Muscle Toner, upper body and neck exercise device.

SPECIFICATION TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION In general terms this invention relates to fitness but specifically it relates to portable progressive resistance stretching exercise device for upper body and neck muscles.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Neck muscles hold the head in up-right position, maintaining its normal posture and range of motion of the neck in different directions. Throat muscles control the function of breathing and swallowing. Neck is vulnerable to stress, body posture, traumas, and accidents. Neck problems are mostly related to soft tissue injuries including muscles, ligaments, tendons, disc and cartilage. Traumas to these soft tissues structures are usually painful and may be temporarily disabling. However, severe fractures of spine particularly when it involves the spinal nerve can cause permanent paralysis that is life threatening at times.

Muscle degeneration and atrophy are major cause of arthritis which is prevalent among elderly. Degeneraton of subcutaneous muscles results in wrinkles.

Increased tension in upper back, neck, and shoulder muscles triggers tension headache. Snoring associated with aging is primarily due to loss of muscle tonicity, which results in the collapse of throat muscles that obstructs upper air pathway. From the foregoing it appears that neck pain, shoulder pain, snoring, wrinkles, saggy skin, and tension headaches all are related to altered tonicity in upper body, neck, throat, facial, and crania muscles.

Exercise redevelops muscles, increasing their strength and tonicity. Since muscles are interconnected, therefore, activating primary muscle groups also stimulates secondary muscles, which are located in deeper layers. It has been shown that resistance/stretching type exercise redevelops muscles, restores their function, eliminates muscle tension, and improves motion to joints. In aging process all muscular tissues degenerate and loose their tonicity. Exercise promotes tonicity of both striated and smooth muscles. Redeveloping peripheral striated muscles in the neck strengthens smooth muscles in the pharyngeal/ laryngeal areas which prevents snoring. Whiplash injuries of the neck are very common problem and its clinical symptoms are mostly related to muscular structures. Clinical and laboratory studies indicate that in the treatment of whiplash injuries initiating a rehabilitation program at early stage results in faster healing and recovery.

Different methods and equipments have been introduced for rehabilitation of neck injuries. Traditional gymnasium machines with traction effects are strenuous to injured muscles and can not be used at the early stage of healing process.

Isometric effect of traction equipments is harmful to injured muscles because of constant loading effect. Delaying rehabilitation program results in further complications due to chronicity and extensive scar tissue formation. Further more, traction equipments are less effective because they pull muscles only in predetermined directions, do not recruit entire neck muscle groups, and fail to restore range of motion to the neck in every direction. In addition, use of High- tech gymnasium equipments requires multiple and weekly physiotherapy sessions for almost six months that is time consuming and costly.

Exercise device with elastic element progressively generates a higher resistance in muscles to loading. Gradual recruitment of muscle fibers eliminates the risk of secondary injury. Unlike the traction equipments, progressive resistive/stretching apparatus induces isokinetic/isotonic effects on muscle fibers that are similar to muscle activities in daily life. These features permit the therapist to incorporate physical exercise in rehabilitation program immediately after acute symptoms are subsided. Studies indicate that, in the treatment of whiplash injuries, progressive resistance/stretching exercise techniques have following benefits: Exercise program can be initiated at the early phase of the healing process.

Pain subsides within a short period of time.

* Muscle function returns to normal in a shorter time.

« Restores the range of joint motion.

Reduces neural inhibition.

Promotes muscle synergy.

* Maintains the integrity of proprioceptors.

Enhances neuromuscular coordination.

* Improves joint stability.

* Elevates physical and mental activities.

Existing stretching Assistance devices for rehabilitation of neck rnuscles need to be hooked to a post, or a watt, or onto a door jamb at one end of the elastic tube.

They pull the neck in certain angles, patient can not efficiently adjust the power, and they do not rotate the head. Rotational movement is the most essential motion of the neck that recruits nearly all major and secondary muscle groups.

