WO2009107141A2

WO2009107141A2 - Garment for relieving back discomfort

Info

Publication number: WO2009107141A2
Application number: PCT/IL2009/000231
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yuri Babkin
Original assignee: Relaxspine Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-02-28
Filing date: 2009-03-01
Publication date: 2009-09-03
Also published as: WO2009107141A3; IL189813A0

Abstract

A garment (20) is provided including front and back portions, to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort. The garment includes at least one pair of spaced-apart elements (30, 32) which are couplable to the back portion of the garment and disposed substantially parallel to each other when coupled to the garment, on either side of a set of one or more vertebrae of a spine of a back of the user. When the garment is squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements prevent pressure from being applied by the hard surface on the one or more vertebrae of the spine of the user. When the garment is not squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements substantially do not press against the back of the user. Other embodiments are also described.

Description

GARMENT FOR RELIEVING BACK DISCOMFORT

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Israel Patent Application 189,813 to Babkin, filed February 28, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a garment and specifically to a garment for relieving back pain or discomfort . BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Back pain is a common medical problem affecting approximately 80% of the population at some point in their lifetime. There are several forms of back pain and discomfort e.g., lower back pain, middle back pain and upper back pain. Many individuals experience acute and intense back pain, while many others suffer from chronic, persistent back pain lasting for months and years. Many cases of back pain are mechanical and are not caused by serious medical conditions. The cost of medical care and disability payments resulting from back pain is very high.

The vertebral column, or spine, extends from the pelvis to the skull and is divided into four regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The vertebral column is composed of a series of bones known as vertebrae. The spinous process of a vertebra is a protrusion from the back portion of a vertebra to which many muscles and ligaments are attached. US 5,978,965 to Summers describes an upper body garment with strips that are described as muscle relaxing pads, arranged to face areas of the body in which muscle tension is likely to be a problem. The muscle relaxing pads are in the form of arrays of resilient nodules which extend inwardly to face the muscles of a wearer. The pads are placed sequentially along a strip which is inserted into a pocket in the garment . The strip is formed to present a convex curved profile to the wearer of the garment, thereby enhancing the therapeutic benefits of the garment .

US 2005/0101221 to Abbey et al . describes a garment, such as a tank top, camisole, bra top, shirt, athletic shorts or athletic pants, unitards or leotards, comprising a cushion described as comforting the spine during activities performed while lying on the back, such as yoga, pilates, bodysculpting, exercising, etc. The garments described may further comprise a means for cushioning the clavicle, sternum, shoulder blades, hips or pelvis.

US 5,571,076 to Cooper describes a body garment to which are attached "extra vertebrae muscles" comprised of: two half-rounds containing pliable material fastened to a less pliable shroud. The shroud captures the two half-rounds, thus making a two body contact on either side of the spinous process of the concave portion of the human back, and making pressure contact with the erector spinae muscles on either side of the spinous process and on the outside of the transverse process, and on both sides of the spinous process. The erector spinae muscles and other muscles of the vertebral column help in lifting. However, their primary function is" to protect the vertebrae bones, disks, and ligaments from slippage of a single vertebra, thereby- preventing injuries to the surrounding ligaments and muscles . The body garment fasteners are described as controlling body garment pressure to specific areas of the upper body. Fastening the waist fastener and the upper abdominal fastener are described as controlling body garment pressure to the extra vertebrae muscles and the lumbar back and abdominal muscles when lifting normal loads. For heavy lifting, the upper garment and buttocks fasteners are also used. Fasteners are body wrap fasteners; buttocks fastener is used for cupping the body garment for heavy lifting. The cupping of the body garment is described as providing vertical vertebrae pressure support that increases as the wearer bends to lift. When fastening the body garment for heavy lifting, the voids in support to the vertebrae are filled with bulk support pressure by the extra vertebrae muscles even when twisting and bending awkwardly. The extra vertebrae muscles give vertical support to the vertebral column. The body garment is described as giving the upper body muscles of the back and abdomen pressure support controlled by the fasteners.

