[0001] This application claims priority to our U.S. patent application with the serial number 14/861908 filed September 22, 2015, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention is massage devices and methods. Background

[0003] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0004] Massages can be useful therapies for pain relief, to improve sleep quality, and are often incorporated into physical therapy regimens for the treatment of injuries. Because some people who would benefit from massages cannot afford a masseur/masseuse, efforts have been made to develop automated massaging devices to improve the accessibility of massages.

[0005] For example, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0028132 to Bastia et al. discloses a massage pad with pockets in which massage actuators can be retained. This allows the actuators to be positioned to achieve different massage effects and to accommodate a wider range of user physiologies.

[0006] These and all other publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0007] In another example, U.S. Patent No. 7429251 to Tanizawa et al. discloses a massaging device programmed to use different massaging patterns to different parts of a user's body for enhanced and pleasant massaging effects. [0008] Unfortunately, known massaging devices and methods fail to fully appreciate the wide range of health benefits (e.g., improving physical fitness, reducing blood pressure, reducing glucose levels, enhanced sleep quality, losing body weight, and potentially reduced or elimination of tumor growth) that could result from massages with predetermined patterns, pressures or frequencies.

[0009] Thus, there is still a need for improved massage devices and methods. Summary

[0010] The inventive subject matter provides devices and methods to reduce a person's blood pressure, blood glucose levels, pain, rate of tumor growth, and to enhance the person's sleep quality and physical fitness. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a massage system includes a massaging unit coupled to an processing module, and a power supply. The massaging unit houses first and second actuators. The first actuator applies pressure to a person's body in right, upward, left, and downward movements, and the second actuator simultaneously applies pressure in movements opposite to the direction of the first actuator. The first and second actuators could be configured to apply pressure to the person's body in a series of traces (e.g., 8 traces, 4 traces from each actuator) to form a perimeter of a rectangle. Additionally or alternatively, one or both actuators could be configured to apply pressure to the person's body in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to form a perimeter of an ellipsoid.

[0011] In some aspects where the first and second actuators are configured to apply pressure in a series of traces to form a perimeter of a rectangle, the first two traces could comprise the following: (a) the first actuator applies pressure to the person's body according to a first trace, wherein the first trace comprises tracing a first segment of the perimeter of the rectangle by moving from a first corner of the rectangle to the midpoint of a first edge that is adjacent to the first corner; (b) the second actuator applies pressure to the person's body according to a second trace, wherein the second trace comprises tracing a second segment of the perimeter of the rectangle by moving from a second corner of the rectangle to the midpoint of a second edge that is adjacent the second corner and parallel to the first edge, the first and second corners being diagonal to one another. Three more traces could be applied to the body to complete the perimeter of the rectangle, each actuator applying a pressure from a corner to a mid-point of an edge.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, where the first and second actuators are configured to apply pressure in a series of traces to form a perimeter of a rectangle, the first two traces could comprise the following: (a) the first actuator applies pressure to the person's body according to a first trace, wherein the first trace comprises tracing a first segment of the perimeter of the rectangle by moving from the midpoint of a first edge to a first corner of the rectangle that is adjacent to the first edge; (b) the second actuator applies pressure to the person's body according to a second trace, wherein the second trace comprises tracing a second segment of the perimeter of the rectangle by moving from the midpoint of a second edge to a second corner of the rectangle that is adjacent the second edge, the first and second corners being diagonal to one another. Three more traces could be applied to the body to complete the perimeter of the rectangle, each actuator applying a pressure from a mid-point of an edge to a corner.

[0013] As used herein, the term "midpoint" with respect to an edge should be interpreted broadly to include the exact midpoint of the edge length, and any points within the 25-75% region of the edge's length. For example, where an edge is 6cm, the midpoint could be at the exact midpoint (3cm) or could be anywhere within the 25-75% region of its length (1.5-4.5cm) (e.g., within 40- 60% (2.4-3.6cm).

[0014] The massaging unit housing the actuators preferably includes an outer surface or contact pad that is suitable for contacting the body of the user (user's skin or clothing). Each actuator could cause the moving pressures to be applied through one or more contact points, each contact point having any suitable area (e.g., between 0 and 100cm 2 , between .5 and 50cm 2 , or between .5 and 5cm , inclusive). In some preferred embodiments, the contact point could have an area of between 0.5 and 1.0 cm , inclusive. More preferably, the first and second actuators each apply a

2 pressure via one or more contact points having an area of approximately or exactly 0.75 cm .

