Posture improvement devices and methods for use

Abstract

A posture improvement device provides neuromuscular stimulation or proprioceptive therapy using a combination of pressure, torque and angle simultaneously applied to a user in order to train body muscles for proper posture through muscle memory. The device comprises a garment designed to be worn by the user, which is preferably configured like a short-sleeved undershirt or T-shirt. The garment may be fabricated of a stretchable, yet taut material in order to provide the desirable form-fitting feature such that pressure may be readily applied to the surface of the skin for neuromuscular stimulation. This elastomeric material is also preferably breathable and/or which has moisture wicking capabilities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for proprioceptively treating a wearer, comprising:
 an anterior portion;   a posterior portion joined to the anterior portion, wherein each of said anterior portion and said posterior portion are fabricated of a thin, elastomeric material which is form-fitting, in order to apply pressure to the surface of the wearer's skin to enhance neuromuscular stimulation thereto;   a proprioceptive panel integrated with said posterior garment portion and positioned to extend over the upper back or inter scapular region of the wearer, said proprioceptive panel being fabricated of an elastomeric material and having characteristics which cause the garment to stimulate optimal scapular position.   
     
     
         2 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proprioceptive panel is comprised of the same elastomeric material as said posterior portion. 
     
     
         3 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proprioceptive panel is comprised of a heavier, more dense elastomeric material than that comprising a remainder of said posterior portion. 
     
     
         4 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising an elastic band disposed on said proprioceptive panel, which is fabricated of a stronger elastomeric material than that comprising the proprioceptive panel. 
     
     
         5 . The garment as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said elastic band is positioned to substantially coincide with the inferior medial border of the wearer's scapula. 
     
     
         6 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proprioceptive panel is positioned to extend along substantially an entire length of the spine of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising a shoulder strap portion positioned to extend from said proprioceptive panel upwardly and over the wearer's shoulder toward the garment anterior portion, said shoulder strap portion being integrated with the garment posterior portion and being comprised of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The garment as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said shoulder strap portion comprises a plurality of shoulder strap portions. 
     
     
         9 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the proprioceptive panel is generally triangular in shape, positioned to extend downwardly from the shoulders of the wearer toward an apex positioned to be disposed at approximately the small of the wearer's back. 
     
     
         10 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising an arm strap portion extending from said proprioceptive panel and positioned to proceed about an arm of the wearer toward the anterior portion of the garment, said arm strap portion being integrated with the garment posterior portion and being comprised of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         11 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , and further comprising nerve receptor stimulators disposed on an inner surface of said garment, for contacting the wearer's skin and creating additional proprioceptive stimulation when the garment is worn. 
     
     
         12 . The garment as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said nerve receptor stimulators comprise a plurality of neuro nubs, extending inwardly from the inner surface of said garment. 
     
     
         13 . The garment as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said neuro nubs comprise soft, tacky bumps. 
     
     
         14 . The garment as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said nerve receptor stimulators comprise proprioceptive viscoelastic pads. 
     
     
         15 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the material comprising each of said anterior and posterior portions also comprises a moisture wicking material. 
     
     
         16 . The garment as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said proprioceptive panel is stitched to said posterior portion. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making a garment for proprioceptively treating a wearer; comprising:
 a) joining a posterior portion to an anterior portion of said garment together, wherein each of said posterior portion and said anterior portion are comprised of a thin, elastomeric material, the joined posterior and anterior portions forming a garment resembling a shirt ; and   b) joining a proprioceptive panel, comprised of an elastomeric material, to said posterior portion, in a location wherein when the garment is worn by a user, the proprioceptive panel is disposed over at least a portion of the user's spine and inter scapular region.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said joining steps are performed by stitching the posterior portion and the anterior portion together, and stitching the proprioceptive panel to the posterior portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the proprioceptive panel comprises a second layer of material over the base material forming the posterior portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the proprioceptive panel is integrated with the posterior portion in such a manner that only a single layer of material results.