WO1988009652A1

WO1988009652A1 - A lumbar traction pillow

Info

Publication number: WO1988009652A1
Application number: PCT/FI1988/000091
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kari Juhani Mustonen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-10
Filing date: 1988-06-10
Publication date: 1988-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-10
Also published as: FI75990B; AU1950888A; FI872586A0; FI75990C

Abstract

The object of this invention is a traction pillow (1) for the lumbar spine, which is intended to be used especially for the removal of tensions in the lumbar region and the straightening of intervertebral discs, which traction pillow (1) is essentially wedge-shaped and intended at the end of a bench (7) or corresponding support with its higher edge against the end in such a way that the patient lies on his stomach on top of it with his knees on the floor. It is the intention of this invention to achieve a simple device applicable especially to the stretching of the lumbar spine. The wedge angle of the front end (4) of the pillow (1) is most advantageously 15 DEG -19 DEG and the length of the base (3) of the pillow (1) is 20-60 cm, most advantageously 35-45 cm and the upper corner of the higher end of the pillow (1) is rounded, most advantageously with a radius of 4-6 cm and the higher end of the pillow (1) includes counter devices (6) for pushing, for example pins.

Description

A Lumbar Traction Pillow

The object of this invention is a lumbar traction pillow, which is intended to be used especially for the removal of tensions in the lumbar region and the correction of the position of intervertebral discs, -which traction pillow is essentially wedge-shaped and intended to be used at the end of a bench or .corresponding support with the higher edge against the end in such a way that the patient places himself on his stomach on top of it and kneels on the floor.

The therapeutic method in accordance with this invention and the pillow are especially connected with the treatment of a lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis or which has deteriorated.

Traction of the lumbar spine as well as of other regions of the spine is carried out using a traction table in accordance with the state of the art. These are shown in US patent publications 2,475,003, 2,690,175, 4,356,816, --.and PCT publication 0 83/00620. In these the patient is secured by harnesses to both halves, which are pulled in opposing directions. Treatment tables of this kind are complicated and expensive. Various kinds of pillows can be used for physiotherapy and traction. Patent application publication DE 3,304,750 shows a pillow of this kind. By means of normal pillows it is possible to arrange only minor tensions and traction in the area of the spine.

The intention of this invention is to achieve a simple device par¬ ticularly suitable for traction in the area of the lumbar spine. The characteristic features of the invention are apparent from the accom- panying Patent Claim 1. According to the invention traction is per¬ formed precisely at the end of the table or other support on which a traction pillow in accordance with the invention has been placed. The traction method in accordance with the invention is new. What is fundamental in it is that the patient himself achieves the necessary traction. For this the pillow includes two gripping elements, for example pins, handles, or holes. For the traction to take place in the correct position the shape of the pillow is important. In addition it is impor¬ tant that the pillow is sufficiently hard, so that it is possible to press against it. The central hole in accordance with Patent Claim 4 The pillow in accordance with Patent Claim 5 is advantageous from the point of view of manufacturing technique. In what follows the invention is described with the aid of the ac¬ companying illustrations, which one form of application of the inven¬ tion.

Figure 1 shows one model of traction pillow

Figure 2 shows the use of the traction pillow in the traction of the lumbar spine

Figure 3 shows the use of the traction pillow in another position Figure 4 shows the cross-section of the traction pillow Figure 5 shows another model of traction pillow

The traction pillow 1 is formed principally of a frame section made of cellular polyethylene, which is covered with a thin more flexible layer and easily disinfected cloth or plastic. The dimensions of the wedge-shaped pillow used as prototype arc as follows, base length 39 cm, width 47 cm, height of higher end 11 cm and lower end 4 height 1 cm. The radius of the upper edge 2 of the higher i.e. front end is

5 cm. The sides of the pillow are equipped with pins 6 which are formed by a rod placed through the pillow 1, and the ends of which are equip¬ ped with plastic handles.

The upper edge 2 of the front end of the pillow 1 has in the centre a hole 5 or depression, which permits the patient to press tightly against the pillow 1 without straining the delicate sexual organs.

