FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and/or apparatus for treating muscle and/or joint disorders.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

By way of example, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint which connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJD results from acute or chronic inflammation of the temporomandibular joint.

TMJD can affect a person in a negative manner because it can result in significant pain and impairment.

Treatment of TMJD has traditionally been through conventional pain killers such as paracetamol. However, such treatments only suppress the pain, and do not help in prevention of the disorder.

Stabilization splints have been used to treat TMJD, however this type of treatment has been shown to cause permanent changes in the bite of the patient. If a stabilization splint is not fitted properly, the teeth may become misaligned, thus worsening the condition.

Other traditional treatments have included moving the associated muscles by hand in a repetitive manner of massaging the muscles. Similarly, opening and closing of the jaw has been suggested as a treatment.

Moving the muscles in such a way can set up an attack response. An attack response is when one muscle responds to another muscles movement. An attack response is characterised in that one muscle is the agonist while another is the antagonist. The golgi tendon organs set up this agonist/antagonist response. The reason for this is because golgi tendon organs function as static mechanoreceptors for protecting the ligaments around the temporomandibular joint. The resistance of the golgi tendons is detrimental to TMJD treatments in that it restricts the muscles from movement.

The stretching of other muscles or joints or stimulation of other muscles or joints of the body are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for treating muscle and/or joint disorders that addresses the abovementioned disadvantages and/or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists of a method for treating muscle and/or joint disorders comprising:

securing a patch component of a fastening system to a body of a person at where

(a) the disorder is located and/or

(b) where the disorder can be treated from, placing the patch in contact with an other component of the fastening system for fastening the patch to the fastening system, the other component of the fastening system being secured to a structure, and moving the body at where the patch is located relative the structure and/or in order to move the muscle/joint relative proximate muscles/joints in the body.

Preferably, the patch component is one of a hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system and is secured to a body of a person at where ^"

(a) the disorder is located and/or

(b) where the disorder can be treated from, placing the patch component in contact with the other component of the fastening system, the other component being the odier of die hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system being secured to a structure, and moving the body at where the patch is located relative the structure in order to move the muscle/joint relative proximate muscles/joints in the body.

Preferably, the other component of the fastening system is engaged to die structure.

Preferably said moving is a repetitive moving of the body.

Preferably said securing is adhesive securing.

Preferably adhesive securing is by an adhesive provided on a dermal securing face of the patch.

Preferably said securing is dermal adhesive securing.

Preferably said securing is by adhering an adhesive provided on the opposite face or surface of said patch to where said patch component of the fastening system is disposed to die body of the person.

Preferably said patch is removeably securable to the body of the person.

Preferably said patch is a substantially flexible panel. More preferably, the substantially flexible panel is mouldable or flexible or shapeable about or to the body of the person.

Preferably said patch is shaped to have a perimeter substantially commensurate with an area to be treated.

Preferably the person is, during a treatment, wearing at least one wearable item. More preferably, the wearable item is selected from one of i) at least one glove and at least one footwear, ii) two gloves and ϋi) two footwear.

Preferably two of said gloves are provided one for each hand of said person.

Preferably said footwear is a bootie and wherein two of said booties are provided one for each foot of said person.

Preferably the method further includes the person putting on gloves or footwear or both that include a zone or zones of a component that is the same component as the patch component of the fastening system, and placing the gloves or footwear or both against a surface that carries an other component of the fastening system to become engaged thereto, so as to provide additional stability to the person during a treatment.

Preferably through the use of gloves or footwear or both, said person can secure the distal ends of their limbs in place during or for a treatment.

Preferably the wearable item comprises a surface or surfaces defined by the same component of the fastening system as the patch for engaging or securing to the other component of die fastening system.

Preferably through the use of an anchor or anchors, said person can secure the distal ends of their limbs in place during or for a treatment. More preferably, the anchor or anchors is/are one or more of a foot strap or foot straps, a hand strap or hand straps.

Preferably the anchor or anchors is/are adjustable or conformable or fittable to the distal limbs of the person.

Preferably the other component of the fastening system is provided on a structure in a position to allow a person to be positioned in a desired position relative thereto and place said patch against the other component.

Preferably the structure is a wall.

Preferably the structure is a floor.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall and a floor.

Preferably die wall is defined by a wall surface and die floor is defined by a floor surface.

Preferably the wall surface is formed of the other component of a fastening system, and the floor surface is formed of the other component of a fastening system, die other components being the same.

Preferably the wall surface is formed of one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system, and the floor surface is formed of one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system, the wall surface and the floor surface being formed of die same one of a hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system.

