Treatment Body Mats

Abstract

Treatment mats having a mat material with openings extending into the mat material. The openings contain stones and may additionally include a matrix material. Methods of treatment include positioning an individual proximate the treatment mat.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A treatment mat, comprising:
 a mat having an upper surface, the mat comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion differing from the upper portion in at least one of material composition and material density;   a pattern of openings extending into the mat material; and   one or more stones within each of the openings.   
     
     
         2 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a lower density material than the upper portion. 
     
     
         3 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a different material composition than the lower portion. 
     
     
         4 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein each of the openings comprises at least one type of stone that differs from stones within every other of the openings. 
     
     
         5 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the pattern of openings consists of nine openings. 
     
     
         6 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the stones are provided as loose stones within the openings. 
     
     
         7 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the stones are contained in a matrix material within the openings. 
     
     
         8 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , wherein the stones are removable from the openings. 
     
     
         9 . The treatment mat of  claim 1 , having a symmetrical pattern of openings, the pattern having a central opening and two opposing series of lateral openings, a line of symmetry being disposed through the central opening. 
     
     
         10 . The treatment mat of  claim 9  wherein the lateral openings are arc-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . A treatment mat comprising:
 a base mat;   a plurality of openings extending through an upper surface of the base mat; and   one or more types of stones within a matrix material within each of the openings, at least some of the openings having the matrix material provide in multiple portions within the opening.   
     
     
         12 . The treatment mat of  claim 11 , wherein the matrix material is formed as inserts which are removable from the openings. 
     
     
         13 . The treatment mat of  claim 11 , wherein the base mat comprises extruded polyethylene plank material. 
     
     
         14 . The treatment mat of  claim 13 , wherein the extruded polyethylene plank material has a lower weight density in an upper portion of the base mat relative to a lower portion of the base mat. 
     
     
         15 . A method of exposing an individual to stones comprising:
 providing a mat having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and lower portion differing in at least one of material composition and material density;   providing a plurality of openings extending into the mat material;   providing one or more varieties of stone within each of the openings; and   positioning an individual proximate the mat.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more varieties of stones are at least partially encased in a matrix material within the openings. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the matrix material is provided in multiple parts within at least some of the openings. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the individual is a human. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the human is a child. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the individual is an animal.