US20100285938A1 - Therapeutic body strap - Google Patents

Abstract

A therapeutic body strap having a first loop and a second loop. Each loop is made of a strip of material. The loops are joined at a fixture point. The strap further includes an attachment portion extending from the central strip for attachment to an attachment point on a stationary object. The first and second loops are configured to snugly surround a user's body parts to allow the user to stretch by creating a tension in the attachment portion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/463,368, filed on May 8, 2008, titled THERAPEUTIC BODY STRAP; which application is incorporated in its entirety by reference in this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The present invention relates to a strap that enables therapeutic exercise, and more particularly, to a therapeutic body strap configured to enable stretching of selected body parts.
• 2. Description of Related Art
• Upper and lower back pain afflicts a countless number of individuals at some point in their lives. The pain can be debilitating and relief difficult to come by. When well, many back pain sufferers devote time and money to exercise seeking to reduce the instances of back pain. Yoga, pilates, and systems for exercise that both stretch and strengthen the body core (abdominal and lower back section) all help to reduce the chance of having back pain.
• Exercise does provide long-term benefits and helps reduce occurrences of back pain. However, for some causes of back pain, exercise may not provide adequate relief. For example, sciatica is a form of back pain affecting the muscles, bones and ligaments surrounding the sciatic nerve at the base of the spine. Typically, the pain is caused by muscle tightness or muscular imbalances in areas that remain unaffected by most exercises.
• Apparatuses such as straps or bands or other types of exercise assisting devices may improve the effectiveness of many exercises. For example, straps are often used in yoga to deepen a stretch. Such straps are typically most effective for assistance in stretching the hamstrings, or quadriceps, or the erector spinae, and/or other muscles that flex and contract in a substantially linear fashion. Many instances of back pain are the result of problems with muscles or other body parts that do not move linearly. Rather, such muscles and/or other body parts may be part of angular motion. Sciatica, for example, may be associated with a tightness in muscles and ligaments surrounding the area in which the base of the attaches to the pelvis. These muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons flex and extend roughly angularly on a plane that is substantially normal to the spinal column. These muscles, ligaments and/or tendons may not be easily stretched or strengthened by exercise.
• There is a need for exercise apparatus that permits exercise of muscles and other body parts that are difficult to stretch and/or exercise effectively.
SUMMARY
• In view of the above, a strap is provided with a first loop and a second loop. Each loop is made of a strip of material. A central strip having a fixture point such that the first and second loops are connected to the central strip at the fixture point. The strap further includes an attachment portion extending from the central strip for attachment to an attachment point on a stationary object. The first and second loops are configured to snugly surround a user's body parts to allow the user to stretch by creating a tension in the attachment portion.
• Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
• Other systems, methods and features of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The description of examples of the invention below can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
• FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of a therapeutic strap.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of a harness portion of the therapeutic strap inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the harness portion ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of the therapeutic strap.
• FIG. 5A-5D depict different uses of the therapeutic strap.
• FIG. 6 is a top view of another example of a therapeutic strap.
• FIG. 7A is a top view of a harness portion of the therapeutic strap inFIG. 6.
• FIG. 7B is a top view of a swivel loop and hook in the harness portion inFIG. 7A.
• FIG. 8A is a top view of a single loop converter.
• FIG. 8B is a top view of a single-loop harness portion using the single loop converter inFIG. 8A and the harness portion inFIG. 7A.
• FIG. 9 shows an example use of the therapeutic strap configured with a single-loop harness portion.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an example use of the therapeutic strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• In the following description of example implementations, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example implementations of the invention. Other examples may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
• FIG. 1 is a top view of an example of atherapeutic strap100. Thetherapeutic strap100 includes aharness portion102 and anattachment portion104. Theharness portion102 includes afirst loop106aand a second loop106b. In an example use of thebody strap100, thefirst loop106amay be used to wrap around the user's leg, such as for example, the left leg. The second loop106bmay be used to wrap around the user's other leg, such as for example, the right leg. Theloops106a,bmay also be used to wrap around other body parts, such as the arms. The twoloops606a,bmay also be disconnected and cross-connected to form a larger loop that may be placed around the pelvis or torso. The user may then stand with his or her side towards the point of attachment to perform a side stretch, or facing the point of attachment to perform back bends as described below with reference toFIG. 5C.
