the present invention will now be described in the context of its presently preferred embodiment as illustrated in the drawings . those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many obvious modifications may be made thereto with departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims . referring to fig1 - 9 , in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention , exercise device 10 comprises a platform 12 on which a user of the device will lay . the platform 12 is padded and covered with a vinyl material for the comfort of the users . a rotating handle bar 14 is slidingly connected to the bottom of the platform 12 at its top end 13 . the device 10 further comprises a plurality of legs 16 . the legs 16 are fixed to the bottom of platform 12 in a conventional manner near its top end 13 . the legs 16 are sized to provide the proper angle to the horizontal for the stretching exercises described below . as illustrated in fig7 , the bottom of platform 12 is provided with a first set of elongated tracks 18 . as shown in fig3 , the rotating handle bar 14 is connected to a second set of elongated metal tracks 20 . the tracks 20 are adapted to be slidingly received in tracks 18 . as described below , when the user moves the bar 14 , the tracks 20 will be extended in a longitudinal direction into and out of tracks 18 . a ring pin 15 on the rotating handle bar 14 allows the user to rotate the handle bar 14 to different positions with respect to the top of the platform 12 . as explained below , changing the angle of the rotating handle bar 14 with respect to the platform 12 allows the user to set the difficulty level for the stretching exercises . the method of using the device 10 will now be described . first , the user sets the rotating handle bar 14 to the position with respect to platform 12 that provides the easiest movement . this is accomplished by removing the ring pin 15 , turning the bar 14 to a first mark 17 , and reinserting the ring pin 15 . as partially illustrated in fig8 , the user lies on the platform 12 on her back with her head at the top end 13 of the platform 12 . she flexes her knees to the chest and positions the feet directly under her buttocks . the user then does three stretches each of which is progressively more strenuous . the stretches target the muscle groups from the outer edge of the body to progressively closer to the midline of the spine . for the easiest stretch , the user places her or his hands on outer stripes 19 on rotating handle bar 14 . she extends the arms above the head and then repeats the exercise and thereby extends rotating handle bar 14 by means of the tracks 20 extending out of the tracks 18 . the user then locks the elbows , slowly counts to about 60 or more , and then retracts the bar 14 into the original position . this position — with the hands on the outer stripes 19 — stretches and tones the muscles of the chest as well as the muscles along the outer sides of the body which including the chest , trunk and arms . next , she places her hands on middle stripes 21 and repeats the same exercise . this stretches and tones the muscle groups between the outer edge of the body and midline of the spine including the muscle around the shoulder blades and shoulder joints . finally , the user places both hands on inner stripe 22 . this stretches the key muscle groups along the spine itself including those in the mid and upper back , the lower neck , and across the traps . the user is able to completely stretch and tone all of the joints and muscle groups across the chest , in the shoulders and rotator cuff , the traps and upper shoulders , the lower neck , the upper and mid back , as well as the key groups between the shoulder blades in a relatively short period of time . thus , the key muscle groups that cause stress , back pain , neck pain , and tension headaches are stretched out . consequently , the user &# 39 ; s stress related symptoms will be lessened and / or preferably alleviated through repetition of these exercises . once the user is comfortable using the device 10 of the present invention in the easiest setting , she or he can set the handle bar 14 through the adjustment of the ring pin 15 to a setting which causes more stretching by rotating bar 14 further from the top of platform 12 . the increased setting puts more external rotation into the shoulder girdle which dramatically increases the stretch benefit when extending overhead . after the user is comfortable with an increase , she or he can progress to a more advanced setting by rotating the bar 14 further from the top of platform 12 . this is the most challenging and therapeutic of all . when the user has reached the point of maximum stretch and flexibility , which will be different for everyone , she or he can gain more benefit by adding resistance to the regimen described above . resistance adds