[0015] An actuator of the inventive subject matter could apply any suitable pressure to a person's body. First and second actuators of a pair could apply the same or different pressures to the user's body depending on the needs of the user. In some preferred embodiments, the first and second actuators each apply a pressure of between 1 and 10 kg/m to the person's body. In some especially preferred embodiments, the pressure applied to the person's body is between 1.5 and 8 kg/m . The amount of pressure selected to be applied could similarly be selected based on the different needs of the user.

[0016] It should be appreciated that the pressure applied by an actuator of the inventive subject matter could be a constant moving pressure, or a vibrating pressure. In some vibrating models, the actuators could be configured to apply pressure to the person's body in a vibrating mode having any suitable frequency. In some preferred embodiments, one or more actuators could be configured to apply a vibrating pressure having a frequency between 100 and 500 cycles per minute to the person's body. In some preferred massage units, the vibrations have a frequency between 200 and 400 cycles per minute.

[0017] A rectangle pattern generated by a massage unit could be any suitable size, include any suitable number of traces, and take any suitable length of time to complete. The rectangle's perimeter edges can vary in size based on, for example, person's desired outcome or size. In some preferred aspects, each trace (corner to mid-point or mid-point to corner) will be between l-20cm, more preferably between 1-lOcm, and even more preferably between 1-6 cm, inclusive. Viewed from another perspective, the rectangle's edges are preferably between 2-40cm, more preferably between 2-20cm, and even more preferably between 2-12 cm, inclusive. In further regard to each trace, the inventor contemplates that each trace be repeated five times per minute. In other words, each actuator applies a pressure that moves at a rate between 0.5 and 1 cm/s and more preferably between 0.083 and 0.5 cm/s. It should also be appreciated that the pattern can comprise a first set, wherein the first and second actuators repeatedly apply pressure to the person's body according to the first and second traces for between 1 and 50 minutes, more preferably between 1 and 20 minutes, and even more preferably between 2.5 and 10 minutes, inclusive, depending on the needs of the user. The massage can further comprise a second set, a third set, and a fourth set that complete the perimeter of the rectangle. The first, second, third and fourth sets could be completed in between 1 and 200 minutes, more preferably between 4 and 80 minutes, inclusive, and even more preferably between 10 and 40 minutes, inclusive.

[0018] A preferred pattern further comprises tracing the circumference of a circle or other ellipsoid, and at least one of the first and second actuators could further be configured to apply pressure to the person's body in a pattern that traces the circumference of the circle or other ellipsoid having any suitable circumference. In some preferred embodiments, the circumference of the ellipsoid can be approximately or exactly 12, 18, 25, 31, or 37 cm. As used herein, the term "approximately" means within +10%. Contemplated massages could include tracing the circle in a counterclockwise direction on the left side of the person's back and tracing the circle in a clockwise direction on the right side of the person's back for 5-20 minutes. Additionally or alternatively, the circle could be traced in a clockwise direction on the left side of the person's back and tracing the circle in a counterclockwise direction on the right side of the person's back for 5-20 minutes. In some preferred massage patterns, pressure is applied to the person's body in a vibration mode having a frequency between 200 and 400 cycles per minute.

[0019] It is contemplated that any suitable number of massage units can be incorporated into a massaging system of the inventive subject matter. Preferred systems will include one or more sets of nine units arranged in a linear or 3x3 rectangular configuration. From time to time, each set of nine units is referred to as a "module." The nine units could be separated units comprising nine separated contact pads or outer surfaces. Additionally or alternatively, the nine units could compose a single contact pad or outer surface.

[0020] Various devices including one or more modules can be incorporated into various massaging device forms, including for example, a chair, a bed, a hat, a clothing item, a pillow, a sheet or a blanket.

[0021] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0022] Brief Description of the Drawing

[0023] Fig. 1A illustrates a system of the inventive subject matter.

[0024] Figs. 1B-1H illustrate some exemplary massage patterns of the inventive subject matter. [0025] Figs. 2A-2D illustrate some exemplary massage modules of the inventive subject matter. [0026] Fig. 3 illustrates the application of massaging modules on the left and right sides of a person's back.