Preferably a floor surface of a floor is provided adjacent a wall surface of a wall such that a said person can be upwardly supported by said floor surface and simultaneously engage with die wall surface.

Preferably a wall surface of a wall and a floor surface of a floor forming the structure abut each other.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall including a wall surface, the wall surface including a planar region inclined to the vertical with the normal to said wall surface projecting above the horizontal.

Preferably the structure comprises a floor including a floor surface inclined to the horizontal with the normal to said floor surface having a component of direction projecting away from a wall surface forming a wall of the structure.

Preferably the structure is a wall unit, the wall unit comprising a wall panel with which the a component of the fastening system is engaged, said wall paneF engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure. •

Preferably a wall of the structure is a wall unit, the wall unit comprising a wall panel with which said one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system is engaged, said wall panel engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure.

Preferably a floor of the structure is a floor unit comprising of floor panel with which said one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system is engaged, said floor panel engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure.

Preferably the structure comprises a floor surface defined by a or the other component of the fastening system.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall surface defined by a or the other component of the fastening system.

Preferably a floor surface of a floor of the structure extends from said wall surface to a distance away there from of at least 1.0 meters.

Preferably the wall surface extends from and above a floor surface, to a height of at least substantially 1.5 meters.

Preferably the structure is a fixed structure.

Preferably the structure is a portable structure or a moveable structure.

Preferably the structure comprises a hinged or pivotable panel or wall portion.

Preferably the structure comprises a portion or portions shaped or mouldable or conformable to the body of the person.

Preferably the fastening system further comprises an intermediate component or intermediate components engageable with the patch and the other component secured to the structure.

Preferably said disorder is a temporomandibular joint disorder.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists of an apparatus for the treatment of muscle and/or joint disorders, said apparatus including a patch component securable to a part of a body of person at an area at where

(a) the disorder to be treated is located and/or

(b) the disorder can be treated from, said patch comprising one part of a fastening system, the patch component fastenable to an other component of the fastening system secured to a structure to allow a person to position themselves adjacent thereto to apply said patch to the fastening system and thereby hold part of said body fixed relative said structure to, upon movement of the body at where the patch is located relative the structure move the muscle/joint relative proximate muscles/joints of the body.

Preferably said apparatus including a patch component securable to a part of a body of a person at an area at where

(a) the disorder to be treated is located and/ or

(b) the disorder can be treated from, said patch including at one of its major surface, one of a hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system, the other of the hook and loop component of the hook and loop fastening system secured to a structure to allow a person to position themselves adjacent thereto to apply said patch to said other of said hook and loop component and thereby hold part of said body fixed relative said structure to, upon movement of the body at where the patch is located relative the structure move the muscle/joint relative proximate muscles/joints of the body.

Preferably the other component of the fastening system is secured or engaged to the structure.

Preferably the patch is securable by an adhesive. More preferably, the adhesive is a dermal adhesive.

Preferably the patch is securable to the body of the person an adhesive provided on the opposite face or surface of said patch to where said patch component of the fastening system is disposed.

Preferably the patch is a removeably securable patch, removeably securable to the body of the person.

Preferably said patch is a substantially flexible panel. More preferably, the substantially flexible panel is a mouldable or flexible or shapeable panel about or to the body of the person.

Preferably the patch is shaped to have a perimeter substantially commensurate with an area to be treated.

Preferably at least one wearable item is provided for wearing by the person, during a treatment. More preferably, the wearable item is selected from one of i) at least one glove and at least one footwear, ii) two gloves and iii) two footwear.

Preferably two of said gloves are provided one for each hand of said person.

Preferably said footwear is a bootie and wherein two of said booties are provided one for each foot of said person.

Preferably wherein the method further includes the person putting on gloves or footwear or both that include a zone or zones of a component that is the same component as the patch component of the fastening system, and placing the gloves or footwear or both against a surface that carries an other component of the fastening system to become engaged thereto, so as to provide additional stability to the person during a treatment.

Preferably through the use of gloves or footwear or both, said person can secure the distal ends of their limbs in place during or for a treatment.

Preferably the wearable item comprises a surface or surfaces defined by the same component of the fastening system as the patch for engaging or securing to the other component of the fastening system.

Preferably through the use of an anchor or anchors, said person can secure the distal ends of their limbs in place during or for a treatment.

Preferably the anchor or anchors is/are one or more of a foot strap or foot straps, a hand strap or hand straps.

Preferably the anchor or anchors is/are adjustable or conformable or fittable to the distal limbs of the person.