• The first andsecond loops106a,bmay each include alength adjuster108a,bto allow the user to adjust the size of theloop106a,b. In use, thelength adjuster106a,badjusts the tightness of theloops106a,baround the user's body parts; for example, the user's legs. Thelength adjusters108a,bmay be used by pulling on anexcess strap length110a,110bon eachloop106a,b. Eachloop106a,bmay also include a first and second connectingdevice112a,b. The first connectingdevice112apermits forming thefirst loop106aby connecting one extension of theloop106awith another extension of theloop106awith the first connectingdevice112a. Similarly, the user may form the second loop106bby connecting a portion of the second loop106bwith another portion of the second loop106bwith the second connectingdevice112b.
• The first andsecond loops106a,bmay be attached to acentral strip116 at aloop attachment area114. The first andsecond loops106a,bmay extend from opposite sides of theloop attachment area114. Thecentral strip116 may extend from both sides of theloop attachment area114. One side of theloop attachment area114 may extend and attach to a third connectingdevice124. The third connectingdevice124 may be used to attach theattachment portion104 to theharness portion102. In addition, thebody strap100 inFIG. 1 shows asecond extension130 from theloop attachment area114 having a connector to which a user may add a weight or some sort of handle and/or tether to assist in a selected exercise. Theattachment portion104 may include a length ortension adjuster122 and affixingdevice120.
• Theloops106a,b, thecentral strip130, and theattachment portion104 may be made of nylon, cotton, canvas, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material. The material may be a type of material that is molded, or formed by some other means. The material may be made with minimal elasticity to allow the strip material to stretch, at least slightly, during use. The material should not be too elastic to provide sufficient tautness in theattachment portion104 to provide the intended benefit. The first connectingdevice112a, second connectingdevice112b, and third connectingdevice124 may be implemented with buckles, snaps, clips, or any other device for connecting an end of one strip to another end of a strip. Thelength adjusters108a,b,122 may be implemented as a looping component on the connectingdevices112a,bthrough which the strip may be looped and which maintains the tension of theloops106a,b.
• In one example use of thebody strap100, a user may clip the first connectingdevice112ato wrap thefirst loop106aaround the user's left leg. The user may clip the second connectingdevice112bto wrap the second loop106baround the user's right leg. The user may then pull on theexcess strap lengths110a,bon eachloop106a,bto tighten theloops106a,baround each leg. The user may then attach theattachment portion104 to theharness portion102 by joining their respective ends at the third connectingdevice124. Theattachment portion104 is affixed to a stationary and secure object, such as for example, a door knob, a fence post, a tree, a railing, a banister, a handrail, or some other convenient object that is relatively immobile and able to support the pulling force of the user's bodyweight. Theattachment portion104 may be secured by hooking or tying the end of theattachment portion104 using theaffixing device120 to the point of attachment on the secure object (e.g. eyebolt, door, sign-post or tree).
• In another example, theattachment portion104 may include a strap material having two ends that may be wrapped horizontally around the entire door. Theattachment portion104 may be wrapped around the door so that the loops extend in the direction of the door closing. In use, the attachment portion pulls against the closed door, which is supported by the door frame.
• Theattachment portion104 is shown inFIG. 1 as being a separate length of strip that connects to thecentral strip116 for attachment to a stationary and secure object. However, theattachment portion104 may also be an extension of thecentral strip116 adapted to attach to the stationary and secure object.
• Once thebody strap100 is secured, the user may walk away from the point of attachment until theattachment portion104 becomes taut when it is properly distanced from the attachment and provides a pulling force on the point of attachment. When the pulling force begins, the therapeutic effects of the body strap may begin to work.
• The user may adjust this force in order to vary the therapeutic effect. For example, the user may grip a chair seat or the back of a chair and resist and/or rest the body weight on the chair. The user may also target or use other muscles to create an eccentric contraction. Increasing the force by increasing the resistance against the attachment point intensifies the therapeutic effect. The user may also be in a different position, such as on his knees. The user may bend forward or backward (to create flexion or extension), and/or bend laterally to stretch other muscles and further intensify the stretch of the on the targeted body part(s). The user may also put the loops around different body parts including, but not limited to the legs, neck, shoulders, arms, back, knees and feet.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of aharness portion200 of an example therapeutic strap. Theharness portion200 includes first andsecond loops202a,b. Thefirst loop202ais formed by connecting afirst loop length204ato asecond loop length212aby mating afirst buckle member206aat the end of thefirst loop length204ato asecond buckle member208aon the end of thesecond loop length212a. Thesecond loop202bis formed by connecting athird loop length204bto afourth loop length212aby mating athird buckle member206bat the end of thethird loop length204bto afourth buckle member208bon the end of thefourth loop length212b. Closure of the first andsecond loops202a,bmay be accomplished as shown at202a′ and202b′, respectively, as shown inFIG. 2. The first andthird loop lengths204a,bare affixed to acentral strip220 at afixture point222. The second andfourth loop lengths212a,bare also affixed to thecentral strip220 at thefixture point222.