Pressurized elastic ball which is used for resistance, strengthening, and rotation of the neck is expensive but quite inefficient instrument.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Muscle Toner is a therapeutic progressive resistance/strengthening device designed to activate neck muscles alone or ih conjunction with upper body muscles. Simultaneous activation of neck and upper body muscles increases its efficacy and broadens its application. Muscle Toner is an effective tool to removes muscle tension, neck and shoulder pains, and snoring. It stimulates/ activates primary and secondary muscles groups of the neck as well as throat muscles. It is small portable device, operable in standing and sitting position, making it suitable for both home and office use. Muscle Toner offers the following therapeutic benefits : Redevelops upper body and neck muscles Restores range of motion to neck and shoulder joints.

Removes neck and shoulder pain.

Eliminates muscle tension, prevents tension headache.

Improves head and body posture. develops throat muscles and stops snoring.

Firms up facial subcutaneous muscles, improves wrinkles, and minimizes double chin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1. Muscle Toner: Fig. 1 A: Muscle with unilateral stretching device Fig. 1 B : Muscle Toner with bilateral stretching device Fig. 2. Components of headband: Fig. 2 A: Headband strap Fig. 2 B: Snap hook Fig. 2 C: Male & female adhering materials Fig. 3. Components of unilateral stretching device : Fig. 3A: Short elastic tube Fig. 3B: Handle Fig. 3C : Adjusting buckle Fig. 3D: Connecting ring Fig. 4. Components of bilateral stretching device: Fig. 4A: Long elastic tube Fig. 4B: Handles Fig. 4C : Adjusting buckles Figs: 5-8 Depicts series of exercise techniques with Unilateral Stretching Device Figs : 9-15 Depicts series of exercise techniques with Bilateral Stretching Device DETAILED DESCRIPTION Muscle Toner, FIG. 1, is portable progressive resistance exercise equipment that has a headband attachable to a unilateral stretching device, Fig. 1 A, or to a bilateral stretching device, Fig. 1 B.

Fig. 2 illustrates components of the headband. The headband strap, Fig. 2A, is non stretchable flexible material with attachable flat male/female adhering materials on its ends, Fig. 2C. This kind of hook and loop system provides ample overlapping for adhering material to fit tightly on smaller head size or to secure retention on larger heads. A snap hook, Fig. 2B, is sewn on the mid segment of the outer surface of headband.

Fig. 3 illustrates components of unilateral stretching device. A short elastic tube, Fig. 3 A, is tied to adjusting buckle, Fig. 3C, at one end. The other end of the elastic tube passes freely through the handle, Fig. 3 B, being slidably fastened through adjusting buckle, and attaches to connecting ring, Fig. 3 P. The length and resistance of the elastic tube can be shortened or elongated by sliding the buckle along the tube. A shorter length has more resistance and vice versa.

Fig. 4 illustrates components of bilateral stretching device. A long elastic tube, Fig. 4 A, fastened slidably through adjusting buckles, Fig. 4 C, at each end, passes freely through a handle, Fig. 4B, at each side, and is tied to adjacent adjusting buckle of the same side. The length and resistance of the elastic tube, Fig. 4A, can be adjusted by sliding buckles, Fig. 4C, along the length of the elastic tube. A shorter length has more resistance and vice versa. Adjustability of headband size and the length of elastic tubes automatically alters the resistance of the tube, making it suitable for everybody.

Figs. 5-8 demonstrate how Muscle Toner with unilateral stretching device Fig. 1A, can be used. It allows applying resistance/strengthening exercise techniques to redevelop neck muscles which are the best type of physical therapy at the initial stage of rehabilitation program. In flexion, Fig. 5 the snap hook, Fig. 2 B, is positioned in the middle of forehead. By extending the arm in front of the body it brings the chin over the chest. In lateral flexion, Fig*6, the snap hook is placed at the side of the head, slightly in front of the ear. By extending the arm to the side of the body, along the shoulder, it pulls the head to that side, (ear to the shoulder movement).