Preferably the other component of the fastening system is provided on a structure in a position to allow a person to be positioned in a desired position relative thereto and place said patch against the other component.

Preferably the structure is a wall.

Preferably the structure is a floor.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall and a floor.

Preferably the wall is defined by a wall surface and the floor is defined by a floor surface.

Preferably the wall surface is formed of the other component of a fastening system, and the floor surface is formed of the other component of a fastening system, the other components being the same.

Preferably the wall surface is formed of one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system, and the floor surface is formed of one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system, the wall surface and the

floor surface being formed of the same one of a hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system.

Preferably a floor surface of a floor is provided adjacent a wall surface of a wall such that a said person can be upwardly supported by said floor surface and simultaneously engage with the wall surface.

Preferably a wall surface of a wall and a floor surface of a floor forming the structure abut each other.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall including a wall surface, the wall surface including a planar region inclined to the vertical with the normal to said wall surface projecting above the horizontal.

Preferably the structure comprises a floor including a floor surface inclined to the horizontal with the normal to said floor surface having a component of direction projecting away from a wall surface forming a wall of the structure.

Preferably the structure is a wall unit, the wall unit comprising a wall panel with which the a component of the fastening system is engaged, said wall panel engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure.

Preferably a wall of the structure is a wall unit, the wall unit comprising a wall panel with which said one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system is engaged, said wall panel engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure.

Preferably a floor of the structure is a floor unit comprising of floor panel with which said one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system is engaged, said floor panel engaged to a support structure to be supported as a unit by a permanent fixed structure.

Preferably the structure comprises a floor surface defined by a or the other component of the fastening system.

Preferably the structure comprises a wall surface defined by a or the other component of a fastening system.

Preferably a floor surface of a floor of the structure extends from said wall surface to a distance away there from of at least 1.0 meters.

Preferably the wall surface extends from and above a floor surface, to a height of at least substantially 1.5 meters.

Preferably the structure is a fixed structure.

Preferably the structure is a portable structure or a moveable structure.

Preferably the structure comprises a hinged or pivotable panel or wall portion.

Preferably the structure comprises a portion or portions shaped or mouldable or conformable to the body of the person.

Preferably the fastening system further comprises an intermediate component or intermediate components engageable with the patch and the other component secured to the structure.

Preferably the patch is to be engaged to the skin of the person.

Preferably said disorder is a temporomandibular joint disorder.

In a third aspect, the present invention broadly consists of a patch to be engaged to the skin of a person, said patch including on one major face side or surface a zone defined by one component of a fastening system, and the patch including on the other major face side or surface an adhesive zone to allow said patch to be adhered to the skin of the person.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention broadly consists of a patch to be engaged to the skin of a person, said patch including on one major face side or surface a zone defined by one of a hook component and loop component of a hook and look system, and the patch including on the other major face side an adhesive zone to allow said patch to be adhered to the skin of the person.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention broadly consists of a use of the patch defined in the third or fourth aspect according to the method of the first aspect.

Preferably the patch is to be engaged to the skin of a person according to any of the aspects above.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of." When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 illustrates a patch as part of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure 1,

Figure 3 illustrates a patch applied to the face of a person,

Figure 4 is a side view of a person standing adjacent a wall and floor surface and wherein the face is engaged via the patch, to a wall surface,

Figure 5 is a view in direction B of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view of a glove that may be used as part of the present invention,

Figure 7 is a view of a booty that may be used as part of the present invention,

Figure 8 illustrates one embodiment of intermediate components forming a part of a fastening system as part of the present invention, and

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the structure according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention consists in both a method and apparatus for treatment of muscle and/or joint disorder. In order to effect movement of parts of the body that may facilitate in the treatment of the muscle and/or joint, there is provided a patch 1 as shown in Figure 1. The patch 1 is of a perimeter shape 2 that has been selected to be of a shape to assist in performing the method of the present invention. The patch 1 is applied to a person such as for example the skin of a person. This may for example be seen as an example in Figure 3. The patch 1 in this instance is of a shape to be applied to the face to facilitate in the treatment of TMJD. The patch, on its first major surface 3 includes a zone defined by one of a hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system. In the example shown in Figure 2, the zone is preferably the hook component of the system although it may alternatively be the loop component.

The patch may include a substrate surface 4 onto which the component 3 is secured such as by adhesive or other forms of fastening. The zone 3 may be of an extent to cover the entire major surface of the patch or only part of the patch.