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrate a portable device for emitting acoustic waves. [0028] Figs. 5A-C illustrate an exemplary composite sound waves.

[0029] Fig. 6 illustrate a flow chart of method of applying massage device and the portable device for emitting acoustic wave together to a person's body.

[0030] Detailed Description

[0031] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0032] The inventors have unexpectedly discovered that the inventive massaging systems and methods can be used to provide various health benefits including lowering blood pressure or glucose levels, losing body weight, or reduced tumor growth or growth rate. As shown in Figure 1A, massage unit 110 houses first and second actuators, 115 and 120, respectively. Power supply 105 supplies power to processing module 125 and massaging unit 110 to drive the actuators according to a pre-selected pattern. With respect to power supply 105, suitable power supplies convert energy from batteries, fuel cells, generators, solar power converters, or household electrical systems into energy that can be used by processing module 125 and actuators 115 and 120. For example, DC, AC-to-DC, AC, linear regulators, switched-mode, programmable, or uninterruptable power supplies may be employed in contemplated embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

[0033] Processing module 125 comprises a memory that stores massage pattern data associated with a plurality of massage patterns, and software instructions that cause the actuators to move according to one or more of the stored patterns. [0034] It should be noted that any language directed to a processing module 125 should be read to include any suitable combination of computing devices, including servers, interfaces, systems, databases, agents, peers, engines, controllers, modules, or other types of computing devices operating individually or collectively. One should appreciate the computing devices comprise a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium (e.g., hard drive, FPGA, PLA, solid state drive, RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). The software instructions preferably configure or program the device to provide the roles, responsibilities, or other functionality as discussed below with respect to the disclosed systems. Further, the disclosed technologies can be embodied as a computer program product that includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing the software instructions that causes a processor to execute the disclosed steps associated with implementations of computer- based algorithms, processes, methods, or other instructions. In some embodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces exchange data using standardized protocols or implementations of algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public -private key exchanges, web service APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronic information exchanging methods. Data exchanges among devices can be conducted over a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type of packet switched network; a circuit switched network; cell switched network; PSTN; or other type of network.

[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, when a system, engine, server, device, module, or other computing element is described as configured to perform or execute functions on data in a memory, the meaning of "configured to" or "programmed to" is defined as one or more processors or cores of the computing element being programmed by a set of software instructions stored in the memory of the computing element to execute the set of functions on target data or data objects stored in the memory.

[0036] In one embodiment, first actuator 115 is configured to apply a first moving pressure to the person's body in a first direction to create a first trace. The first trace comprises a first segment of a perimeter of a rectangle from a first corner of the rectangle to a midpoint of a first edge that is adjacent to the first corner. Second actuator 120 is configured to apply a second moving pressure to the person's body in a second direction to create a second trace

simultaneously with the creation of the first trace by the first actuator. The second trace comprises a second segment of the perimeter of the rectangle from a second corner of the rectangle to a midpoint of a second edge that is adjacent to the second corner, and the first and second edges are parallel.

[0037] Figure 1A shows a first pattern comprising four sets of traces. In the first set, first actuator 115 applies a moving pressure from the top left corner of a rectangle to a midpoint of the top edge of the rectangle along trace Al. At the same time, second actuator 120 applies a moving pressure from the bottom right corner to a midpoint of the bottom edge along trace A2. The term "trace" is used herein to describe the path of movement followed by the actuators. It should be appreciated that the actuator can apply pressure continuously along the trace or in a vibration mode. Suitable pressures can be between 1 and 10 kg/m and more preferably between 1.5 and 8 kg/m . When operating in the vibration mode, the first actuator applies pressure using a tapping motion independent of movement along a trace. The frequency of tapping can be, for example, between 100 and 500 cycles per minute. In some preferred vibration modes, the frequency employed is between 200 and 400 cycles per minute.

[0038] In the second set, first actuator 115 applies a moving pressure from the top left corner of the rectangle to the midpoint of the left edge of the rectangle along trace B 1. Simultaneous to first actuator 115's propagation along trace B l, second actuator 120 applies a moving pressure from the bottom right corner to the midpoint of the right edge along trace B2.

[0039] In the third set, first actuator 115 applies a moving pressure from the bottom left corner of the rectangle to the midpoint of the bottom edge of the rectangle along trace CI.