To rotate the head or turn it from neutral position, Fig. 7, to right side, Fig. 8, the connecting ring, Fig. 3 D, is snapped into the snap hook, Fig. 2 B, positioned in front of forehead, Fig. 7. By wrapping the short elastic tube, Fig. 3A, over the headband on the right side of the head and pulling the handle with left hand from the back of the head we can turn the head the right.

The motion of the neck can be divided into 4 parts; 1) rotation (looking side to side), ll) lateral flexion (ear to shoulder), Ill) flexion (chin to sternum), and hyperextension (looking up). Combination of headband with bilateral stretching device, Muscle Toner, Fig. 1B, performs all movements of the neck ; Figs. 9-15.

Fig. 9, demonstrates basic exercise technique with Muscle Toner attached to bilateral stretching device, FIG. 1 B. The headband, FIG. 2 A, is tightened around the head, while the snap hook of the headband, Fig. 2B, is placed in the middle of the back of the head. The head is kept in upright (neutral) position and the arms are extended to the sides at the shoulder level, being slightly pushed backward. This exercise simultaneously stretches arms, shoulders, upper chest muscles, contracting upper back muscle groups, and stimulates neck muscles.

By moving the arms downward in the back, FIG. 10, the head leans backward, (extension). This exercise contracts Trapezius and Rhomboid muscles in upper back area. Trapezius muscles, which run from the back of shoulders across the neck and back of the head. By moving the arms further downward, Fig. 11, it further extends the neck reinforces contraction of Trapezius muscles which retract and depress scapulae (shoulder blades). This exercise corrects altered curvature in the upper back that results from prolonged bending of upper back or wrong head and arm position. It also removes tension from Trapezius, neck, and shoulder muscles, which otherwise t would trigger tension headache.

Full extension of the neck, FIG. 11, recruits following muscle groups in the anterior, posterior, and lateral regions : In the anterior region infrahyoid muscle groups; (Thyrohyoid, Omohyoid, Sternohyoid), as well as supra-hyoid musdes ; (Digastric, Mylo-hyoid, and Genio-hyoid), are fully stretched.

In the posterior region it retracts Trapezius groups.

In the lateral region the Sternocleido-mastoid muscles are stretched.

Muscle Toner accentuates loading and increases the efficacy of exercise.

Stretching suprahyoid muscle groups and Platysma muscle which are located under the chin prevents wrinkles and improves double chin. Since supra-hyoid muscles ; (Digastric, Mylo-hyoid, and Genio-hyoid muscles), are linked with throat muscles they pull pharyngeal/laryngeal muscles during full extension, Fig. 11. This stimulates throat muscles, restores their tonicity, and stops snoring.

Contraction of infra-hyoid muscles brings the chin to the chest (flexion), Fig. 12.

Moving the head from neutral position, Fig, 9, to extension, Fig. 10, and to flexion, Fig. 11, restores anterior-posterior range of motion of the neck.

FIG. 13, demonstrates the use of Muscle Toner with bilateral stretching device, Fig. 16, in rotational movement of the neck. By stretching the arms at the shoulder level and moving the head to the sides induces resistance and strengthens rotator muscles of the neck. Rotational range of motion of the neck m (ill be limited by any sustained injury on any of rotator muscles. This exercise promotes healing and restores range of motion of the neck in rotation.

Bilateral stretching device can be also used for anterior flexion, Fig. 14, and lateral flexion, Fig. 15. Lateral flexion, Fig. 15, redevelops lateral flexors muscles, (Scalenes groups), and restores lateral range of motion of the neck. A tight scalene group will pull the head to the same side which occurs in stiff neck condition.

Although the invention has been described with certain degree of particularity with respect to the component and arrangements thereof, it should be understood that this disclosure has been made by way of example only.

Consequently, changes in the detail of the construction and in the arrangement of the elements will be apparent to those familiar with the art, and may be made without departing from the meaning, scope, or intent of the invention as claimed below :