the benefits of increased muscle tone , stamina , and strength . as illustrated in fig9 , resistance is added by attaching a stretchable band 24 between the rotating bar 14 and the bottom of the platform 12 . after the resistance is added , the same exercises as described above are repeated . more bands or stronger bands may be added to further increase resistance . the resistance bands take the user to a new level by giving strength and endurance , as well as flexibility . a muscle stretching device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment is depicted generally in fig1 . as shown in the figure , the device of this embodiment comprises a platform assembly 100 comprising a platform 110 , a base assembly 200 , and a handlebar assembly 280 . platform 110 preferably includes a padded material and a vinyl covering for user comfort . platform 110 includes a first section 112 where the user places his head and a second section 116 , where the user places his torso and legs . concave transition 114 connects first section 112 and second section 116 . concave transition 114 is best seen in fig1 a , which is a top plan view of the exercise device of the second embodiment . as fig1 a indicates , first section 112 comprises straight side portions of platform 110 as does second section 116 . as shown in fig1 a , first section 112 is generally wider than second section 116 . concave transition 114 comprises two concave side portions of platform 110 , each of which connect the first section 112 and second section 116 on each side of platform 110 . in use , the user places his shoulders at concave transition 114 , such that they roll back and dip below the top surface of platform 110 when extending handlebar 290 away from platform 110 . the ability to roll back and dip the shoulders in this manner provides a more therapeutically effective stretch . however , concave transition 114 can have a number of different specific curvatures that provide this functionality . base assembly 200 is collapsible and comprises two legs 210 , which are attached at an end of platform 110 near second section 116 and away from handlebar assembly 280 . legs 210 are connected by cross - member 240 . as best seen in fig1 , legs 210 are pivotally connected to the lower surface of platform 110 by a bracket assembly 220 . the pivotal connection allows legs 210 to open and close , enabling the user to collapse the device for ease of storage . handlebar assembly 280 comprises a handlebar 290 attached to a pair of handle brackets 300 . handle brackets 300 are connected to a handlebar housing 310 which is adapted to rotate to a plurality of preselected positions , as will be described in greater detail below . handlebar assembly 280 also includes a sliding engagement member 350 , preferably a rectangular metal glide , which allows the user to slide handlebar 290 away from platform 110 in a direction parallel to the surface of platform 110 . sliding engagement member 350 has upper and lower surfaces . the upper surface ( not shown ) is preferably smooth . however , the lower surface can be smooth , as in fig1 , or corrugated , as in fig1 . as best seen in fig1 , the device of the second embodiment includes a guide assembly 400 which cooperates with sliding engagement member 350 to enable handlebar 290 to slidably move with respect to platform 110 . guide assembly 400 comprises a frame 410 having a pair of sidewalls 420 . in the embodiment of fig1 , the sidewalls 420 are connected by an integral flat portion 422 that is secured to the lower surface of platform 110 by suitable fasteners . a plurality of roller assemblies 430 are connected to each side wall . each roller assembly comprises two rollers 432 connected by a roller shaft 434 . rollers 432 are spaced apart from integral flat portion 422 and rotate freely within frame 410 . sliding engagement member 350 is disposed within frame 410 such that its lower surface rests on rollers 432 beneath the integral flat portion 422 and the lower surface of platform 110 . the engagement of sliding engagement member 350 with rollers 432 enables the handlebar assembly 280 to slide in and out of frame 410 , and thereby slideably move with respect to platform 110 . thus , handlebar 290 can be extended from platform 110 in a controlled manner , as it is restrained by the sliding engagement member 350 and roller assemblies 430 such that it can only move in a direction that is parallel to platform 110 . fig1 depicts the device of the second embodiment with the handlebar assembly 280 and cross - member 240 removed . as shown in the figure , the device of the second embodiment further comprises a handlebar extension restraint 460 for restraining the movement of handlebar assembly 280 as the user slides it away from platform 110 . handlebar extension restraint 460 prevents the user from sliding handlebar assembly 280 entirely