US 5,533,961 to Iwata describes a lumbar support garment for surrounding at least the lumbar region of a wearer of the garment comprises a main cloth, a stretchable auxiliary . . belt, and longitudinal sheet-form support bones. The main cloth comprises a single-sheet of cloth made of stretchable fabric, or a face cloth and a lining cloth made of stretchable knit fabric, and extends in use from the lumbar region of the wearer's back, around the wearer's sides, to at least the sides of the wearer's abdomen. The main cloth includes vertical seam parts in the vicinity of the side regions or seam parts at least extending from the waist sides which slant downwards in the front of the main cloth. Darts are formed at the seam parts configuring the vertical-sectional form in a convex shape to the skin side. The stretchable auxiliary belt is made of stretchable knit fabric narrower than the main cloth and extends from the back at least at both right regions and is fixed to the main cloth at least at both right and left ends of the auxiliary belt. The support bones are made of an of an elastomer resin or an amorphous resin in the vicinity of the portions in contact with the right and left latissimus dorsi muscle and gluteus maximus muscle of the wearer's back side of the lumbar support garment .

US 6,321,388 to Hildebrandt describes an article of clothing for osteoporosis treatment. The article of clothing is comprised of a flexible, stretchable material and has a front part and a back part, which is provided on its inside with at least one air cushion strip on each side of an imaginary center line associated with the vertebral column of a user, each of these strips extending over the thoracic vertebral region and possibly also the upper lumbar vertebral region and having a number of air chambers that communicate with one another.

US 5,122,111 to Sebastian et al . , describes a therapeutic appliance which is described as being securable in an operative orientation around the abdominal region of the body for therapeutically treating the lumbar area and upper portion of the sacrum. The appliance includes an external shell securable about the abdominal region of the body, and pouches repositionably attached to the shell for accommodating various types of therapeutic pads. Each of the pouches may be moved or pivoted between a position at which the pad accommodated therein will overlie the lumbodorsal fascia and quadratus lumborum muscles and a second position at which the pad will overlie the erector spinae muscles. In addition, a band-like elastic member is secured to the shell in a manner in which the elastic member may exert tension over the pouches. Opposite ends of the elastic member can be secured at various locations along opposite ends of the external shell, so that the tension of the elastic member can be varied. Further, releasable suspender straps are provided to maximize comfort and to minimize the likelihood of user injury caused by snagging of the suspender straps .

The following patents may be of interest: US Patent 1,267,598 US Patent 1,592,496 US Patent 1,751,355 US Patent 2,617,412 US Patent 2,733,712

US Patent 4,047,757

US Patent 4, 120; 297

US Patent 4,189,182 US Patent 4,507,801

US Patent 4,572,578

US Patent 4,760,842

US Patent 4,866,789

US Patent 4,953,857 US Patent 4,991,573

US Patent 4,991,573

US Patent 5,007,412

US Patent 5,033,742

US Patent 5,140,995 US Patent 5,279,310

US Patent 5,328,447

US Patent 5,381,558

US Patent 5,586,561

US Patent 5,722,102 US Patent 5,806,093

US Patent 5,863,095

US Patent 6,041,457

US Patent 6,110,194

US Patent 6,588,020 US Patent 6,748,601

US Design D518895

WO 02/19853

GB 2,352,611

CA 2,512,831 CH 684380 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments of the present invention, a garment is provided for relieving back pain and discomfort. The garment is typically an upper body garment with arm holes, e.g., a vest, comprising front and back portions. Additionally, the vest typically comprises at least two parallel pockets, attached to the inner or outer surface of the back portion of the vest, for accommodating elements e.g., foam pads. When inserted into the pockets, the elements are spaced apart and aligned substantially parallel to each other. When the garment is worn by the user, the spaced-apart elements, which are coupled to the back portion of the garment, are positioned to vertically overlie the muscles on either side of the vertebral column in the lumbar region of the spine. The elements protrude from the garment either toward or away from the user's back. When the garment is squeezed between a surface and the user's back, the spaced- apart elements prevent pressure from being applied by the surface on vertebrae that are between the spaced-apart elements. In addition, the garment is generally loose-fitting, such that when the garment is not squeezed between a surface and the back of the user, the elements substantially do not press against the back of the user.

The inventor has identified that a cause of back pain is related to the anatomical structure of the vertebral column, which is surrounded by groups of muscles anteriorly and laterally. The posterior portion of each vertebra (the spinous process) protrudes from the vertebra posteriorly, and in contrast to the front and side portions of the vertebra, is not covered by overlying muscles. Therefore, the vertebral column is exposed to pressure applied by various surfaces e.g., a backrest or a mattress. Consequently, back pain often develops in sitting and lying positions. In these positions the lumbar region of the spine straightens, exposing the vertebrae to pressure from the underlying surface e.g., a chair or a bed, resulting in pressure applied by the spinous process of a vertebra on inter-vertebral discs and ligaments, causing back pain. Although there are many orthopedic chairs and mattresses designed to improve or redistribute pressure along the spinal column, people constantly move, thus reducing the effectiveness of these devices. The garment of embodiments of the present invention is designed to prevent the vertebral column of the user from contacting the surface against which the user wearing the garment abuts, by comprising elements which protrude from the back portion of the garment and distance the user's spine from the adjacent surface.

