Neuromuscular release therapy device, system and methods

Abstract

Disclosed are neuromuscular release (including myofascial trigger point) therapy devices, systems, kits and methods. The therapy tool comprises a body, wherein the body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a tip defined at the upper-most portion of the body, a base, a stop surface defined in the body outer surface, a pocket defined by the inner surface and extending from the base upwards in the direction of the tip, and a recessed groove defined in the inner surface and extending upwards from the base and having a groove diameter and depth. The body can be generally bell-shaped with the base having a larger diameter than the tip. The system can further include a riser, either disk or wedge shaped, and a rocker base. The system components are configured to stack and nest into a compact assembly for easy carrying as a kit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of joining components of a neuromuscular release therapy system, the system comprising a two or more therapy tools, a riser and a base, the method comprising:
 nesting the first tool against the inner surface of the second tool;   inserting an upwardly extending flange of the riser into a recessed groove of the second tool; and   inserting an upwardly extending flange of the base into a recessed groove of the riser.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising disposing the nested and inserted tools, riser and base in a carrying container. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second tools define a base diameter and a tip diameter, wherein the base diameter is greater than the tip diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second tools is generally bell-shaped. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second tools define a tip diameter, and wherein the tip diameter of the first tool is larger than the tip diameter of the second tool. 
     
     
         6 . A method of providing neuromuscular release therapy, comprising:
 disposing a first tool atop a first riser, the first riser defining an upper plane and a lower plane wherein the upper plane intersects the lower plane;   disposing the first riser atop a second riser, the second riser defining an upper plane and a lower plane wherein the upper plane intersects the lower plane; and   rotating axially the first riser relative to the second riser to change the angle of inclination of a tip of the first tool.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising disposing the second riser atop a rocker base, the rocker base including a curved bottom surface. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising locating the first tool relative to a user in a semi-reclined position such that the first tool is under a piriformis muscle in the user's buttock. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising locating the first tool relative to a user in a supine position such that the first tool is positioned adjacent to a muscle in the user's upper back. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising selecting the tip diameter for the first tool to alter a therapy penetration depth. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising restraining lateral movement of the first tool with respect to the first riser by disposing a raised upper surface portion of the first riser into a recess defined in a bottom surface of the first tool. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising restraining lateral movement of the first riser with respect to the second riser by disposing a raised upper surface portion of the second riser into a recess defined in a bottom surface of the first riser. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising securing a strap to the first tool. 
     
     
         14 . A method of providing neuromuscular release therapy, comprising:
 disposing a first tool atop a first riser, the first tool defining a base diameter and a tip diameter, wherein the base diameter is greater than the tip diameter; and   restraining lateral movement of the first tool with respect to the first riser by disposing a raised upper surface portion of the first riser into a recess defined in a bottom surface of the first tool.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising disposing the first riser atop a rocker base, the rocker base including a curved bottom surface. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising restraining lateral movement of the first riser with respect to the rocker base by disposing a raised upper surface portion of the rocker base into a recess defined in a bottom surface of the first riser. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising locating the first tool relative to a user in a semi-reclined position such that the first tool is under a piriformis muscle in the user's buttock. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising locating the first tool relative to a user in a supine position such that the first tool is positioned adjacent to a muscle in the user's upper back. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising selecting the tip diameter for the first tool to alter a therapy penetration depth. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising securing a strap to the first tool.