Frozen shoulder sucks!

• No one knows what causes it – in fact – “Most often, frozen shoulder occurs with no associated injury or discernible cause”
• We do know that frozen shoulder results from inflammation, scarring, thickening and shrinkage of the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint.
• An injury to the shoulder can lead to frozen shoulder.
• No one can tell you how long it will last.

The Mayo clinic reports:

Your risk of developing frozen shoulder increases if you’ve recently had to have your arm in a sling for several weeks, or if you have had surgery in which your arm was immobilized in a specific position for a prolonged period.

How to Heal a Frozen Shoulder

That’s a million dollar statement – if you knew how to do it.  In truth, typical treatment involves:  the use of anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy.  Physcial therapy can involve several different modalities:

• Ice packs
• Electric stimulation
• Range of motion stretches
• strengthening exercises

If none of this helps, you may be a candidate for Manipulation Under Anesthesia.

Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)

Sounds sanitary – doesn’t it?  What it really means is that you’re put to sleep and then your shoulder joint is forced to move in various positions:  flexion, external rotation, internal rotation.  This manipulation stretches and tears the scar tissue that has developed in the joint capsule.  Oh – they put you to sleep because of the pain involved.

Video of Shoulder Joint Manipulation Under Anestesia

Click here to view the embedded video.

Notes from MUA video

As you can see, the doctor performing the manipulation in the video is moving the patients shoulder in the same way a physical therapist does during physical therapy.  The only difference is the doctor is not inhibited by the patients pain level.

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Post tags: external rotation, frozen shoulder, internal rotation, manipulation

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Shoulder Performance & Rehab becomes Shoulder Rehab & Performance

If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you may have noticed the name has changed – okay, really it was just rearranged.  A couple of months ago, I installed a “plugin” to add some additional features to this blog.  That didn’t work out as I had planned – BUT – by the time I discovered the problem, nearly all of my Page and Post titles had been altered and caused a drastic drop in our Google ranking and and our blog traffic.

Since we had fallen off the map, so to speak, we thought it would be a good time to change the name.  Not a big change, but one that should help us in search rankings.

4 Powerful Rotater Reviews

Our shoulder rehab device – the Rotater – is receiving the attention of notable professionals in the fields of both shoulder rehabilitation and sports medicine / performance.

Patrick Ward - Sports Performance Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist

Who is Patrick Ward?

• he has a Masters Degree in Exercise Science
• he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
• he is a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
• he is a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) through National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
• he is a USA Weightlifting-Certified Club Coach
• he is also a licensed massage therapist in the State of Arizona
• he specializes in clinical, therapeutic and sports massage and is certified in Active Release Techniques (ART) for the Upper Extremity
• he is the Co-founder of Optimum Sports Performance

Patrick Ward had this to say in his Review of the Rotater:

The Rotater is versatile in that it allows the client to move in a variety of planes in order to obtain a stretch.  It is very comfortable to use and the 6-holes easily allow you to adjust the wrist strap or thera-tubing for any size arm.  Because of the design, clients can comfortably attain a stretch position and hold for extended period of time with ease.

and he closes with this final thought:

If you work with people who need help with either external or internal shoulder flexibility or strength, you may want to consider The Rotater for your clinic or gym.  Or, as a supplemental piece for the clients to keep at home as part of their self-care program.

Mike Young - Sports Medicine Professional

Who is Mike Young?

• he is the founder and owner of ELITETRACK
• he is the co-owner of Human Performance Consulting
• he is the coach of the HPC Elite Track Team
• he has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology
• he has a Master of Science degree in Athletic Administration
• he has a PhD in Biomechanics
• he has been on 6 NCAA National Championships staffs
• he is a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
• he is a certified USA Weightlifting Club Coach

Mike Young recently wrote an article about the Rotater and Shoulder Injuries where he says:

It’s use is not super intuitive at first. I had to look at the pictures but when I did I was actually quite impressed with what you could do with it.

and…

…I think it’s one of the few products I think could be valuable for increasing the performance and decreasing the likelihood of injury in athletes that need to do high velocity, ballistic overhead movements.

he concludes with:

Disclaimer: The Rotater was sent to me for review and testing but they did not request any type of review or endorsement in return. I only wrote this review because I thought it might be useful for some of the overhead athletes on the site.

All Things Strength

Scott Bird is the owner of the website Straight To The Bar

Scott (and his father) recently reviewed the Rotater, here are their thoughts on the Rotater:

The Rotater is a brilliant thing.

Scott’s father tried the Rotater and says:

The results of my test of the Rotater are surprising, amazing, & in my case stimulating.

