to said elastomeric member, wherein said elastomeric member exerts longitudinal pulling forces on said human when said elastomeric member is stretched.   
     
     
         2 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 1  wherein said elastomeric member is an elastomeric loop. 
     
     
         3 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 1  wherein said anchor is a wall mount. 
     
     
         4 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 3  further comprising a winch positioned between said elastomeric member and said wall mount. 
     
     
         5 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 4  further comprising a scale positioned between said winch and said wall mount. 
     
     
         6 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 1  further including a core board positioned below said harness. 
     
     
         7 . The spinal unloading system of  claim 6  wherein said core board further includes two handles, said handles configured to pivot upwardly to a position substantially perpendicular to said core board. 
     
     
         8 . A harness configured for use in a spinal unloading system for humans including:
 A. An elongated body including an upper portion, bottom portion, and two terminal ends;   B. Two securing straps, each extending from different terminal ends;   C. A V-strap extending from said bottom portion; and   D. A buckling strap attached to said elongated body, wherein said buckling strap releasably attaches said harness to the midsection of a human.   
     
     
         9 . The harness of  claim 8  wherein the terminal end of each securing strap is a loop. 
     
     
         10 . The harness of  claim 8  wherein the apex of said V-strap includes a D-ring. 
     
     
         11 . The harness of  claim 8  wherein said elongated body includes a plurality of D-rings positioned in a line. 
     
     
         12 . The harness of  claim 8  wherein each of said securing straps is contiguous with a portion of said buckling strap. 
     
     
         13 . The harness of  claim 11  wherein said D-rings are positioned on said securing straps. 
     
     
         14 . A spinal unloading method including the non-sequential acts of:
 A. Securing a harness around the waist of a patient;   B. Positioning said patient on a substantially horizontally oriented core board;   C. Attaching a first elastomeric member to said harness;   D. Attaching said first elastomeric member to an anchor; and   E. Elongating said elastomeric member.   
     
     
         15 . The spinal unloading method of  claim 14  further including the act of attaching a second elastomeric member between said harness and said core board. 
     
     
         16 . The spinal unloading method of  claim 15  further including the act of causing the hips of said patient to raise and lower repeatedly. 
     
     
         17 . The spinal unloading method of  claim 14  wherein said act of attaching said first elastomeric member to an anchor includes the act of connecting said elastomeric member to a door jamb. 
     
     
         18 . A spinal stretching method including the non-sequential acts of:
 A. Securing a harness around the waist of a patient;   B. Positioning said patient on a substantially horizontally oriented core board;   C. Attaching a first elastomeric member to said harness;   D. Attaching said first elastomeric member to an anchor; and   E. Elongating said elastomeric member.   
     
     
         19 . A core strengthening method including the non-sequential acts of:
 A. Securing a harness around the waist of a patient;   B. Positioning said patient on a substantially horizontally oriented core board;   C. Attaching a first elastomeric member to said harness;   D. Attaching said first elastomeric member to an anchor;   E. Elongating said elastomeric member;   F. Attaching a second elastomeric member between said harness and said core board; and   G. Causing the hips of said patient to raise and lower repeatedly.