Simultaneously, second actuator 120 applies a moving pressure from the top right corner to the midpoint of the top edge along trace C2.

[0040] In the fourth set, first actuator 115 applies a moving pressure from the bottom left corner of the rectangle to the midpoint of the left edge of the rectangle along trace Dl. Synchronized with first actuator 115' s propagation along trace Dl, second actuator 120 applies a moving pressure from the top right corner to the midpoint of the right edge along trace D2. [0041] In some preferred embodiments the rectangle has edges between 1 and 15 cm in length, and in even more preferably between 2 and 12 cm. In some even more preferred embodiments, the rectangle is a square.

[0042] With respect to the duration of each set, the inventors contemplate after completing a trace, one or more actuators can "snaps back" to its starting position without applying a pressure to the user. Alternatively, a pressure could be applied in backwards and forward directions along a trace. From the starting position, the application of pressure along the trace can be repeated. Thus the actuators can cycle between applying moving pressure and snapping back for durations ranging from 1 and 20 minutes, and more preferably between 2.5 and 10 minutes per set.

[0043] Figure IB shows a second pattern in which first actuator 115 applies a moving pressure along trace Al from the top right corner to the midpoint of the top edge. Simultaneously, second actuator 120 applies a moving pressure along trace A2. The first and second actuators continue to apply moving pressures as described above along traces B l, B2, CI, C2, Dl, and D2.

[0044] Figure 1C shows a third pattern. First actuator 115 begins at the midpoint of the top edge of a rectangle and applies a moving pressure along Al to the top, left corner of the rectangle. Second actuator 120 begins at the midpoint of the bottom edge and applies a moving pressure along A2 to the bottom, right corner of the rectangle in movement synchronized with the movement of first actuator 115. Sequentially, the first and second actuators apply moving pressure along traces B l, B2, CI, C2, Dl, and D2 as illustrated in Figure 1C.

[0045] Figure ID shows a fourth pattern. In the fourth pattern, first actuator 115 applies moving pressure along traces Al, B l, CI, and Dl sequentially. Here, second actuator 120 moves in the direction opposite to the direction first actuator 115 moves with respect to either a vertical or horizontal axis that bisects the rectangle into substantially equal parts. As used herein with respect to parts of a rectangle, "substantially equal" means the areas of the resulting sub- rectangles are within 10% of each other. Thus, second actuator 120 applies moving pressure along traces A2, B2, C2, and D2.

[0046] In further aspects of the inventive subject matter first actuator 115 is configured to apply a moving pressure in an elliptical path. It should be appreciated that first actuator 115 can propagate along the elliptical path in the counterclockwise direction (Figure IE, Figure 1H) our clockwise direction (Figure IF, Figure 1G). Second actuator 120 can be configured to stand-by without applying any pressure. Alternatively, second actuator 120 can be configured to apply moving pressure in coordination with first actuator 115. For example, second actuator 120 can apply a moving pressure alongside first actuator 115 or in the opposite direction. In another example, second actuator 120 applies pressure along an ellipsoid path that is concentric with the elliptical path followed by the first actuator. In some preferred embodiments at least one of the minor and major axes has a length of 12, 18, 25, 31, or 37 cm. In some even more preferred embodiments, the elliptical path is circular.

[0047] Moreover, the inventors contemplate that pairs of first and second actuators can be arranged in multiple configurations. Figure 2A shows a massaging unit housing 9 pairs of actuators in a rectangular configuration, comprising three rows of three actuator pairs.

Alternatively, Figure 2B shows a massaging module comprising a rectangular configuration of nine massaging units, each housing a pair of actuators. A linear configuration of nine actuator pairs in one massaging unit is shown in Figure 2C. Figure 2D illustrates a linear configuration of nine massaging units in a massaging module. Therefore, it should be apparent that any suitable number of actuator pairs/massaging units can be combined in a massaging device suitable for a person's body dimensions or massage needs.

[0048] An exemplary configuration of massaging devices is shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, two massaging modules (each having three massage units consistent with the configuration shown in Figure 2A) are placed on the right and left sides of a person's back. In another example, six linear massage units could be placed on the person's back such that three massage units are applied to each of the right and left sides of the person's back. While Figure 3 depicts three massage units in each massaging module, it should be noted that the number of massage unit in each massaging module is not limited to three. For example, each massaging module can include two massage units, or four or more massage units.

