Lower Lateral Alignment Device (“LAD”)

Description

LLAD (Lower Lateral Alignment Device).

LLAD (pronounced as “LAD“) was designed to assist its user in passively stretching muscles of the Pelvis/Hip and Lower Legs (including Piriformis which causes Sciatica/Piriformis Syndrome), which creates abduction and lateral rotation of the leg at the hip and foot at the ankle. This device is to be used when seated.

How to Use “LAD”

LLAD can easily be set up to the desired passive stretch required by the user (by placing the footrest at an angle mounted on the base that is comfortable for the user), a place where you sit mostly (workplace or home), align outer edge of the foot with the outer edge of the footrest and relax. LLAD should be used for 15 minutes two to three times a day or as long as the user desires. Fifteen (15) minutes is recommended because some users will have tighter muscles than others, depending on how they use their body.

The different positions of the angled footrest when mounted to the base, increase or decrease the passive stretches of the lower lateral rotator muscles. With continuous use of this device, LLAD can help to prevent serious muscle imbalances, help to correct muscle imbalances, help to maintain healthy muscles, and promote a proper posture.

Everyone develops tight pelvic/hip muscles, tight IT (iliotibial) bands, and tight lower leg muscles because of how we naturally use our bodies, which in turn causes a variety of structural problems. Whether we stand, walk, run, bike, dance, jump, practice yoga, or just hang out on your couch, these actions are all associated with abduction of the thigh at the hip, lateral rotation of the thigh at the hip, and eversion/abduction of the foot at the ankle.

Due to the repetition of these actions, the muscles or muscle fibers that perform these tasks become short/overly contracted and pull on the part of the skeletal body that it is attached to (pelvis, knees lower back). These imbalances can cause problems that can lead to surgeries.

Stretching is very important when correcting muscle imbalances in our bodies. The stretches performed can be passive or active. Various stretches have been developed and designed to stretch different muscles in our bodies for example:

*Yoga (active stretches designed to be done by the individual)

*Muscle manipulation/massage (muscles passively stretched by someone other than the individual)

There are also devices invented and designed to help us stretch muscles, but they all fail effectively to stretch the abductors and lateral rotators of the thigh at the hip and abduction/eversion of the foot at the ankle passively.

The muscles of the lower body that are stretched by this device are:

 

Lateral Rotators Of The Thigh At The Hip  Abductors Of The Thigh At The Hip

Gluteus Maximus                                           Gluteus Medius

Piriformis                                                     Gluteus Minimus

Gemelius Superior                                        Tensor Fasciae Latae (TFL)

Gemelius Inferior                                          Sartorius

Obturator Internus                                         Piriformis

Obturator Externus                                        Gemelius Superior (w/flexed hip)

Quadratus Femoris                                        Gemelius Inferior (w/flexed hip)

Sartorius                                                       Obturator Internus (w/flexed hip)

Biceps Femoris (long head)

Gluteus Medius (posterior portion)

Iliopsoas