Scott’s closing remarks:

If you’ve ever experienced shoulder pain, you’ll understand just how frustrating it can be. Apart from the pain itself, it’s perhaps the fact that it prevents you from doing your normal exercise routine that’s the biggest source of aggravation.

In my case – and in my dad’s – The Rotater ended that frustration. An incredible feeling.

Donnie Kiernan of Combat Fitness Blog posted this video Review of the Rotater

Click here to view the embedded video.

I would like to thank Patrick Ward, Mike Young, Scott Bird and Donnie Keirnan for taking the time to express their thoughts about the Rotater.

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Post tags: external rotation, internal rotation, shoulder exercises, shoulder injury, shoulder rehab, shoulder stretching, the Rotater, throwing

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…and sometimes a lot less!

Let’s get something straight – I’m not:

• a shoulder expert / guru
• a physical therapist
• an athletic trainer
• a physician

…please note the disclaimer box at the top of the far right column.  This blog is meant to provide you with sources of information that will allow you to make educated decisions about your shoulder and its’ care.

Scary Shoulder Exercise Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

This video scares me.

• notice the grimace on the face of the student / client within the first 3 seconds
• the weight used is obviously too heavy
• the instructor has to help the student / client at the end of each rep

Lack of Understanding is Dangerous

A major issue for me is the lack of understanding ( by the instructor ) that the rear delts ( used in the first stage of the exercise ) are far stronger than the rotator cuff ( used in the second stage of the exercise ).  This lack of understanding is causing the student to struggle as he attempts to perform the exercise correctly.  Imagine doing a lying dumbbell press with a heavy weight and then at the lockout position transitioning into a flye – it would feel like your chest is ripping apart – and it might.

Muscle Strength Imbalance

The rear deltoids are strong pulling muscles and the weight used in this exercise is probably appropriate for the inital movement.  However, the rotator cuff muscles are not nearly as strong as the deltoids – and it shows on the face of the student as he tries to rotate the weight in the second stage of the exercise.

This exercise should be broken into two parts:

1. a rear delt movement such as a rowing exercise – this would allow the student to use the weight shown.
2. a rotator cuff strengthening exercise – with far less weight – which is preferred.

Final Thoughts

I do like this shoulder exercise – just not as shown.  The amount of weight used should be decreased until the student can perform the exercise without pain.  Always use common sense.  If an exercise hurts you, then stop and  re-examine why and how  you’re doing it.

• are you performing the exercise correctly?
• are you using the “right” amount of resistance ( weight, band, etc. )?
• are you doing too many exercises for the same body part?

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Post tags: rotator cuff, shoulder exercises

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This shoulder exercise requires no expensive equipment of any kind.  It can be done anywhere – anytime and will increase your shoulder mobility and your external rotation.

How to perform this shoulder mobility exercise

• stand with your back against a wall
• place your hands, forearms and elbows against the wall as shown
• extend your hands and arms overhead
• when any part of your hands, elbows or arms lose contact with the wall, return to the starting position and repeat the movement

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Post tags: external rotation, shoulder exercises, shoulder mobility

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Internal Rotation: The Old Fashioned Approach

Stretching the internal rotation of your shoulder without help can be a problem. Most people suggest using a towel, golf club or some other item to drape over your shoulder and grasp behind your back. Then, you lift gently with one arm while pulling the other arm upwards behind your back. This short video is a good demonstration of the “old” technique:

Internal Rotation: The New Approach = Multiple Stretches + Greater Versatility

After the responses that we received from sports medicine professionals during the American College of Sports Medicine conference and athletic trainers during the National Athletic Trainers Association annual convention, Scott and I realized that our current video doesn’t showcase the all the benefits of the Rotater. Specifically, you can:

• stretch internal rotation in many positions
• duplicate internal rotation exercises that normally require assistance
• control the degree of each stretch
• achieve a “true” passive stretch (your injured arm does not grasp anything, avoiding the introduction of unnecessary resistance)

Here is our newest video demonstrating the variety of ways the Rotater can be used to stretch internal rotation.

Which one would you prefer – the “old” towel or the new Rotater?

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Providing great information about golf and the golf industry

Golf Today magazine has been keeping the golfer informed for twenty one years.  Scott and I had the pleasure to meet Bob Koczor the publisher/owner or Golf Today magazine during the fall PGA expo held in Las Vegas this past September.

We were riding the elevator to our twelfth floor room, when the gentleman in the elevator with us introduced himself (as Bob Koczor, the owner of Golf Today magazine) and asked about the shoulder device that we were caring.  He was very interested in hearing all about the Rotater and promised to come by our booth the following day to try the Rotater for himself. 