The opposite face side of the patch preferably includes an adhesive 5. The adhesive 5 is provided for the purposes of affixing the patch to the skin of the person. The adhesive 5 may include a peel back film which protects the adhesive immediately prior to being used. The peel back (not shown) may be pulled away from the adhesive layer 5 to expose the adhesive layer to then allow for this to be placed against the skin of the person.

The adhesive used is one that may, without significant discomfort, allow for removal of the patch from the skin of the person.

The person wearing the patch 1 can then position themselves adjacent to a surface such as a wall surface 6 that is for example engaged to a fixed structure 7 and place the patch against the wall surface. The wall surface may include a zone of the other of the hook and loop component of a hook and loop fastening system such that the patch can become fastened to die wall. Where the patch, as shown in Figure 2, includes the hook component, die wall may include a zone defining the loop component. A person can place the patch attached to their skin against the surface 6 and become affixed thereto. The person can then move parts of their body to affect a movement of the body immediately adjacent die patch whilst the skin at die patch remains stationary relative to the surface 6. This can result in a stretching and/or movement of muscles and/or joints at the zone of the person where die patch is applied and/or proximate the zone of the person where the patch is applied. As a consequence, treatment of the disorder may occur.

It will be appreciated the fastening system may comprise reciprocally engaging components. For example, options odier than the hook component and the loop component of a fastening system are considered. In one preferred embodiment the reciprocally engageable components are a pedestal and a loop component or other components engageable to each other enabling a person to secure themselves or their distal limbs of their body to the structure.

In order to reduce the effects of any attack response or any adverse effects of the golgi tendon organs, a person being treated, may, in order to provide additional body stability, wear gloves and/or booties that also include a component of a hook and loop fastening system. With reference to Figure 6 there is shown a glove 10 that includes a zone 11 that is one component of a hook and loop fastening component system. In the preferred form where the surface 6 includes a zone of just one component of a hook and fastening system, and where such is the loop component, the zone 11 may be the loop component of the system. Accordingly a person wearing the gloves can engage dieir hands to the surface 6 to gain stability during treatment, from die wall. Likewise the booties 7 may include a zone 12 that is of a loop or hook component for engagement to a loop or hook component zone of the floor surface 13 of the fixed structure 15.

The wall of the fixed structure preferably has its normal projecting in a slight upward direction as shown in Figure 4. This can help facilitate and encourage the engagement of the person dierewidi. Likewise die floor surface may be presented to be slighdy sloping away from the wall surface such diat its normal N has a component projecting away from die wall.

Advantageously, the present invention provides for or allows dermal adhesion of the jaw or odier body parts or limbs for the purposes of traction, such as the masseter muscle utilising whole or substantially whole or entire muscle groups of die arms or legs or both to overwhelm

the muscle or muscle group or joint of the jaw or other body part or limb, such as the masseter, to for it to release or change from one muscular state to a different muscular state.

In one preferred embodiment, dermal adhesion of a patch or patches is provided by a releasable adhesive. The patch may form a part of multiple components forming a fastening system. For example, a major surface of a patch can be secured to a body part using a dermal adhesive. Another major surface of the patch can be attached to or secured to or engaged with a further component of a fastening system. For example, the other major surface of the patch may include one of a hook and loop component fastening system. The other of the hook and loop component fasting system can be attached to or secured to or affixed to the structure.

In alternative preferred embodiments, an intermediate fastening component or components can be utilised to engage or be secured to the patch and which are intermediate of the fastening system component attached or secured to or affixed to the structure. Figure 8 generally illustrates this alternative embodiment.

In Figure 8, a patch 1 comprising a releasable adhesive 20 on a first major surface 21 of the patch 1 is provided for engaging with or securing the patch 1 to a part of a face 22. A second major surface 23 of the patch 1 is provided with one part or component 24 of a fastening system, such as a hook of a hook and loop fastening system. The second major surface 23 of the patch 1 is capable of fastening or being fastened to another part or component 25 of the fastening system, such to a loop of a hook and loop fastening system, for example which is provided for attaching or securing or attached to or secured to or affixed to a structure 26. Optionally, an intermediate fastening system component or components 27 can be used. It should be appreciated that alternatives to a hook and loop type system can be used, for example a pedestal and loop system may be employed. Other fastening systems can also be used which achieve the same or similar effect.

Where an intermediate fastening system component or components 27 is provided, the major surfaces 28, 29 of the intermediate component or part comprise receiving or receivable surfaces 30, 31. The receiving or receivable surfaces 30, 31 receive or engages with or fasten to the second major surface 23 of a patch 1 and to the other part or component 25 of a fastening system which is attached to or secured to or affixed to the structure 26.