The material of the pillow must be quite stiff. The frame section of the prototype is of cellular polyethylene and it is covered with a thin layer of foam plastic and on top of this again a plastic membrane to make disinfection easier.

The use of the pillow 1 takes place in accordance with Figure 2 with the aid of a suitably high bench 7 or other support that is open at one end. It is most advantageous that the bench 7 together with the pillow 1 is so high that the patient can reach the flow with his knees to gain light support. The legs must not be supported with the aid of the spinal muscles, because this cause unnecessary tension in the lum¬ bar region and prevents the musculature from relaxing during resting traction.

Resting traction for about 5-10 minutes before the real traction releases tension in the lumbar region by 30 -50 % depending on the stiffness of the patient's spine, the upper outer muscles stretch and the intervertebral discs "open". This can be easily demonstrated by testing the spinous processes.

After a thoroughly carried out relaxation rest it is possible to perform more effective traction. Both hands take securely hold of the pins 6 of the pillow 1 and when it is felt that the lumbar region is entirely free of tension and completely relaxed, the upper body is pushed lightly forward until the arms are completely straight. The arms are then momentarily "locked" into the traction position by means of the elbows when traction is felt in the lumbar region. After this the traction is relaxed by bending the arms and traction is stopped for a moment while one listens to the sound of one's own body and relaxes for a short time while the stretched area of the spine is strengthened by "thoughts". After this the measures can be renewed according to how one feels. If the measures cause piercing or otherwise unreasonable pain there is reason to contact an expert. Traction may also take place in accordance with Figure 3, in which case the lumbar traction angles are different. The patient finds the best traction method for himself by experimenting. This depends on each patient's individual degeneration of or fault in the lumbar region. A sore are tired back becomes easily irritated after the first few traction sessions, but these problems normally end quite qickly.

The pillow is most advantageously manufactured from hard polyurethane, on top of which a soft ployurethane layer is sprayed. In a pillow in accordancew ith Figure 4 there is a layer of soft polyurethane about 15mm thick on the surface of the hard interior material 9. A strip framework 10 is sunk into the interior material for the securing of the surface covering.

The devices that take pushing can also be realized in accordance with Figure 5« In this the pillow 1 includes holes 7 in the sides, into which the patient can push e.g. his thumbs.

Claims

Patent Claims

1. A traction pillow (I) for the lumbar spine, which is intended to be used in particular for the removal of tensions in the lumbar region and for the straightening of intervertebral discs, which trac¬ tion pillow (I) is essentially wedge-shaped and intended to be used at the end of a bench (7) or corresponding support in such a way that the patient lies down on his stomach on top of it and with his knees on the ground, characterized in that the wedge angle of the front end (4) of the pillow (l) is 10° -30°, most advantageously 15° -19°, and that the length of the base (3) of the pillow (1) is 20 -60 cm, most advantageously 35- 45cm, and that the upper corner of the higher end of the pillow (l) is rounded with a radius of 1,5-10 cm, most advantageously 4-6cm, and that the higher end of the pillow (1) includes pushing counter devices (6,7) at the side, and that the material of the pillow (1) is principally cellular polyethylene with a specific gravity of 45-65kg/m³, hard polyurethane or other materials possessing a corresponding hardness.

2. A traction pillow (l) in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the counter device for pushing is formed by pins (6) placed on each side of the pillow (1).

3- A traction pillowr (l) in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the counter device for pushing is formed by holes (7) formed in the side of the pillow (l), from which the patient can push his upper body using for example his thumbs.

4- A traction pillow (I) in accordance with Patent Claims 1,2, or 3, characteri z ed in that the front upper edge of the pillow (l) inlcudes an opening (5) arranged especially for the sexual organs so that pulling is directed only "to the upper thighs and beneath the stomach.

5. A traction pillow (1) in accordance with one of the above Patent Claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the supporting material of the pillow is hard polyurethane and it surface is soft polyurethane.