There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a garment including front and back portions, to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, the garment including: at least one pair of spaced-apart elements couplable to the back portion of the garment, disposed substantially parallel to each other when coupled to the garment, on either side of a set of one or more vertebrae of a spine of a back of the user, such that: when the garment is squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements prevent pressure from being applied by the hard surface on the one or more vertebrae of the spine of the user, and when the garment is not squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements substantially do not press against the back of the user.

In an embodiment, a thickness of each of the spaced-apart elements is 9-15 mm. In an embodiment, a length of each of the spaced-apart elements is 150-220 mm.

In an embodiment , a width of each of the spaced-apart elements is 100-180 mm.

In an embodiment, a distance between the spaced-apart elements when coupled to the garment is 50-200 mm.

In an embodiment, each of the spaced-apart elements is trapezoid-shaped.

In an embodiment, the garment has two substantially parallel pockets each shaped to retain one of the elements.

In an embodiment, at least a skin-facing side of each of the elements is devoid of protrusions that apply pressure to a back of the user. In an embodiment, the garment includes an upper body garment shaped to define arm holes .

In an embodiment, the upper body garment is a loose-fitting upper body garment that is devoid of securing portions that secure the spaced-apart elements to a back of the user.

In an embodiment, the upper body garment is a vest .

In an embodiment, the elements are coupled to a collar portion of the upper body garment.

In an embodiment, the elements are coupled to a site of the garment selected from the group consisting of: a thoracic portion of the garment, and a lumbar portion of the garment.

There is further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a garment to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, the garment comprising: front and back portions; and at least one pair of spaced-apart elements that are 9-15 mm thick, couplable to the back portion of the garment, disposed substantially parallel to each other when coupled to the garment, on either side of a spine of the back portion of the- garment, a distance between the spaced-apart elements when coupled to the garment being 50-200 mm.

There is yet further provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a garment including front and back portions each having inner and outer faces, to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, said garment, including: at least one pair of spaced-apart elements attached to said garment to be disposed substantially parallel to each other along at least a section of a spine of a user when the garment is worn, said elements having surfaces projecting from the inner or outer face of the back portion of the garment, so as to prevent vertebrae of the spine from making contact with a surface against which the user wearing the garment abuts.

In an embodiment, said garment is an upper body- garment . In an embodiment, said garment has two substantially parallel pockets each retaining one of the elements.

In an embodiment, said elements are rectangular bodies . In an embodiment, the inner surface of said elements is substantially flat.

The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a rear view of a garment for relieving back pain and discomfort during use by a user, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a lateral view of a spine of a user showing the disposition of the support elements coupled to the garment, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of a top view of a user wearing the garment for relieving back pain and discomfort, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a rear view of a garment 20 for relieving back pain and discomfort, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Garment 20 is typically a vest, shirt, undershirt, sweater, or other upper body garment, with arm holes for a user's arms to pass therethrough. The garment includes front and back portions. Garment 20 is typically an actual garment, and not simply a medical device strapped onto the user (e.g., a therapeutic belt, as described in US 5,122,111 to Sebastian et al . ) . If garment 20 is constructed as a vest, then the front portion is typically composed of two inter-engaging parts for ease of wear.

The inner or outer surfaces of the back portion of garment 20 typically comprise at least two pockets 24 and 26, for retaining elements 30 and 32, and disposed on either side of the "spine" (i.e., vertical center line) of the back portion of the garment. Alternatively, elements 30 and 32 may be directly attached to these locations in the garment, e.g., by sewing, or by any other suitable fasteners. As shown, elements 30 and 32 are spaced apart and aligned substantially parallel to each other on both sides of the user's vertebral column 34, without contacting vertebral column 34. Elements 30 and 32 are positioned to overlie the muscles located alongside vertebral column 34 at different regions of vertebral column 34 e.g., the cervical, lumbar and/or the thoracic areas. For some applications, elements 30 and 32 are 100 - 180 mm (e.g., 140 mm) wide (i.e., in the lateral direction), 9-15 mm (e.g., 12 mm) thick, and 150-220 mm (e.g., 180 mm) in length. For additional applications, e.g., to relieve middle and upper back pain, elements 30 and 32 are of sufficient length in order to entirely overlie the muscles located alongside vertebral column 34, e.g., 50-700 mm, e.g., 50 mm.

