MR. RICHARD JOHN WALDRON, PT
Restorative Service Providers at D St, San Rafael, CA

5702333, Dec 30, 1997

Feb 9, 1996

8/599172

David W. Waldron - Buffalo NY
Richard J. Waldron - Mill Valley CA

A63B 2302

482131

An exercise method beneficially and safely affects the lumbar spine and muscles of a human. The method uses a simple exercise device having a substantially rigid body with top and bottom surfaces, and a front and back. The top surface is configured and dimensioned to safely passively extend a human's lumbar spine when the human lays with her or his stomach on the top surface (e. g. by providing a concave surface with a total angle of concavity of about 10. degree. -30. degree. , preferably about 12. degree. -17. degree. ). The bottom surface of the device is configured and dimensioned to allow rocking action in a dimension extending from the front to the rear of the device, and may include two or more spaced rocking strips with front and rear stops. In addition to passively laying on the top surface, the human may occasionally contract her or his lumbar muscles and rock her or his body toward and away from the front of the device to effect rocking action of the device, which assists in strengthening the lumbar musculature and promoting stability of her or his back. The method of use also may include the user pushing on the surface on which the device bottom surface is positioned with her or his arms to move her or his chest away from the top surface of the device while the thighs remain in contact with the top surface, and hold that position for at least a few seconds, so as to passively stretch the front of her or his spine.