US3831592A - Trigger point instrument - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
  • A61H39/00—Devices for locating or stimulating specific reflex points of the body for physical therapy, e.g. acupuncture
  • A61H39/04—Devices for pressing such points, e.g. Shiatsu or Acupressure

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a trigger point instrument for chiropractic use and, more particularly, to an instrument of this type that is both adjustable and more versatile than presently existing trigger point instruments.
• Trigger point instruments as presently known in the chiropractic art, traditionally comprise a T-shaped device, with the cross bar of the T functioning as a handle, and the leg portion of the T having a rubber tip secured to the end thereof.
• Devices of this type are used by chiropractic physicians to locate and then treat or release trigger points" in the human body.
• trigger point as used herein and as known in the art refers to highly sensitive muscular areas where muscular spasms or the like are taking place.
• the chiropractor physician will probe and press the rubber tip against numerous muscular areas, attempting to locate the trigger point; and, once so located, further pressure application of the device against the trigger point will treat the sensitive area and release undesirable tension caused by said sensitivity or spasm.
• Prior art trigger point instruments have been found to have certain shortcomings in use. For example, depending upon the particular muscular area being probed, a larger or smaller rubber tip must be used, thus making it necessary for the chiropractic physician to have a number of these devices of different sizes on hand. Also, when probing the transverse processes of the spinal column, it is necessary when using the existing instrument to first probe one side of the spinal column and then the other; whereas it would be advantageous to be able to probe both sides of the spinal volumn without having to raise and replace the instrument.
• the present invention overcomes these shortcomings by providing a trigger point instrument wherein a pair of spaced legs, each having rubber tips at the end thereof, extend from the elongated handle portion of the device, whereupon said spaced tips may be used to get it between the transverse processes of the spinal column, whereby pressure may be applied to spaced points therealong without having to raise and then reapply the instrument.
• Means are provided for permitting ready adjustment of the spacing between the aforesaid legs, whereupon the spacing between the pressure tips can be adjusted to conform to the thickness or width of the spine being probed and treated.
• rubber tips are secured to the opposite ends of the elongated handle portion of my device, said rubber tips being substantially larger than the tips on the aforesaid spaced legs.
• the tips on the handle may be used for probing and applying pressure to the larger muscular structures, such as the gluteus muscles, hence adding to the versatility of my device.
• the tips secured to the opposite ends of the elongated handle are somewhat different in size and/or configuration with respect to each other so as to be more effectively usable for specific muscular areas.
• one or more of the aforesaid rubber tips are spring loaded and are provided with calibration means whereby the pressure being applied by said tip can readily be determined.
• FIG. I is a side elevational view of a trigger point instrument embodying my invention.
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof.
• a trigger point instrument embodying my invention is shown generally at 10 and comprises an elongated handle 12 and a pair of outwardly extending legs 14 and 16, each of which extend from handle 12 in substantially the same direction so as to be inalignment with each other, as clearly shown in the drawings.
• the handle 12 is preferably of cylindrical configuration and is constructed of any suitable structural material, such as metal or a rigid plastic.
• the legs I4 and 16 are preferably of cylindrical configuration and are constructed of any suitable structural material.
• the handle 12 is approximately 4 inches long and approximately 4 inch in diameter.
• the legs 14 and '16 are preferably approximately 2 inches long and 5/16 to Vs inch in diameter.
• the tips 18, which preferably are of a rubber construction, are approximately inch thick.
• leg 14 is fixedly secured to handle 12, as at 20.
• leg 16 is adjustably mounted, whereby the spacing between legs 14 and 16 may be readily adjusted.
• handle I2 is provided with a longitudinally extending threaded shaft 22, secured in position by means of a set screw 24 which, when inwardly threaded, engages behind head member 26 carried by the adjacent end of shaft 22.
• shaft 22 is firmly held in position within handle 12, but is free to rotate therein, and, specifically, the opposite end of shaft 22 is provided with a knurled portion 28 located outwardly of handle 12, which knurled portion, when turned, will cause shaft 22 to rotate.
• knurled portion 28 located outwardly of handle 12, which knurled portion, when turned, will cause shaft 22 to rotate.
• handle 12 is provided with an elongated slot 30 which is in communication with the threaded portion of shaft 22.
• Leg 16 is provided with a squared bottom portion 32 which extends downwardly into slot 30 and which threadedly receives shaft 22. It will thus be seen that rotation of knurled portion 28 and hence of shaft 22 will cause leg 16 to move longitudinally along handle 12 either toward or away from fixed leg 14, depending on the direction of rotation of shaft 22.
• the spacing between legs l4 and 16 can readily be adjusted so that when the instrument 10 is being used to probe the transverse processes of the spinal column, the spacing can be adjusted to conform to the thickness or width of the spine being probed or treated.
• a resilient tip 34 Secured to knurled portion 28 is a resilient tip 34 which it will be noted is substantially larger than the aforesaid tips 18.
• an additional resilient tip 38 At the opposite end of handle 12, there is secured, as at 36, an additional resilient tip 38, preferably of rubber, it being noted that the tip 38 is of a somewhat different configuration than the tip 34, and is slightly smaller.
• the tips 34 and 38 may be used when it is desired to probe the larger muscle structures, such as the gluteus muscles.
• the same instrument may be used to probe the spinal column area, as well as other muscular structures in the body.
• the prongs l4 and 16 which are used for probing the spinal column area may be readily adjusted with respect to each other to conform to the thickness or width of the particular spine being treated.
• the tip 38 is spring loaded by means of spring 40 whereby pressure on tip 38 will cause same to depress against the action of said spring.
• Any suitable calibration means such as pointer 42, extending through slot 44, may be associated with spring 40; whereby when tip 38 is depressed, the amount of pressure being applied may be quickly determined.
• other tips such as the tips 18, could be similarly spring loaded.
• a trigger point instrument comprising an elongated handle, a pair of spaced legs extending outwardly from said handle in substantially the same direction, re-
• said adjustable means comprising a threaded shaft rotatably mounted within said handle and extending longitudinally thereof, one end of said shaft extending outwardly from the adjacent end of said handle whereby rotation may be imparted to said one end to rotate said shaft, an elongated slot in said handle communicating with said threaded shaft, one of said legs extending through said slot and making threaded engagement with said shaft whereby when the latter is rotated, said one leg will be caused to move along said slot, said other leg being fixedly attached to said handle.
• At least one of said tips being movably mounted, and resilient means normally urging said one tip outwardly, whereby pressure on said movable tip causes it to move inwardly against the action of said resilient means.
• said movable tip having calibration means associated therewith whereby the amount of pressure applied by said tip can be readily

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (4)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=23259198

Family Applications (1)

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Cited By (27)

Citations (6)

• 1973
  • 1973-01-15 US US00323438A patent/US3831592A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (6)

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