Bob came by our booth the following day and not only tried the Rotater, but took one with him for further testing and evaluation.

Orlando PGA Expo is huge!

Due to the strong reception that the Rotater received from the golf professionals who attended the Vegas show, we decided that we would take the “big leap” and go to Orlando for the “big” PGA expo.  Big is not really the correct word.  This event is huge beyond our imagining.  

When the doors opened, Bob Koczor was the first person to come by our booth.  He had seen Scott in the entrance area and made it a point to come by and speak with us about the Rotater.  He also told us that he would be publishing an article about the Rotater.

 The Rotater is noted in Golf Today Magazine

(this photo demonstrates how to use the Rotater to stretch external rotation)

If you haven’t seen Golf Today Magazine, then you have missed an online resource that offers in depth information at a price you can afford – free!  In addition to that, there are a number of blogs associated with the web site that keep you up-to-date with what’s going on in the golf world – today.

What I really like is the way that they present their digital version of the Golf Today Magazine.  Yes, that’s right.  You can read the magazine online.  And it’s in a real page flipping style – just like hard copy. 

Some excerpts from Golf Today magazine about the Rotater

The following excerpts are taken from the article that appeared in the February edition of Golf Today magazine.  This link will take you to the page 55 where you can read the entire article (you may have to use the zoom function).

“…I tried the sample they provided and, at first felt muscles and ligaments and whatever keeps me glued together that I had not felt since my 3 – hour Thai Massage about five years ago.”

“The Rotater provides Internal and External Rotation for one’s arms and shoulders which, in turn, results in stretching exercises that are key to good golf.”

“The Rotater allows you to get your body fluid enough to do those things and the results are outstanding.”

Visit our web-site to see if the Rotater can help you.

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This past August, we (the Rotater guys) went to the American Physical Therapy Association’s annual convention in Denver. This was the first time that we had publicly exposed the Rotater to the experts who use physical therapy devices as a part of their vocation.

The Rotater was a big hit

Scott and I stayed extremely busy demonstrating the Rotater and allowing physical therapists, PT students, teaching professors, athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons and others to try the Rotater for themselves. The Rotater was well received, which resulted in numerous sales and an even greater number of contacts.

A True Expert Evaluates the Rotater

Among the people that stopped by our booth was Julie Barnett. Julie has a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy, is the Director of Physical Therapy for Annette M. Zaharoff MD and is a member of the Adjunct Faculty of the University of Texas Health Science Center, Physical Therapy Department.

In late August, we shipped a Rotater to Julie for her professional evaluation in clinical use with real patients. I received the following email from her a couple of days ago.

The Observations of a Shoulder Rehabilitation Expert

Chris,
Thanks for following up with our clinic. We are off to a fast pace already for ‘08 which is great. Here is more feedback on our experience with The Rotator:

The best feature I like is the isolated external rotation passive stretch for our adhesive capsulitis patients. The movements are slow, controlled and specific unlike other alternatives.

I did look on line to see the padding which would be helpful to use. The tubing I do not feel that we need.

One of our patients who had used the Dynasplint passive mobilization system through another facility liked The Rotator better. He also felt the positioning and amount of stretch was more controlled with The Rotator.

My recommendation is that outpatient orthopedic clinics should have the Rotator as an everyday tool for restricted shoulders just as they would have a set of pulleys and arm bike. I believe it will remain as a main stay tool for shoulder rehabilitation in our profession.

The other uses are widespread throughout other fields of PT such as post mascectomy or other neurological conditions. I feel most competent to address the outpatient orthopedic arena. I plan to introduce the Rotator to our physical therapy students in the University of Texas Health Science Center Allied Health program in San Antonio as well.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the feedback for development of your practical tool. Feel free to use these comments in your materials and send a copy to me afterwards, if possible.

Julie Barnett PT, DPT, MTC
Director of Physical Therapy for
Annette M. Zaharoff MD
Adjunct Faculty UTHSC PT Dept
San Antonio, Texas

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I played baseball at a very progressive high school. The athletic department was well-funded and we had all sorts of therapeutic machines and devices along with a full compliment of trainers and student trainers.

I had transferred to this high school during my senior year simply to play baseball at a well known school and enhance my chances of receiving scholarship offers. Prior to this time, I had no idea that there were high schools that took their athletic programs so seriously ( this was in the late 70’s ). The school that I had come from didn’t have any “certified” athletic trainers, much less ones to rub down each pitcher’s arm before and after practice. I was in heaven.