[0049] In an exemplary method, a massaging device is applied to a person's body, and the massaging device is operated to at least one of reducing tumor growth or growth rate, reducing blood pressure, reducing blood glucose levels, reducing pain, enhancing sleep quality, losing body weight, and enhancing the physical fitness of the person. As some non-limiting examples, a person's blood pressure can be reduced from 160/100 (before massage) to 140/70 after one year of use for one hour a day. Blood glucose levels can be reduced by 11-7.8 mM/L using daily massages for 1 month (1 hour per day) in conjunction with continuing medication. After discontinuing medication, blood glucose levels can be decreased by another 6.4-7 mM/L after a second month of daily (1 hour) massages. Moreover, the inventor contemplates that tumor cell growth can be stopped, stabilizing tumor size, by two weeks of treatment. After 40 days of treatment, the tumor may gradually disappear. Typically after three months of treatment, the inventor contemplates a 90% reduction in tumor size. It should be appreciated that the results of treatment according to the inventive subject matter depend on each person's situation.

[0050] One contemplated method of massaging a person's back employs a sequence of massages in which the spin serves as a mirror plane, and the pattern of massages on the left side is the mirror image of the pattern of massages on the right side. The massage device to the left of the person's spine is operated using the first pattern (Figure 1A), and the device on the right side of the person's back is operated using the second pattern (Figure IB). Next, the left massaging device is operated according to the third pattern (Figure 1C) while the right massaging device is operated using the fourth pattern (Figure ID). Preferably, the massaging devices are operated in each pattern for between 2.5 and 10 minutes. After the first two patterns are complete, the left massaging device is operated in the pattern shown in Figure IE, and the right massaging device is operated in the pattern shown in Figure IF for 5-20 minutes. Lastly, the left and right massaging devices are operated for 5-20 minutes in the patterns shown in Figures 1G and 1H, respectively. In even more preferred methods, the massaging devices are operated in a vibration mode having a frequency between 200 and 400 cycles per minute. It should be appreciated that the duration of each pattern and the dimensions of the rectangles and ellipses can be customized to the person's massage needs and physical proportions.

[0051] While the disclosure herein is generally directed to massage patterns that are rectangular or ellipsoid, it should be appreciated that massaging units of the inventive subject matter could be programmed or configured to generate any suitable massage patterns. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the rectangles, ellipsoids, and other patterns generated could be complete patterns (e.g., a closed rectangle with all edges touching two corners), or partial patterns (e.g., an incomplete ellipsoid where the start point and end point of a trace does not touch).

[0052] In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a portable device configured to emit composite acoustic waves is presented. Figure 4 illustrates an example of such a portable device 400. The portable device 400 has a data store 405 for storing data related to the composite acoustic waves. The data store 405 of some embodiments can be implemented as a memory unit (e.g., a flash drive, a solid state drive, etc.) or a magnetic tape capable of recording acoustic waves. The portable device 400 also has a speaker 410 configured to render and present the composite acoustic waves stored in the data store 405 in a fashion that is audible by humans. The portable device 400 also includes a control unit 415 that provides an interface for controlling the portable device 400. The control unit 415 of some embodiments can be implemented as simply as several buttons (e.g., on/off buttons). In other embodiments, the control unit 415 can include more sophisticated interface such as a touch screen and a graphical user interface for not just turning the portable device 400 on and off, but also provides more delicate controls such as the speed of playing the composite acoustic waves, adjusting the frequencies, etc.

[0053] It is contemplated that the portable device 400 can be incorporated in various wearable goods (e.g., clothing, hats, belts, pillows, blankets, mattresses, wristlets, eyeglasses or other wearable accessories).