out of guide assembly 400 . preferably , handlebar extension restraint 460 comprises two rectangular blocks secured to integral flat portion 422 and the lower surface of platform 110 by suitable fasteners such as t - nuts . handlebar restraint 460 has two faces 460 a ( one of which is shown ) which are used to abuttingly restrain the movement of sliding engagement member 350 . a variety of materials can be used for the handlebar restraint , however , an acetyl copolymer such as delrin ®, a registered trademark of dupont corporation , is especially preferred . to prevent it from being pulled out of guide assembly 400 , sliding engagement member 350 includes an extension restraining piece 352 on its free end away from handlebar assembly 280 . preferably , restraining piece 352 is a rectangular block of delrin ®, secured at the end of sliding engagement member 350 and facing towards the lower surface of platform 110 . restraining piece 352 and handlebar extension restraint 460 are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user slides handlebar assembly 280 away from platform 110 , restraining piece 352 will eventually abut handlebar restraint 460 at face 460 a , thereby preventing further movement of handlebar assembly 280 away from platform 110 . at this point , handlebar assembly 280 is fully extended from platform 110 , as depicted in fig1 . in like fashion , handlebar retraction restraint 450 is attached to lower surface of platform 110 away from handlebar assembly 280 . retraction restraint is preferably a rectangular block of delrin ®. restraining piece 352 and retraction restraint 450 are preferably of sufficient thickness that when the user retracts handlebar assembly 280 , restraining piece 352 abuts against retraction restraint 450 , thereby preventing further retraction . at this point , handlebar assembly 280 is in its fully retracted position . according to the second embodiment , the exercise device is collapsible . to provide collapsibility , base assembly 200 includes a pair of arms 250 , each of which is pivotally connected at one end to frame 410 of guide assembly 400 located on the lower surface of the platform 110 . any known connector which provides a pivotal connection between arms 250 and frame 410 can be used , such as bolts 245 . arms 250 are also connected to bearing carrier 260 via nipples 270 , as shown in fig1 and 13 . arms 250 include an aperture designed to accommodate nipples 270 attached to bearing carriers 260 . arms 250 are thereby able to rotate about nipples 270 . each leg 210 of base assembly 200 is inserted through a corresponding bearing carrier 260 , such that each bearing carrier 260 can slide along its corresponding leg 210 . each nipple 270 is secured within a corresponding end of cross - member 240 by a known connector , such as a nut and bolt or a clevis pin and retainer . the free end of each leg 210 is also provided with a foot 212 which restrains the movement of bearing carrier 260 . as a result of the foregoing configuration , when the user pushes cross - member 240 away from handlebar assembly 280 , bearing carriers 260 slide along their respective legs 210 in the same direction . as a result , arms 250 rotate away from handlebar assembly 280 and eventually abut the lower surface of platform . frame 410 includes notch 412 which is sized to accommodate cross - member 240 . once arms 250 have fully rotated away from handlebar assembly 280 , cross - member 240 is positioned within notch 412 , at which point the device is in its compact position and ready for storage . when in use , platform 110 is preferably angled with respect to the legs 210 and the surface on which the device is placed such that the first section 112 is elevated above second section 116 . a variety of angles ( θ ) between platform 110 and legs 210 can be used . an angle of 0 to 20 degrees is preferred . an angle of 5 to 15 degrees is especially preferred and an angle of 10 degrees is most preferred . the angle is also preferably adjustable between angles of 0 to 20 degrees , and more preferably between 0 and 15 degrees , with an adjustable angle of 0 to 10 degrees being especially preferred . as mentioned previously , the device of the second embodiment is designed to enable the user to rotate handlebar 290 to several pre - selected positions with respect to the plane defined by the lower surface of platform 110 . an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the handlebar assembly is provided in fig1 . handlebar 290 comprises three pieces , a center piece 294 a and right and left pieces 293 a and 295 a ( not shown in fig1 ) which are coupled to center piece 294 a , preferably by screwing or snapping thereto . handle brackets 300 are attached at one end to handle bar center piece 294 a and at an opposite end to an inner tube 330 by fastener 331 . it is especially preferred that center piece 