Systems and methods for exerting forces on a body including a support structure defining a space and a plurality of surface contacting units that are configured to exert force upon the body such that the weight is distributed away from the primary weight bearing regions to non weight bearing regions of the body or vice versa without exerting significant shear or frictional forces on surfaces of the body. The systems and methods may be used to exert forces to cause fluid shift in different compartments of the body. Applications include treatment of various disease conditions including pressure ulcers heart failure high blood pressure preeclampsia osteoporosis injuries of spine and to slow microgravity induced bone and muscle loss. The systems and methods may be used to simulate gravity weightlessness or buoyancy in rehabilitation medicine. The system may include a chair bed a wearable suit or an exoskeleton.