Additionally, the inner (skin- facing) sides of the elements are typically essentially devoid of protrusions, and are sufficiently flexible so as to match the natural curves of the user's back in sitting or lying positions. The thickness and length of elements 30 and 32, as well as their location on both sides of vertebral column 34, prevent vertebral column 34 between elements 30 and 32 from having pressure applied thereto by a surface against which the user wearing the garment abuts (e.g., a chair backrest or a mattress), thus reducing the amount of pressure applied via spinous processes 38 to other vertebral-related tissues.

Thus, garment 20 generally assures that the vertebrae between elements 30 and 32 are free of any externally-applied pressure, especially from pressure exerted by a chair backrest or a mattress . Elements 30 and 32 evenly distribute such pressure along the soft tissues surrounding vertebral column 34, thus reducing the different forms of back pain, e.g., lower and middle back pain, while sitting or lying . For applications in which elements 30 and 32 are intended for use on either side of the cervical vertebrae, they are typically integrated into a collar of a shirt or jacket. As appropriate for a given pathology, elements 30 and 32 in this case may be only in the cervical region, or may be coupled to, extensions of, or used in combination with elements at lower sites, such as thoracic or lumbar elements 30 and 32. Reference is made to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a lateral view of vertebral column 34 of the user, showing the disposition of elements 30 and 32 coupled to the garment, as worn by the user, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 further illustrates the natural curves of vertebral column 34 in a standing position, in particular the forward curve of the lumbar vertebral column (normal lordosis) . Fig. 3 shows the user in a sitting position, wearing garment 20, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When the user is in a sitting position, vertebral column 34, including the lumbar region, straightens against a surface, e.g., the backrest 40 of a chair, causing spinous process 38 of a vertebra to contact the surface. Protruding elements 30 and 32, which are coupled to garment 20, distance the user's vertebral column 34 from the chair by a distance L, preventing the pressure applied to spinous process 38 by the chair. Distance L, typically at least several millimeters, is determined by the thickness and material properties of elements 30 and 32,.. as well as by the force with which the user is leaning against backrest 40.

In some embodiments of the present invention, elements 30 and 32 comprise resilient, non-rigid pads, e.g., foam pads made of closed-cell foam-like polyethylene with, for example, a density of 22-30 kg/m3. Alternatively, the pads may be made of any suitable material e.g., rubber, latex or another synthetic material. Additionally, elements 30 and 32 may comprise layers of materials having different degrees of hardness, typically comprising softer layers in the skin-facing side of elements 30 and 32, located in close proximity to the skin when garment 20 is worn by the user. Further additionally, elements 30 and 32 may also be essentially hollow, filled with sand, water, or air.

Garment 20 is a loose-fitting garment that may be off-the-shelf or tailored to specifically fit users of different heights and weights . Additionally, parameters such as the thickness, size and degree of hardness of elements 30 and 32 are generally determined by the user's size and weight, which determine the pressure applied thereon, and by the abutting surface. For example, the user may couple softer elements 30 and 32 to garment 20 when going to sleep on a soft mattress, and use harder elements 30 and 32 during normal daytime activities.

In some embodiments of the present invention, each of elements 30 and 32 comprises a plurality of smaller sized elements, together forming a single element 30 or 32. For example, inserting several smaller sized elements may be placed into a single pocket .

Typically, wearing garment 20 results in partial or complete amelioration of back pain. The following examples are provided in order to illustrate the effects of embodiments of the present invention, observed during testing carried out by the inventor . EXAMPLE 1 A 43 year old male suffering from 24 years of disabling lower back pain and sciatic pain, reported partial, though significant, relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for one month, allowing him to resume his daily activities. EXAMPLE 2

A 41 year old female suffering from 8 months of lower back pain and sciatic pain as a result of a slipped disc, treated with anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy treatment apparently without positive result, reported partial though significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for 6 days. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of two weeks resulted in complete disappearance of pain. EXAMPLE 3

A 21 year old male suffering from acute and intense lower back pain, which developed as a result of standing for long periods of time, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for 3 hours.

EXAMPLE 4 An 8 year old male suffering from two days of acute upper back pain, received chiropractic treatment apparently without positive result, but reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing the garment of the invention for 20 minutes.

