Therapeutic Device for Treatment of Headache and Pain

Abstract

A therapeutic device and method for using the same. The therapeutic device has a supportive body and a pressure applicator extending from the body that is configured to apply pressure to suboccipital muscles of a patient. The pressure applicator may be altered to adjust a position and points through which to apply pressure to the suboccipital muscles. The body may be positioned at an angle relative to the patient's neck and the pressure applicator is applied to the suboccipital muscles. The pressure can be applied for a duration of time to relieve and/or prevent headaches and migraines in patients.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a body extending in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis, the body having a rounded surface configured to provide support to a user's neck;   a stabilizing device for stabilizing the body in the longitudinal direction;   a first tip and a second tip extending radially at a height from the body and configured to apply pressure via at least two points on suboccipital muscles of the user, at least one of the first tip and the second tip being capable of translational movement relative to the longitudinal axis to alter a spacing thereinbetween and thus alter positions of the at least two points at which to apply pressure to the suboccipital muscles; and   an adjustment device for moving the first tip and/or the second tip, the adjustment device being provided on a longitudinal end of the body for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the body,   wherein the body is configured for rotation about the longitudinal axis to adjust an angular position of the body relative to the stabilizing device and to thereby adjust an angular position of the first tip and the second tip relative to the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the adjustment device results in translational movement of the first tip and/or the second tip. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein ends of the first tip and the second tip are positioned at a height above the rounded surface of the body, wherein said height of the ends relative to the rounded surface is adjustable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body, and wherein movement of the adjustment device results in an adjustment of a height of the first tip and/or the second tip. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the height is between approximately 0.25 inches to approximately 3.0 inches above the rounded surface of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a height of the stabilizing device is adjustable to thereby alter a height of the rounded surface of the body relative to a surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tip and the second tip have a texturized surface thereon. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tip and the second tip are detachable and/or interchangeable. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tip and the second tip are selected from a set of tips that have different dimensions and shapes. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a pad portion or a cushion portion provided on the rounded surface of the body. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein adjustment of the spacing between first tip and the second tip is performed by moving the first tip along the longitudinal axis, relative to the second tip. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein both the first tip and the second tip are capable of translational movement relative to the longitudinal axis to alter the spacing thereinbetween, wherein adjustment of the spacing between first tip and the second tip is performed simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustment of the spacing between the first tip and the second tip is performed via moving the adjustment device rotationally about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one knob provided on the longitudinal end of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first tip and the second tip are each attached to a body portion that extends perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal direction of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a cylindrical body. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the body has a diameter or a height between approximately 1½ inches to approximately 4 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a storage compartment therein. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , further comprising a cover movable relative to the body for providing access to inside of the storage compartment.