• Thecentral strip220 also includesbuckle members224,226 on each end of thecentral strip220. Theharness portion200 also includes afirst foam pad230aon thefirst loop length204aof thefirst loop202a, and asecond foam pad230bon thethird loop length204bof thesecond loop202b. Thefoam pads230a,bmay be used on theharness portion200 to reduce discomfort that may arise when theloops202a,bare tightened on a user's body.
• FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the harness portion ofFIG. 2.FIG. 3 illustrates an example implementation of theharness portion200. The first andthird loop lengths204a,bmay be implemented as a single strip of suitable material attached at thefixture point222 to thecentral strip220. Thecentral strip220 may be a single strip of suitable material with thebuckles224,226 attached at the opposite ends. The second andfourth loop lengths212a,bmay also be implemented as a single length of strip of suitable material attached to thecentral strip220 at thefixture point222. Thefixture point222 may be a rivet. The three strips of material shown inFIG. 4 may also be sown to one another around thefixture point222 to ensure a secure attachment.
• It is noted that the portion of thecentral strip220 extending to thefirst buckle224 is shorter than the portion of thecentral strip220 that extends to thesecond buckle226. The difference in length provides a choice ofbuckles224,226 to which the attachment portion104 (FIG. 1) may be connected. The buckles provide a choice of levels of intensity with which the user may stretch the target body parts. For example, if the user places the loops around each leg as described above with reference toFIG. 1 with theattachment portion104 attached to thefirst buckle224 attached to the shorter portion of thecentral strip220, the user would obtain a more intense stretch than if the user attached theattachment portion104 to thesecond buckle226.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating use of the therapeutic strap.FIG. 4 shows afirst loop404asnugly wrapped around the user'sleft leg420a, and asecond loop404bsnugly wrapped around user'sright leg420b. The connecting devices and adjusting devices are not shown for purposes of description. Anattachment portion406 is pulled in a direction indicated by strap tension while the user moves forward in the direction shown as user motion. The user's motion combined with the strap tension creates an angular motion at the first andsecond loops404a,b. Thefirst loop404aaround theleft leg420amoves in a clockwise angular motion. Thesecond loop404baround theright leg420bmoves in a counter-clockwise angular motion. The angular motion by theloops404a,brotate the left andright legs420a,binward to stretch the pelvic area and legs.
• The user may stretch the area by carefully moving away from the attachment point to create a tension in the attachment portion. The user may intensify the stretch and include other muscles in the stretch by bending at the waist, or by getting into selected position, or pose, such as an all-fours position similar to the “down dog” pose in yoga. By varying the user's position while the attachment portion is taut, the user may stretch different groups of muscles including parts of the body that are difficult to stretch by other means. Use of the therapeutic strap as shown inFIG. 4 may allow the user to stretch groups of muscles that may include the user's adductors, psoas, iliacus, gluteus maximus, as well as the piriformis, quadratus femoris and the other smaller external rotators of the hip. The angular motion created also addresses the tensor fascia latae and the iliotibia band.
• Use of the therapeutic body strap as described above with reference toFIG. 4 may benefit the user's various body parts as follows:
• • 1. Legs: When the user's hip rotators are tight, the legs and feet may tend to turn outward (abduct) causing pain and tightness. Tightness in the hip rotators may also cause various forms of nerve impingement. The ligaments and tendons of the knees are overstretched causing the knees and feet to experience occasional pain that may be severe as well as general weakening. The therapeutic body strap may be used to re-align the pelvis, sacrum, legs, knees and feet of the user by helping to reduce sacral nutation (rotation of the sacrum) and by alleviating unnecessary pressure on the two hips that may be caused by the head of the femurs in the hip sockets. The body strap also works to reduce perineal and sciatic nerve impingement. The therapeutic body strap may also work with the semi-membranous and semi-tendinosus muscles, as well as the biceps femoris and sortorius muscle. The body strap may also work to balance hyper- and hypo-tonicity in the muscles of the legs.
  • 2. Hips and low back: The body strap creates an isometric action in the adductors, which may help to reset the hip joint by balancing the adductor muscles. An internal rotation of the hips is thus encouraged as a counter-balance to the otherwise tight hip, or tight external rotators, which may cause severe pain in the low back and restrict blood flow to the lower body chain. The body strap allows the user to maintain a more neutral spine by relaxing the tight muscles (hamstrings) and strengthening the weaker ones (abdominals). The release of all of these muscles and tendons alleviate sacral nutation, which may impinge the sacral nerves causing intense pain and severe restriction of movement.
  • 3. Torso and mid back: Muscle imbalances affect the spine in a variety of ways. For example, weak abdominal muscles cause the spine to sag or collapse. The hip flexors may then weaken causing a more pronounced curvature (lordosis) in the low back. Tight hamstrings may also rotate the pelvis backwards causing (Kyphosis) slouching.
• It is noted that the use of the therapeutic body strap illustrated inFIG. 4 creates an internal rotation of the limbs inside theloops420a,b. In alternative uses, the therapeutic body strap may be used to create an external rotation. For example, the user may step into theloops420a,bfacing away from the user motion inFIG. 4. Theloops420a,bwould create an external rotation on the thighs. The external rotation may be beneficial for users that may have a ‘pigeon toe’ walking gait in which the toes are forced to point in.