It should be appreciated there may be more than one intermediate part or component 27. Advantageously, the use of intermediate parts or components allows for greater ease of use and positioning of a body of a user to the structure 26. For example, this intermediate component system may be particularly advantageous where a user has particular injuries or muscular disorders which may not initially be able to contort their body or body part to the structure 26.

Where for example a user is not able to contort their body or body part to the structure 26 for subsequent muscular/ joint stretching activities or training, it will be appreciated the structure may be of any desirable shape or may be formed from multiple components which enables a customised structure 26 to be formed. Examples of shapes of structures 26 include part or parts of the structure which include concave, convex, oblique, arcuate, polygonal, hexagonal, rectangular, square, spherical or oblong shapes or combinations of these shapes. One particular example includes a structure 26 shape comprising portions which are shaped to generally accommodate the profile of a face or facial mandibles. For example, the structure may be shaped or configurable to accommodate both sides of a face at the same time.

In a further alternative preferred embodiment, the structure can be a wall or a portion of a wall. The structure or portion of the structure 26A can also be hinged for pivoting or rotation in a vertical or horizontal plane, or any other plane as desired, such as illustrated in Figure 9. Where the structure is moveable or portable, that is the structure is a mobile structure, the structure may optionally be itself supported or attached or affixed to a further structure which enables the movement or portability. In some forms of the structure, the structure may provide for an approach or engagement angle by a user or a part of the body with the structure of more than 10° to the normal of the plane of a major surface of the structure.

It is contemplated that the structure may comprise of a wall portion and floor portion. Wall and floor portions may be separate components or may be integral or may be engageable or connectable with each odier.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, traction of a facial muscle, such as a mandibular muscle, is advantageously performed while 5 reference points of the body are held or restrained in a static position. For example, the 5 reference points may include both arms, both legs and the face. The arms may be secured by the hands. The legs may be secured by the feet. The face may be secured by the located where the patch is located.

The reference points for the hands, legs, feet or other limbs may alternatively be held in position using anchor or anchors such as strap devices, such as foot straps, hand straps or similar limb engaging devices. Such anchors or limb or body engaging devices can be fully adjustable in size for different body part shapes or configurations. The anchors or engaging devices can also be coupled or attached or affixed to the structure or a part of the structure.

Fewer reference points than the above may be needed. However the effectiveness of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be compromised.

The number of reference points needed for stretching of muscles/joints can vary from one muscle group to another or from one joint to another. It is preferred that the number of reference points is sufficient to ensure the muscle or joint being stretched is/are well supported

and are sufficient to ensure the muscle/joint being stretched can be overpowered by the muscles/joints supported/held in position at the reference points. It is understood the recruitment of sufficient muscle groups or joints which can counter-act against the muscle or joint being isolated for stretching or moving relative to the wall should be achieved. Recruitment means that the combined stabilisation or forces provided by recruited muscles/joints over-power the muscle or joint being stretched. It is further believed that in this manner the muscle/joint being stretched is physiologically or mechanistically isolated by the other muscles/joints forming the reference points.

The present invention may be applied to facial muscles, back muscles, leg muscles or body joints. Particular use may relate to the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, but may equally relate to the treatment of other muscular disorders, such as for example muscle spasm or alleviation of discomfort associated with a repetitive strain injury. Gastrocnemius, hip flexor, hamstring and shoulder abduction stretching may all be undertaken using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

The present invention may be said to relate to proprior-ceptor neuro muscular facilitation. There may be a resetting of the proprior-ceptors and nerves so muscles can become free and go to their normal working state. A normal working state may be a state other than a tensed or spasm state.

Considered uses of the present invention also include a treatment or treatments of facial muscles following dental procedures, as an additional physiotherapeutic method and/or device, as a preventative care treatment. The present invention may preferably provide an alterative to an additional treatment to trigger point therapies, drying needling or acupuncture.

Advantageously, the present invention provides a platform where all of the muscles of the limbs that are required or are necessary are recruited for applying pressure or force to a muscle for the process of releasing stress or promoting relaxation of the muscle from a first stressed state to a second, preferably less stressed state.

It is further contemplated that the present invention may provide for an increase in flexibility or range of motion of a joint br muscle. Increased ranges of motion can improve sporting performance in addition to health, fitness and general motor- control. Increased flexibility and further improve efficiency of a movement, improve posture and reduce potential injuries through muscular strains.

Aggravating factors for some patient symptoms include running, stress and physical activity with the upper body. Relieving factors include self trigger point release with a tennis ball, massage, dry needle acupuncture and pain relief medication.