Lack of feedback is a problem

One of the few problems of having someone else to stretch your shoulder is the lack of instant feedback. The trainer is limited because he/she cannot “feel” what the athlete is feeling and must be very aware of the person that he/she is stretching in order to gage the degree and effectiveness of the stretch. This is where having the Rotater helps both the athlete and the athletic trainer.

Strict form + good hands = effective stretch

Using the Rotater allows you to control the intensity of the stretch while maintaining strict and correct form. This way, you know when you are “doing some good”, while at the same time, you have full confidence that you are in good hands – your own.

The Rotater gives  you with the ability to increase your range of motion by stretching your shoulder internally and externally. It is simply the best tool for the job.

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Post tags: athletic trainer, baseball, pitcher, shoulder stretching

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Scott Kay and I were in Daytona the last few days at the Florida Physical Therapy Association’s annual conference. The hospitality extended to us was wonderful (which we’ve come to expect) and the show went extremely well. The Rotater was a huge hit, again.

Shoulder Rehab Device Captures Attention

At first glance, physical therapists, athletic trainers, athletes and educators are intrigued by the simplistic design of the Rotater. After watching us do a demonstration of the Rotater’s benefits, which includes allowing a patient to self-stretch their shoulder both internally and externally, most viewers want to try it. Some of the comments we hear are:

• this (the Rotater) is ingenious.
• how functional.
• I can’t believe how well it (the Rotater) provides an optimal stretch.
• it’s unbelievable.
• how can I get one?
• this is the best way to effectively stretch the shoulder internally and externally without assistance.
• where can my patients get one?

If you have shoulder problems, then you need to take a look at how the Rotater works and see how it can benefit you.

We saw and tried two really great products at the conference.

1. DEEP OSCILLATION by the HIVAMAT 200

Tamara Copes (MS, ATC) and Duane and Bethany Griffith manned the PHYSIOMED of North America booth, which was right next to our booth. Their product (the HIVAMAT 200) is being used by a tremendous number of college and professional sports teams as part of their treatment program for injuries.

Take a look at their testimonials. After reading these testimonials, it was very easy for me to see why their booth stayed so busy doing demonstrations. Those who allowed themselves to try the HIVAMAT 200 did not seem to want to leave. It was obvious that they were enjoying the results that they were receiving.

Tamara, Duane and Bethany are extremely knowledgeable of their product and they demonstrated their knowledge over and over as people came by their booth to both try out the HIVAMAT 200, ask questions and get information to take home to study.

One final note: PHYSIOMED has just recently unveiled a home version of their DEEP OSCILLATION device.

Visit their web sites and see the science behind the product. You will be as impressed as we were.

2. The Fitness Balloon (A Manual for Exercise)

Jane Davis, a physical therapist, is an exuberant woman with a passion for helping her physical therapy patients. It is because of her passion that Jane has developed an exercise regimen that uses a heavy duty balloon to provide the variable resistance needed in a strengthening program.

Her program is wonderful. It does not use heavy, intimidating weights which can be a real turnoff for some people. Instead, she provides a heavy-duty balloon, which is easy to use (as explained in her book), is very forgiving and is a lot of fun. Her program is easy to understand and provides pictures and explanations of all the exercises.

Can you benefit from using The Fitness Balloon? I think that most people will benefit, but if you have questions, then visit Jane’s web site. She has a list of frequently asked questions that may help you decide.

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Post tags: APTA, athletic trainers, Deep Oscillation, fitness balloon, FPTA, physical therapists, physical therapy, Physiomed, shoulder rehab, shoulder stretch, the Rotater

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The Rotater is providing physical therapists, shoulder rehab patients, golfers, baseball players, tennis players, swimmers and many more with a new shoulder rehabilitation and stretching device that is resulting in a more effective way to self-stretch their shoulders. Their response and feedback have been both positive and huge.

Physical Therapist tells about Shoulder Rehab and Stretching Device:

Hi, I am Justin Spooner ,MSPT, I want say that using the “Rotater” on a regular basis has had a positive effect for many of my shoulder patients I see from S/P RTC Repair Surgery to Adhesive Capsulitis.

It (the Rotater) is much more effective than the old doorway and towel stretches plus patient’s seem to be more motivated to do it at home than giving them these stretches. It (the Rotater) does a better job at isolating than anything I have come across and when it comes to shoulder impingement, etc, having good ER/IR (External Rotation/Internal Rotation) is huge and very well could mean the difference in having surgery or not.

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Post tags: adhesive capsulitis, baseball, doorway stretches, external rotation, Golf, internal rotation, physical therapists, self-stretch, shoulder impingement, shoulder rehab, stretching device, swimming, tennis, the Rotater, towel stretches

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