• The therapeutic body strap may be used in a variety of ways to bring relief to various body parts. The therapeutic body strap works by activating the whole neuromuscular axis as each part of the body is exercised. The body strap helps to re-educate the sensory and motor feedback loops throughout the body and to work with muscular imbalances via the muscle spindle (lengthening) and Golgi tendon organ (tension) systems. The body strap permits the user to hold many different muscular tensioning patterns, which include both resistance and resting muscular states.
• FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate ways in which the therapeutic body strap100 (FIG. 1) described above may be used for exercise and/or stretching different body parts.FIG. 5A shows auser500 wearing thetherapeutic body strap502 in the manner described above with reference toFIGS. 1 and 4. Thebody strap502 is shown high up on the user's legs, however, the user may vary the muscles stretched and the groups of muscles stretched by placing thebody strap502 higher or lower on the user's legs.
• FIG. 5B shows the user with thetherapeutic body strap502 on as shown inFIG. 5A in a bent over position. By bending over at the waist, the user intensifies the stretch in the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and other muscles. The simultaneous stretch of these muscles along with the muscles stretched by the angular motion caused by the body strap provides a user with a more synchronized stretch involving a variety of muscles.
• FIG. 5C shows the user with thetherapeutic body strap520 configured to create a single large loop. The user tightens the large loop around his waist and faces the attachment point. The user walks backwards to create the tautness in the strap and leans backward to stretch. The user may also turn thebody strap520 so that the attachment point is to the user's side. The user may then bend sideways to stretch the obliques among other muscles.
• FIG. 5D shows the user wearing thetherapeutic body strap540 with the loops around the shoulders. The user may thus use thebody strap540 to stretch muscles of the upper body. For example, the muscles of the neck are extensors and flexors. The capital muscles flex and extend the head on the cervical spine and the cervical muscles flex the neck and alter its curvature. Neck muscle receptors affect the posture and the locomotion of the body as well. When the neck muscles are tight and improperly balanced, the nerves become innervated and the body loses its natural kinesthetic awareness and therefore its ability to move freely. The body strap trains and allows the muscles and tendons of the head, neck and shoulders to relax and release more naturally. When accompanied by other physical exercises, the body strap may help to restore the upper torso to a more balanced, normatonic state.
• FIG. 6 is a top view of another example of atherapeutic strap600. Thetherapeutic strap600 includes aharness portion602 and anattachment portion604 that connects to anoptional extension portion608, which further connects to adoor strap610, which is also optional for attachment to a fixed point. Theharness portion602 includes afirst loop606aand asecond loop606b. In an example use of thebody strap600, thefirst loop606amay be used to wrap around the user's leg, such as for example, the left leg. Thesecond loop606bmay be used to wrap around the user's other leg, such as for example, the right leg. In other applications, theloops606a,bmay wrap around other body parts, such as the arms. The twoloops606aand606bmay also be opened and used with a single-loop converter (described below with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B) to form a larger loop that may be placed around the pelvis or torso. The user may then stand with his or her side towards the point of attachment to perform a side stretch, or facing the point of attachment to perforin back bends as described below with reference toFIG. 9.
• Eachloop606a,bmay include grip andcomfort pads630a,bandloop connecting devices620a,b. The grip andcomfort pads630a,bmay be positioned along the strap material of eachloop606a,bto provide friction between the strap material and the surface of the user's body. In one example, the grip andcomfort pads630a,bmay be made of a foam-like material able to create a suitable amount of friction with either the user's skin or typical clothing materials, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, or wool. The foam-like material may also provide some comfort when positioned over areas of the user's body that may be sensitive to rubbing or friction contact with strap materials.
• The user may form thefirst loop606aby connecting one extension of theloop606awith another extension of theloop606ausing the firstloop connecting device620a. Similarly, the user may form thesecond loop606bby connecting a portion of thesecond loop606bwith another portion of thesecond loop606bwith the secondloop connecting device620b. The first andsecond loops606a,bmay each include a length adjuster, which may be part of theloop connecting devices620a,b, to allow the user to adjust the size of theloop606a,b. In use, the length adjuster adjusts the tightness of theloops606a,baround the user's body parts; for example, the user's legs. The length adjusters may be used by pulling on an excess strap lengths on eachloop606a,b.
• The first andsecond loops606a,bjoin at a common point encircled by aring611. Theloops606a,bmay be joined by fixing the materials of eachloop606a,btogether using a suitable fixing mechanism, such as for example, stitching the materials together. Theattachment portion604 includes a swivel hook andloop612, which is hooked to thering611, on one end and a firstattachment connecting device622 on the other end. The loop portion of the swivel hook andloop612 receives the strap material of theattachment portion604. The other portion of the firstattachment connecting device622 may be on any suitable mating portion that may be a part of any means for attaching the harness to a fixed point. In the example illustrated inFIG. 6, the firstattachment connecting device622 connects to the variablelength extension portion608. The variablelength extension portion608 attaches on its other end to thedoor strap610 via a secondattachment connecting device624.