EXAMPLE 5

A 39 year old female suffering from chronic disabling upper back pain and occasional episodes of intense acute pain, treated with anti-inflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for half an hour during an episode of acute back pain. An additional 20 minutes of daily use of the garment resulted in complete relief from the chronic back pain as well. EXAMPLE 6

A 15 year old female suffering from a slipped lumbar disc causing sleep deprivation as a result of back pain and radiating leg pain, reported the complete disappearance of pain during the night after wearing garment 20 for several nights. EXAMPLE 7

A 61 year old male treated with anti- inflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment for severe disabling recurrent upper back pain, apparently without positive result, reported a significant improvement after wearing garment 20.

EXAMPLE 8 A 22 year old male suffering from an attack of acute and disabling upper back pain accompanied by respiratory difficulties after lifting a heavy^¬ weight, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for three hours in a lying- position. EXAMPLE 9

A 65 year old female treated with antiinflammatory medication and physical therapy treatment for lower back pain resulting from a slipped disc, apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain after 3 days of wearing garment 20. EXAMPLE 10

A 23 year old female suffering from persistent severe lower back pain and radiating leg pain resulting from slipped discs (L2-3 and L4-5) , received physical therapy treatment apparently without positive result, but reported immediate complete pain relief while wearing the garment of the present invention. EXAMPLE 11

A 37 year old male treated with antiinflammatory medication for disabling persistent lower back pain as a result of a road accident, apparently without long lasting results, reported partial though significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for two weeks, allowing him to resume his daily activities. EXAMPLE 12

A 23 year old pregnant female suffering from severe back pain exacerbated in sitting and lying positions, reported partial though significant relief from pain, particularly in the morning hours, after wearing garment 20 for one week. EXAMPLE 13

A 33 year old male suffering from intractable lower back pain caused by a burst fracture of dorsal vertebra 12, retrolisthesis of dorsal vertebra 12 and pelvic and vertebral fractures after falling from a ladder, reported partial though significant relief from pain, while wearing garment 20 for two weeks.

EXAMPLE 14

A 60 year old male receiving chiropractic treatment for severe sciatic pain, apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for two weeks .

EXAMPLE 15

A 67 year old female suffering from back pain and radiating leg pain caused by a slipped disc (L=4-5) and scoliosis, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for two weeks .

EXAMPLE 16

A 48 year old female suffering from two months of severe lower back pain and radiating leg pain, reported partial though significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for one week. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of two weeks resulted in complete disappearance of pain. EXAMPLE 17

A 50 year old female suffering from three years of sciatic pain caused by sitting for long periods of time, reported partial relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for an hour a day while in a lying position. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of two weeks resulted in significant relief from pain, particularly while wearing garment 20.

EXAMPLE 18

A 53 year old male suffering from an acute attack of lower back pain and radiating leg pain in standing and sitting positions, reported immediate and complete relief from pain while wearing garment 20. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of one week resulted in gradual disappearance of the pain. EXAMPLE 19

A 40 year old male treated with antiinflammatory medication and physical therapy treatment for severe persistent sciatic pain, apparently without positive result, reported partial though significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for one night. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of three weeks resulted in gradual disappearance of the pain. EXAMPLE 20 A 45 year old female treated with antiinflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment for eight weeks of intractable, disabling back pain and radiating leg pain, apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for one week, allowing her to resume her daily activities. EXAMPLE 21

A 45 year old female treated with antiinflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment for occasionally intractable lower back pain caused by a bulging disc (L=4-5) , apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain while wearing garment 20 during the night. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of three weeks resulted in gradual disappearance of the pain.

EXAMPLE 22

A 30 year old female suffering from chronic lower back pain and radiating leg pain with occasional episodes of acute, severe pain, reported immediate partial pain relief after wearing garment

20 for eight hours. Further, more significant pain relief, was felt after continuing to wear garment 20 for four days. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of a month resulted in gradual disappearance of the pain.

EXAMPLE 23

A 55 year old female suffering from a sequestrated disc (L5-S1) causing severe sciatic pain and sleep depravation, treated with chiropractic treatments and epidural blocks apparently without positive result, reported significant gradual relief from the pain while wearing garment 20 during the night for a period of three months . EXAMPLE 24

A 65 year old female suffering from sciatic pain for one year, reported partial pain' relief after wearing garment 20 for four days. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of three weeks resulted in significant pain relief.

EXAMPLE 25 A 50 year old male suffering from a sequestrated disc (L5-S1) causing sciatic pain, exacerbated during physical activities such as walking, reported significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for three days, allowing him to resume his daily activities. Use of garment 20 for an additional time period of six weeks resulted in the complete disappearance of pain. EXAMPLE 26

A 38 year old female suffering from chronic lower back pain, and unable to bend forward due to pain, reported a significant relief from pain as well as regaining of her range of motion after wearing garment 20 for three weeks.