294 a have internally threaded ends which are configured for threaded engagement with complementary external threads on right and left pieces 293 a and 295 a . center piece 294 a also includes a pair of hubs 298 on each of its ends . bracket apertures 301 are positioned on hubs 298 such that brackets 300 are fixed between right piece 293 a and center piece 294 a and between left piece 295 a and center piece 294 a when the right and left pieces are coupled to center piece 294 a . center piece 294 a is inserted into foam grip 294 , and right and left pieces 293 a and 295 a are inserted into foam grip pairs 292 and 293 and 295 and 296 and 296 , respectively . a hollow outer tube 320 is fixedly attached to an outer tube bracket 284 connected to the bottom surface of sliding engagement member 350 . the outer tube 320 has three aperture pairs 322 a - c ( only one pair of which is shown in fig1 ). the apertures comprising each pair are axially spaced apart from one another proximate opposite ends of outer tube 320 . each aperture pair 322 a - c is spaced apart from the other pairs around the circumference of outer tube 320 . the positions of the three aperture pairs 322 a - c define the pre - selected rotational positions of the handlebar 290 . again referring to fig1 , inner tube 320 is disposed in the hollow outer tube 320 . inner tube 320 contains a single pair of apertures 332 which are alignable with each of the aperture pairs 322 a - c of outer tube 320 . inner tube 320 has a longitudinal axis which is the axis of rotation of handlebar 290 . handlebar housing 320 comprises upper half 320 b and lower half 320 a , which are secured to one another , preferably by screws , so as to partially contain handle brackets 300 , and the apertured portions of outer tube 320 . a locking member 340 , preferably a spring lock , is provided for releasable insertion through apertures 332 and aperture pairs 322 a - c . locking member 340 has a locking position and a release position . in the locking position , locking member 340 is inserted through apertures 332 and one of aperture pairs 322 a - c . in the release position , it is withdrawn from apertures 332 and aperture pairs 322 a - c . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 , locking member 340 has a c - shape with a pair of ends 344 connected by a center portion 343 . springs 342 are provided to bias locking member 340 in a locking position towards outer tube 320 . upper half 320 b and lower half 320 a of handlebar housing 320 each include complementary pairs of molded in spring retainer guides 341 for retaining locking member 340 and springs 340 within housing 320 . fig1 , 10 a and 11 show the handlebar assembly in its assembled state . aperture pairs 322 a - c define three rotational positions located at about 10 degrees below , 40 degrees above and 90 degrees above the plane defined by the lower surface of platform 110 . to adjust the position of handlebar 290 , the user grips center portion 343 of locking member 340 thereby pulling ends 344 out of inner tube aperture pair 332 and one of outer tube aperture pairs 322 a - c . while gripping locking member 340 , the user rotates handlebar 290 , handle brackets 300 , locking member 340 , housing 310 and inner tube 330 about the longitudinal axis of inner tube 330 . because it is fixedly attached to the bottom of sliding engagement member 350 , outer tube 320 remains stationary during this rotation . once the user reaches the desired rotation corresponding to one pair of aperture pairs 322 a , b or c , he releases locking member 340 . the biasing action of springs 342 then inserts ends 344 through one of the aperture pairs 322 a , b or c of outer tube 320 and through aperture pair 332 of inner tube 330 , thereby locking the handlebar 290 into place at the desired rotational position . the muscle stretching device of this embodiment is preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands positioned at multiple widths from one another on handlebar 290 . stretching at wider hand spacings focuses on the most lateral muscles , including the triceps , latissimus , and lateral rotator cuff muscles . stretching at narrower hand spacings focuses on the spinal and para - spinal muscles of the lower cervical spine and the entire thoracic spine . intermediate spacings focus on muscles lying between the foregoing positions along the posterior of the body , including the trapezius and the scapular muscles , as well as muscles located along the anterior of the body such as the pectoralis and the anterior chest muscles . the muscle stretching device of this embodiment is more preferably designed to facilitate stretching with the hands placed at three widths from one another . referring again to fig1 , handlebar 290 is provided with a plurality of foam segments 292 - 296 . the foam segments allow the user to repeatably space his hands