• Theloops606a,b, theattachment portion604,extension portion608 anddoor strap610 may be made of nylon, cotton, canvas, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material. The material may be a type of material that is molded, or formed by some other means. The material may be made with minimal elasticity to allow the strip material to stretch, at least slightly, during use. The material should not be too elastic to provide sufficient tautness in theattachment portion604 to provide the intended benefit. The firstloop connecting device620a, secondloop connecting device620b, the firstattachment connecting device622 and secondattachment connecting device624 may be implemented with buckles, snaps, clips, or any other device for connecting an end of one strip to another end of a strip. Side release plastic buckles are used as examples.
• Thebody strap602 shown inFIG. 6 operates similar to thebody strap100 inFIG. 1. Thedoor strap610 is included to permit attachment by wrapping around the entire door. When used to create tension forces in the direction in which the door is shut, the door jamb and the entire door frame provide a more secure resistance against the tension force created by the user. Theextension portion608 allows the user to vary the length of the strap carrying the tension, or by using a different material having, for example, different elastic properties, the user may vary the ‘feel’ of the tension with the elasticity of the strap material. For example, theharness portion602,attachment portion604, andextension portion608 may be made of a material, such as a woven nylon, that does not stretch very much (e.g. <2%). In an example use, theextension portion608 may be replaced with another extension portion made of a more elastic material, such as woven rubber, that may stretch with some resistance (e.g. ˜15%). The moreelastic extension portion608 may be used to provide resistance for isotonic exercises.
• FIG. 7A is a top view of aharness portion602 of thetherapeutic strap600 inFIG. 6. The first andsecond loops606a,bof theharness portion602 are open. The firstloop connecting device620aincludes amale portion704aand afemale portion704b. The secondloop connecting device620balso includes a male portion702aand afemale portion702b. The loops are joined at the common point encircled by aring714 to which the hook portion of a swivel loop andhook712 is hooked. A loop portion of the swivel loop andhook712 connects to theattachment portion604.
• FIG. 7B is a top view of a swivel loop andhook712 in theharness portion602 inFIG. 7A.FIG. 7B illustrates the ability of the hook portion of the swivel loop andhook portion712 to swivel in relation to the loop portion. The swivel releases any twisting of the strap material that may result when the user attaches thetherapeutic strap600 to a fixture.
• FIG. 8A is a top view of asingle loop converter800. Thesingle loop converter800 includes a first female siderelease buckle portion802, second female siderelease buckle portion804, and apad806. Thesingle loop converter800 may be used to create a single loop with theharness portion602 of thetherapeutic strap600 for use on working different body parts.FIG. 8B is a top view of a single-loop harness portion820 using thesingle loop converter800 inFIG. 8A and theharness portion602 inFIG. 7A. The first female single bucklerelease buckle portion802 is connected to themale portion704aof the firstloop connecting device620a. The second female single bucklerelease buckle portion804 is connected themale portion702bof the secondloop connecting device620b. The size of the singleloop harness portion820 may be adjusted by the length adjusters on the loop extensions to accommodate the user's body part that is the subject of the exercise. One example use involves placing the single loop around the user's waist for a back stretch as shown inFIG. 5C.FIG. 9 shows an example use of thetherapeutic strap600 configured with a single-loop harness portion820. The user bends sideways to stretch the oblique muscles and other muscles along the side of the torso, which may be difficult to stretch properly without using thetherapeutic strap600 as a resistance point on the opposite side of the body. Thepad806 on the singleloop harness portion820 protects the user from any pain that may be caused by the strap against the user's body.FIG. 8 also shows the use of theextension portion608 looped on to thedoor strap610.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an example of how thetherapeutic body strap600 inFIG. 6 may be used to provide lower back pain relief. Thetherapeutic strap600 is first set up using thedoor strap610 and theextension strap608 connected to theattachment portion604 as shown inFIG. 9. Thedoor strap610 is adjusted so that theextension strap608 hangs along the edge of the door as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B. The user positions his body so that the knees are on opposite sides of the door. The user places one thigh in oneloop606aand the other thigh in theother loop606bas shown inFIG. 10A so that the pads on theloops606a,bof theharness portion602 are substantially behind and slightly above the user's knees (at1002 and1004). The user then reclines to lay on his back as shown inFIG. 10B. Once on his back, the user may pull on the excess strap on theextension strap608 to shorten theextension strap608, thus raising theharness portion602. The user keeps pulling on the excess strap until the user's knees and lower legs are hanging from thedoor strap610. The user may hold this position in a relaxed state until the user experiences a low back release.
• The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be acquired from practicing the invention. Uses, exercises and other benefits have been described above for purposes of illustration. The therapeutic body strap may be used in many other ways to achieve benefits that have not been described here. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. A body strap comprising:

a first loop and a second loop, each loop made of a strip of material, the first loop and second loop joined at a joining point;

an attachment portion hooked to the first and second loops at the joining point, the attachment portion extending from the joining point;

an attaching assembly connected to the attachment portion, the attaching assembly configured to attach to a fixture;

the first and second loops being configured to surround a user's body parts to allow the user to stretch by creating a tension in the attachment portion.

2. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the first and second loops each include a first and second loop length connectable by connecting devices to form the respective first and second loops.

3. The body strap ofclaim 2 where the connecting devices include buckles, snaps, and clips.

4. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the first and second loops include length adjusters to vary the tension on the body part.

5. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the attachment portion includes an extension of the central strip.

6. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the attachment portion includes a rotatable joint for connecting to the first and second loops.

7. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the attachment portion includes a swivel loop and hook on one end.

8. The body strap ofclaim 7 where the attaching assembly includes an extension strap connected by a releasable connecting device to a door strap.

9. The body strap ofclaim 1 further comprising a foam pad on each of the first and second loops, the foam pads configured to provide a cushion between the loops and the user's body.

10. The body strap ofclaim 1 where the material includes nylon, cotton, canvas, rubber, or plastic.

11. A method for stretching a user's torso comprising:

snugly surrounding a first loop on a harness portion of a body strap around the user's first thigh;

snugly surrounding a second loop on a harness portion of the body strap around the user's second thigh;

securing an attachment portion on the body strap to a stationary object; and

creating a tension in the attachment portion to generate an angular motion around the first and second upper thighs.

12. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising:

tightening the first and/or second loops by pulling on length adjusters.

13. The method ofclaim 11 where the step of creating the tension in the attachment portion includes facing away from the stationary object and stepping away from the stationary object to generate the tension behind the thighs creating an internal rotation of the upper thighs.

14. The method ofclaim 11 where the step of creating the tension in the attachment portion includes facing towards the stationary object and stepping away from the stationary object to generate the tension in front of the thighs creating an external rotation of the upper thighs.

15. A method for stretching a user's lower back area comprising:

attaching a harness portion of a therapeutic body strap to an attachment portion;

attaching the attachment portion to a length-adjustable extension portion;

affixing the extension portion to a stationary object such that the harness portion hangs from the stationary object;

surrounding a first loop on the harness portion of a body strap around the user's first knee;

surrounding a second loop on the harness portion of the body strap around the user's second knee;

shortening the length of the extension portion until the user's knees and lower legs are hanging by the loops of the harness portion.

16. The method ofclaim 15 where the step of affixing the extension portion to the stationary object includes connecting the extension portion to a door strap.

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