Inter-scapular bolster

Abstract

A back support for supporting at least a portion of the back of a user is provided. The back support includes a backrest and an inter-scapular bolster. The backrest has a lumbar support that is shaped to engage the lumbar region of the user and to urge the lumbar spine of the user towards a neutral curve. The inter-scapular bolster has a bolster body. The bolster body is connected to the backrest and is positioned for engaging the user between the scapulae, wherein the bolster body has a bottom that is positioned to engage the user no lower than approximately the lower edge of the T8 vertebra of the user.

1 . An inter-scapular bolster for positioning between the scapulae of a user, comprising:
 a bolster body, having a bottom and connectable to a backrest at a support position for engaging the user between the scapulae wherein in use, the bolster body urges the user's shoulder joints rearward and adducts the scapulae.   
     
     
         2 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the bolster body is in the support position, the lower edge of the bolster body is positioned to engage the user approximately at a height that is within the range of the upper ⅔ of the scapulae of the user. 
     
     
         3 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolster body is inflatable. 
     
     
         4 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the bolster includes a pump and a gas release valve fluidically connected to the bolster body. 
     
     
         5 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolster is curved in a vertical plane to urge to the spine of the user towards a neutral curve. 
     
     
         6 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bolster body is less than approximately 7″ long. 
     
     
         7 . A back support for supporting at least a portion of the back of a user, comprising:
 a backrest having a lumbar support, wherein the lumbar support is shaped to engage the lumbar region of the user and to urge the lumbar spine of the user towards a neutral curve; and   an inter-scapular bolster having a bolster body, wherein the bolster body is connected to the backrest and is positioned for engaging the user between the scapulae, the bolster body in conjunction with the backrest defining a fulcrum urging rotation of the user's clavicle, that has a medial end, in a horizontal plane about the user's acromioclavicular joint, such that the medial end of the clavicle is urged anteriorly,   
     
     
         8 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein, when the bolster body is in the support position, the lower edge of the bolster body is positioned to engage the user approximately at a height that is within the range of the upper ⅔ of the scapulae of the user. 
     
     
         9 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the bolster body is inflatable. 
     
     
         10 . A back support as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the bolster includes a pump and a gas release valve fluidically connected to the bolster body. 
     
     
         11 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the bolster is curved in a vertical plane to urge to the spine of the user towards a neutral curve. 
     
     
         12 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the bolster body is less than approximately 7″ long. 
     
     
         13 . A back support for supporting as claimed in  claim 7   wherein the bolster body is positioned generally for alignment with the centerline of the back of the user, wherein the bolster body is less than approximately  4 ″ wide   
     
     
         14 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An inter-scapular bolster as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, when the bolster body is in the support position, the bottom of the bolster body is positioned to engage the user no lower than approximately the lower edge of the T8 vertebra of the user. 
     
     
         20 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the bolster body has a bottom that is positioned to engage the user no lower than approximately the lower edge of the T8 vertebra of the user. 
     
     
         21 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the bolster body has a depth that is sufficiently large that the bolster body acts as a fulcrum against which a back of the user rests. 
     
     
         22 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the bolster body has a depth that is sufficiently small to permit both lateral edges of the upper portion of the back of the user to be in contact with the backrest at the same time. 
     
     
         23 . A back support as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the backrest has a lumbar support that is shaped to engage a lumbar region of the user. 
     
     
         24 . A back support as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the lumbar support is configured to urge the user's lumbar portion of the spine towards a neutral curve.