[0054] It has been contemplated that certain composite acoustic waves, when heard by a human, can provide to the human health benefits such as reducing tumor growth or growth rate, reducing blood pressure, reducing blood glucose levels, reducing pain, enhancing sleep quality, losing body weight, and enhancing the physical fitness. It has been contemplated, through testing and validation, that the composite acoustic waves that provide health benefits have certain characteristics. In some embodiments, the composite acoustic waves include at least one group of high- amplitude sound waves and at least one group of low-amplitude sound waves. One such example is illustrated in an example in Figure 5A. Figure 5B shows an expanded view of a portion of the high- amplitude sound waves 505. As shown in Figure 5 A, the composite acoustic wave 500 includes groups of high- amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d, which are intervened (or paused) by at least one of the groups of low-amplitude sound waves 516a, 516b, 516c, 516d. In some embodiments, the average difference of the amplitude (e.g., peak-to-peak amplitude, etc.) between the high- amplitude sound waves and the low-amplitude sound waves is at least 1 dBm, preferably at least 2 dBm, more preferably at least 5 dBm, most preferably at least 10 dBm. In other embodiments, the average amplitude of the high- amplitude sound waves is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, most preferably at least 50% than the average amplitude of the low-amplitude sound waves.

[0055] It is contemplated that each group of high- amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d and each group of low-amplitude of sound waves 516a, 516b, 516c, 516d may have variable time spans, For example, each group of high-amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d may last at least 0.3 second, preferably at least 0.5 second, more preferably at least 1 second, most preferably at least 2 seconds. It is preferred that each group of low-amplitude sound waves 516a, 516b, 516c, 516d has a shorter time span than that of at least one of the high- amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d . Thus, it is contemplated that each group of low- amplitude sound waves 516a, 516b, 516c, 516d may last less than 0.1 second, preferably less than 0.2 second, more preferably less than 0.5 second, most preferably less than 1 second.

[0056] In some embodiments, at least one high-peak sound wave in the group of high- amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d includes composite frequencies in an audible range between 20 Hz and 20,000Hz. While group of high- amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d can be present in any frequency range between 20 Hz and 20,000Hz, it is contemplated that most of the high-amplitude sound waves 515a, 515b, 515c, 515d are present between 40-600 Hz, Figure 5C shows one example of the composite frequencies of a sound wave 510 in one of the high- amplitude sound wave group 515c. In these embodiments, it is preferred that the composite frequencies includes at least two, preferably at least three frequencies with distinct peak amplitudes higher than average peak amplitudes of all frequencies of the sound waves (e.g., at least 1 dBm, more preferably at least 3 dBm, most preferably at least 5 dBm, or at least 10%, preferably at last 15%, more preferably at least 20%, most preferably at least 30%, etc.). In an especially preferred embodiment as illustrated in Figure 5C as an example, the composite frequencies includes three frequencies 525a, 525b, 525c with higher peak amplitudes. In this example, the first frequency 525a is present at 200-250Hz range (preferably within a range of 210 - 240Hz), the second frequency 525b is present at 330-380 Hz range (preferably within a range of 340-370 Hz), and the third frequency 525c is present at 470-520 Hz range (preferably within a range of 480 - 510Hz).

[0057] Thus, it is further contemplated that applying massage device and the portable device for emitting acoustic wave simultaneously (e.g., simultaneously for the entire or at least a partial session of the treatment) or sequentially (e.g., applying massage unit first and then applying the portable device for emitting acoustic wave, applying the portable device for emitting acoustic wave and then applying the massage unit) would be beneficial to improve human health such as reducing tumor growth or growth rate, reducing blood pressure, reducing blood glucose levels, reducing pain, enhancing sleep quality, reducing body weight, and enhance the physical strength. Thus, in another aspect of the inventive subject matter includes a method of improving human health by applying the massage unit and the device for emitting acoustic wave simultaneously or sequentially. In some embodiments, the massage unit and the device for emitting acoustic wave are one device. However, it is also contemplated that the massage unit and the device for emitting acoustic wave are two separate, distinct devices.

[0058] Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of such method. In this embodiment, the method begins with a step 605 of applying a massage unit with first and second actuators on the person's body. Then the method continues with a step 610 of simultaneously causing the first actuator to apply a first moving pressure to the person's body in a first direction from a first start position to a first end position to create a first trace, and the second actuator to apply a second moving pressure to the person's body in a second direction from a second start position to create a second trace. Then, in the next step 615, the first and second actuators are simultaneously caused to snap back from the first and second end positions, to the first and second start positions. The method continues with a step 620 of causing the acoustic device to provide composite acoustic waves to the person during the movements of the first and second actuators.

[0059] The inventors conducted clinical trials to apply acoustic waves to patients using the portable device for emitting acoustic wave described above. The descriptions and results of clinical trials are provided in Appendix-A enclosed herein. [0060] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0061] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0062] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as", etc.) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0063] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term "coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.