at fixed distances from the center of handlebar 290 when using the device , thereby providing for more consistent stretching and enhanced therapeutic effect . for example , the user can use foam segments 292 and 296 to position the hands for a wide stretch , foam segments 293 and 295 for an intermediate stretch , and foam segment 294 for a narrow stretch . the widths and positions of the foam segments 292 - 296 are preferably designed to focus the user &# 39 ; s stretching on the three sets of muscle groups identified above for wider , narrower and intermediate hand spacings . a preferred embodiment of a method for stretching muscles using the device of the second embodiment will now be described . according to this embodiment , the user first adjusts handlebar 290 to the desired rotational position as described above . if more strenuous stretching is desired , handlebar 290 is rotated below the plane defined by the lower surface of platform 110 . referring to fig1 , this corresponds to a counterclockwise rotation of handlebar 290 . if less strenuous exercise is desired , handlebar 290 is rotated above the plane . the user then lies on platform 110 with her head positioned in first section 112 and her feet located at the opposite end in second section 116 . the user &# 39 ; s shoulders should be positioned at concave transition section 114 such that they can roll back and dip below the plane of the top surface of platform 110 when extending handlebar 290 . as with the embodiment of the method described previously , the user flexes her knees to her chest and positions her feet directly below her buttocks to take the forward lumbar curve out of the lower back . the user then grips the foam segments 292 - 296 to obtain the desired spacing of the hands with respect to the center of handlebar 290 . for easier stretching , the outermost foam segments 292 and 296 are gripped . for the most difficult stretching , center foam segment 294 is gripped with both hands . it is especially preferred that the user perform three sets of progressively more strenuous stretches , starting from the outside of handlebar 290 and working inward . the particular muscles that are targeted by using the various positions defined by foam segments 292 - 296 on handlebar 290 are described above . while gripping handlebar 290 , the user extends her arms away from platform 110 until fully extended and preferably holds them in the fully extended position for at least 60 seconds . she then retracts her arms to the starting position . it is especially preferred to hold the stretch for at least 60 seconds at each of the three hand spacings defined by foam segments 292 - 296 . the user can optionally add additional resistance to the stretching device of the second embodiment by attaching a resistance increasing device such as a stretchable band , an elongated spring or a bungee cord to it . as shown in fig1 and 13 , two - cross bars 440 a ( not visible in fig1 ) and 440 b are preferably provided and attached to sidewalls 420 of frame 410 . the user can attach the ends of such a resistance increasing device to one of the cross - bars 440 a and 440 b and to mounting bar 353 which is secured to the bottom of glide 350 proximate handlebar housing 310 . in addition , the user can wrap a resistance increasing device around cross - bar 440 a or 440 b and attach both ends of the resistance increasing device to mounting bar 353 . it is especially preferred to connect a linear resistance spring to mounting bar 353 and cross - bar 440 b . if further increased resistance is desired , it is particularly preferred to wrap a linear resistance spring around cross - bar 440 a and connect both ends of the spring to mounting bar 353 . the device and method described above stretches the chest muscles , tightens the mid back muscles , lifts the chest and pulls the shoulders up and back . the result is preferably improved posture . by straightening the posture , the head is balanced over the shoulders , as it should be and thereby taking all the aggravating stress of the neck and upper back muscles away from the person . the embodiments described above are exemplary embodiments of the present invention . those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses of , and departures from , the above - described embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein . accordingly , the present invention is to be defined solely by the scope of the following claims .
a device and method for stretching , toning and strengthening the chest , shoulder , neck and upper back muscles of a patient thereby relieving pain and improving posture . typically the patient is suffering from tension related muscle problems . the device and method are used to facilitate therapeutic treatment of the muscle problems by progressively stretching the muscles and thereby relieving the muscle problems .