Sling for massage ball
A method for self-administering physical therapy is disclosed. The method may comprise inserting a massage element (e.g., a massage ball) into a receiving space of a sling. Thereafter, the user may use the sling to position the massage element adjacent to a portion of a body (e.g., a dorsal or distal portion of the user's body) that would be difficult to reach or access without the use of the sling.
1 . A method comprising:
inserting a massage element into a receiving space of a sling, wherein:
the sling comprises a pouch, a first strap, a second strap, and an elongated support,
the pouch comprises an inner surface, an outer surface, and a rim, the inner surface and the rim defining the receiving space,
the elongated support comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first loop located at the first end, and a second loop located at the second end, wherein the elongated support extends along the outer surface from a first portion of the rim to a second portion of the rim opposite the first portion of the rim;
the first strap is connected to the first loop;
the second strap is connected to the second loop, and
the massage element comprises a motor that generates a vibration in response to an input;
providing the input to trigger the motor to generate the vibration; and
positioning the massage element adjacent to a portion of a body.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the motor of the massage element further comprises a shaft and an eccentric weight fixedly connected to the shaft; and
the motor generates the vibration by rotating the shaft.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning comprises pulling the first strap and the second strap to press the massage element against the portion of the body.
4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising manipulating, after the pulling, the first strap and the second strap to move the massage element along the portion of the body.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the massage element is spherical in shape; and
the pouch is hemispherical in shape.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a mesh material.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the first strap and the second strap comprise a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an engagement mechanism located at the first end; and
the engagement mechanism of the first strap is connected to the first loop and the engagement mechanism of the second strap is connected to the second.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein:
the engagement mechanism of the first strap is a hook that engages the first loop; and
the engagement mechanism of the second strap is a hook that engages the second loop.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the positioning comprises pulling the first strap and the second strap to press the massage element against the portion of the body; and
the portion of the body is a dorsal portion of the body.
10 . A method comprising:
connecting a massage element to a first strap and a second strap by inserting the massage element into a pouch that is connected to the first strap and the second strap, wherein the pouch comprises a rim, an outer surface, and an elongated support, the elongated support comprises a first end and a second end opposite the first end and extends across the outer surface of the pouch to bisect the outer surface of the pouch, the first end of the elongated support comprises a first loop, the second end of the elongated support comprises a second loop, the first strap engages the first loop, and the second strap engages the second loop;
providing a first input to the massage element;
generating, by the massage element, heat in response to the first input;
positioning the massage element in contact with a portion of a body;
pulling on the first strap and the second strap to press the massage element against the portion of the body; and
manipulating, after the pulling, the first strap and the second strap to move the massage element along the portion of the body.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
providing a second input to the massage element; and
generating, by the massage element, vibration in response to the second input.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein:
the massage element comprises a motor, a shaft operatively connected to the motor, and a weight asymmetrically affixed to the shaft; and
the motor selectively rotates the shaft to generate the vibration in response to the second input.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the massage element is spherical in shape;
the pouch comprises a hemisphere; and
the hemisphere defines a receiving space into which the massage element is inserted.
14 . An apparatus comprising:
a pouch formed from a flexible material, the pouch comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, and an edge, wherein the inner surface and the edge define a receiving space;
an elongated support comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first loop located at the first end, and a second loop located at the second end, wherein the elongated support extends along the outer surface from a first portion of the edge to a second portion of the edge opposite the first portion of the edge;
a first strap engaging the first loop of the elongated support;
a second strap engaging the second loop of the elongated support; and
a spherical massage implement positioned within the receiving space, the spherical massage implement comprising a motor, a shaft operatively connected to the motor, and a weight asymmetrically secured to the shaft, wherein the motor selectively rotates the shaft to generate a vibration.
15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:
a diameter of the pouch is between about 3 inches and about 4 inches; and
a diameter of the spherical massage implement is between about 3 inches and about 4 inches.
16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein:
a diameter of the pouch is between about 4 inches and about 5 inches; and
a diameter of the spherical massage implement is between about 4 inches and about 5 inches.