Design of an innovative pneumatic massage device for low back pain treatment

"80% of healthy world population, with no sex distinction, suffers low back pain. Massage is an alternative method to pharmaceutical and surgical treatment for the low back pain. Massage is an hygienic and therapeutic method consisting of mechanical manipulation of human body surfaces. Traditionally, massage is practised manually; nevertheless several massage devices device can be found on market, sorted as regards method by which massage is exerted. Some robotic massage devicis can be found in scientific literature. This paper presents a new massage device for lumbar region in order to treat the low back pain. Massage is practised by air pocket actuators made of silicon rubber. The design of air pocket actuators, the design of the massage device frame and the control system design are described. Finally, experimental test on actuators and on the massage device prototype are described."