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Head weighting system for spinal treatmentRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, For Head Or NeckHead weighting system for spinal treatment description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070042869, Head weighting system for spinal treatment. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention pertains to musculoskeletal examination, evaluation, and treatment methodology, and, more particularly, to a spinal diagnosis and head weighting system that loads the spine in a manner to evoke the body's righting reflexes as an adjusting procedure for spinal correction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] The global human spine is divided functionally into six units, the skull, the cervical region (C1 to C4), the thoracic region (C5 to T7), the lower thoracic region (T8 to L2), the lumbar region, (L1 to L5), and the sacral region (S1 to S5, which are fused together). The neck, or cervical spine, has seven vertebrae that assume a natural anterior convex curvature, known as lordosis. [0005] With correct lateral spine posture, there is forward lordotic curve in the cervical region, a backward kyphotic curve in the thoracic region, and a forward lordotic curve in the lumbar region. An abnormal posture with an exaggerated backward curvature of the spine in any region is called kyphosis and resembles a hunch-back posture. A third abnormal posture, scoliosis, is evidenced by an S-shaped curvature of the spine when viewed from the back. [0006] The spine may be divided further into single functional units that consist of a single vertebrae and the disc that separates them. The anterior portion of the vertebral functional unit is the weight bearing portion, and it is ideally constructed with two rounded vertebrae with flattened ends. These vertebrae are separated by an invertebral disc that acts as a spacer and shock absorber. [0007] A natural alignment or neutral spine is characterized as a mid-way point between maximum anterior pelvic tilt and a maximum posterior pelvic tilt. This should be a comfortable position with the shoulders held back and relaxed and the head situated straight ahead with the hard palate parallel to the floor. If a plumb line were dropped from the center point of the head to the floor, this line would go through specific points of spinal joints at each level. More specifically, with normal lordosis, the line would pass through the anterior third of the C4/C5 disc, and back of the center of the body of the L-3 vertebrae. For the best function and durability of the spine, it is important to maintain proper lordosis in an effort to allow weight bearing to be done by the parts of the spine that are designed to handle it. [0008] Normal alignment, curvature, and pelvic angle are important to minimize back and other joint problems. When injuries occur, the neck and other joints can assume an altered position and posture, sometimes referred to as subluxation. This condition results when there is an incomplete dislocation of a joint. Although a relationship between the joint members is altered, contact between joints surfaces remain. When neutral alignment is not maintained, there is an increase in the likelihood of injury, promotion of wear and tear of the joints, and a slowing down of the recoverability. Hence, proper posture and alignment and full range of motion are mandatory for normal spinal integrity. [0009] Loss of neutral alignment can result in a number of maladies, including loss of the ability of the skull to forward flex on the atlas, which produces a forward head posture. Forward head posture generally causes a loss of the cervical lordotic curve. Weakened or injured muscles and ligaments can result in a high shoulder which is commonly associated with a lateral acute angle deviation to the high shoulder side that forms the lower cervical and upper dorsal spine (C-D) angle on that side. An associated subluxation is forward protruding hip posture. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention is directed to a system for musculoskeletal examination, evaluation, and treatment that loads the spine in a manner to evoke and reprogram the body's righting reflexes and involved muscles, which in turn results in spinal and postural correction, rehabilitation, and maintenance. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system for weighting a patient's skeletal system is provided that includes a number of weights; a headpiece having first and second walls stitched together with stitching along a bottom side and a length of a first and second end to form a cavity, and pocket stitching between the bottom side and a top side to divide the cavity into a number of pockets that are sized and shaped to hold at least one weight; a first adjustable strap having one end attached by the stitching to the first end of the headpiece and a second end attached by the stitching in the second end of the headpiece; a second adjustable strap having a first end attached by the pocket stitching to the top side of the headpiece adjacent the first end of the headpiece and a second end attached by the pocket stitching to the top side of the headpiece adjacent to the second end; and a third adjustable strap having a first end attached by the pocket stitching that forms a pair of front pockets at the top side of the headpiece and configured to loop around the second adjustable strap and attach to itself. [0011] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system for weighting the skeletal system of a user is provided that includes a number of weights, preferably in the range of one to twenty pounds, and a headpiece having at least one pocket for holding at least one weight on the user's head and at least one strap attached to the pocket and configured to hold the pocket to the user's head when at least one pocket contains at least one weight. [0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a headpiece for weighting a patient's skeletal system with one or more weights is provided that includes a first and second wall stitched together to form a number of pockets, sized and shaped to hold at least one weight, and a number of straps attached to at least one of the walls. [0013] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a headpiece for supporting one or more weights on a user's head for weighting of the user's skeletal system is provided that includes a headband having at least one pocket formed therein for holding at least one weight and a plurality of straps attached to the pocket for supporting and positioning the headpiece on the user's head. [0014] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a headband is provided for weighting a patient's head with weights as part of a therapeutic system in which the patient is first examined to determine corrective weighting and then the headband is configured with the determined weighting. The provided headband includes a weight holder that is sized and shaped to be positioned on the patient's head and at least one pocket for holding weight. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) [0015] The following detailed description of representative embodiments of the system of the present invention will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood from the accompanying drawings, wherein; [0016] FIG. 1 is an x-ray of the head and neck showing forward head posture; [0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the head and neck illustrating forward head posture rotated upward into extension; [0018] FIG. 3 illustrates activation of optic, labyrinthine, and cervical joint receptor righting reflexes, including involved muscles; [0019] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the head and neck showing the center of the skull normalized over the front of the C4/C5 disc; [0020] FIGS. 5A and 5B are x-rays of a portion of the spine showing joint injury; [0021] FIG. 6 is an x-ray of the neck and spine showing stress lines and measurement of vertebrae position relative to the skull; Continue reading about Head weighting system for spinal treatment... 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