EXAMPLE 27

A 66 year old female treated with antiinflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment, apparently without positive result, reported complete relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for two weeks while sleeping. EXAMPLE 28

A 22 year old female suffering from 10 months of persistent lower back pain and radiating leg pain, caused by a herniated disc (L4-5) and mild chronic radiculopathy, treated with antiinflammatory medication and physical therapy apparently without positive result, reported the complete disappearance of pain after wearing garment 20 for one night.

EXAMPLE 29

A 68 year old male suffering from severe lower back pain and radiating leg pain caused by a herniated disc (L4-5) , treated with antiinflammatory medication and chiropractic treatment apparently without positive result, reported partial thought significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for three weeks.

EXAMPLE 30

A 54 year old female received chiropractic treatment for lower back pain felt mainly while sleeping, apparently without positive result, reported significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 comprising hard elements.

EXAMPLE 31

A 63 year old female suffering from months of severe lower back pain caused by a herniated disc (L5-S1) , reported only mild pain relief after wearing garment 20 for two weeks.

EXAMPLE 32

An 82 year old female suffering from persistent back pain reported relief from pain only in lying positions when wearing garment 20.

EXAMPLE 33

A 37 year old male, suffering from four months of persistent sciatic pain caused by a slipped disc (L3-4) , did not report significant pain relief after wearing garment 20.

EXAMPLE 34 A 74 year old female suffering from three months of sciatic pain and numbness caused by herniated discs (L4-5 and L5-S1) , did not report pain relief after wearing garment 20. EXAMPLE 35

A 65 year old female suffering from slipped discs (L3-4 and L4-5) causing two months of intractable lower back pain and radiating leg pain, treated with anti-inflammatory medication apparently without positive result, reported a significant relief from pain after wearing garment 20 for a week.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof that are not in the prior art, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

1. A garment to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, the garment comprising: front and back portions; and at least one pair of spaced-apart elements couplable to the back portion of the garment, disposed substantially parallel to each other when coupled to the garment, on either side of a set of one or more vertebrae of a spine of a back of the user, such that: when the garment is squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements prevent pressure from being applied by the hard surface on the one or more vertebrae of the spine of the user, and when the garment is not squeezed between a hard surface and the back of the user, the elements substantially do not press against the back of the user.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of each of the spaced-apart elements is 9- 15 mm.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein a length of each of the spaced-apart elements is 150- 220 mm.

4. The garment according to claim 1, wherein a width of each of the spaced-apart elements is 100- 180 mm.

5. The garment according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the spaced-apart elements when coupled to the garment is 50-200 mm.

6. The garment according to claim 1, wherein each of the spaced-apart elements is trapezoid-shaped.

7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment has two substantially parallel pockets, each shaped to retain one of the elements.

8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein at least a skin-facing side of each of the elements is devoid of protrusions that apply pressure to a back of the user.

9. The garment according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the garment comprises an upper body garment and shaped to define arm holes.

10. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the upper body garment is configured as a loose-fitting upper body garment that is devoid of securing portions that secure the spaced-apart elements to a back of the user.

11. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the upper body garment is a vest.

12. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the elements are coupled to a collar portion of the upper body garment.

13. The garment according to claim 9, wherein the elements are coupled to a site of the garment selected from the group consisting of: a thoracic portion of the garment, and a lumbar portion of the garment .

14. A garment to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, the garment comprising: front and back portions; and at least one pair of spaced-apart elements that are 9-15 mm thick, couplable to the back portion of the garment, disposed substantially parallel to each other when coupled to the garment, on either side of a spine of the back portion of the garment, a distance between the spaced-apart elements when coupled to the garment being 50-200 mm.

15. A garment including front and back portions each having inner and outer faces, to be worn by a user for ameliorating or relieving back discomfort, said garment, comprising: at least one pair of spaced-apart elements attached to said garment to be disposed substantially parallel to each other along at least a section of a spine of a user when the garment is worn, said elements having surfaces projecting from the inner or outer face of the back portion of the garment, so as to prevent vertebrae of the spine from making contact with a surface against which the user wearing the garment abuts.

16. The garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein said garment is an upper body garment .

17. The garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein said garment has two substantially parallel pockets each retaining one of the elements.

18. The garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein said elements are rectangular bodies .

19. The garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner surface of said elements is substantially flat.