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?

• The Rotater is being used in Ball State’s Human Performance Lab
• at least one other university is teaching its students the benefits of the Rotater

No matter where we go, we discover great people who are helping us spread the word about the Rotater and it can help in shoulder performance and rehab. This trip was no different and I’d like to thank them for:

• their advice
• their encouragement
• introducing us to influential people
• pointing us in the right direction

Among those that We’d like to thank are:

• Steven Forestieri and Jeff Rose of NHESA – Steven and Jeff have a passion to help others and the National Health and Exercise Science Association promises to be a fantastic organization with a variety of health care and educational applications.
• Rachelle Waggoner
• Daniel P. Montero, M.D. – Orthopedic Medicine & Musculoskeletal Disorders - Mayo Clinic
• Clinton A. Brawner, MS – ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
• Helmut Perez – FACSM
• Lisa Sonntag, MS, PTA – ACSM Certified Health Fitness Instructor
• Kim Mueller, MS, RD – www.fuel-factor.com
• Dave Freidrich – www.infinitnutrition.com
• Judy Foxworth, PT, PhD, OCS – Assistant Professor Department of Physical Therapy, Winston Salem State University
• Angie Armour – Occupational Therapist
• Jonathan K. Ehrman, PhD, FASCM – Associate Program Director, Preventive Cardiology and Clinical Exercise Physiology Core Lab – Director, Weight Management Program.
• Frank Finach
• Dan Zeman

Distributorship Inquiries from Abroad

There was tremendous interest about the possibility of distributing the Rotater worldwide. Though we are currently shipping to many countries, several people approached us about setting up distributorships in their countries. These include:

• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Brazil
• Chile

Scott and I will be traveling to Indianapolis this week for the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual conference to demo our shoulder rehab and stretching device.

(photo courtesy of Serge Melki)

The American College of Sports Medicine is the world’s largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. Their annual conference provides a wealth of expert knowledge for the sports professional.

The Rotater made its commercial debut last year in New Orleans at this same show, where it received phenomenal attention and reinforced our belief that our shoulder stretching device is beneficial for both post-operative shoulder patients as well as serious athletes.

If you are going to be in Indianapolis this week, then make it a point to stop by our booth to introduce yourself. We’d love to meet you.

I discovered this video on redscrubs.com and immediately began to wonder if cold laser therapy would have the same pain-relieving effects on shoulder pain.

According to Wikipedia, cold laser therapy or photobimodulation:

“…is an emerging medical and veterinary technique in which exposure to low-level laser light or light emitting diodes can stimulate or inhibit cellular function leading to beneficial clinical effects. The technique is also known by the more ambiguous terms phototherapy and laser therapy, which may also be used to describe other medical techniques. The “best” combination of wavelength, intensity, duration and treatment interval is complex and sometimes controversial with different diseases, injuries and dysfunctions needing different treatment parameters and techniques. These are still being explored and increasingly published by the academic community.”   – read the rest

Can Cold Laser Therapy be used to Treat Shoulder Pain?

Is it smoke and mirrors or can cold laser therapy treat your shoulder pain?  The following newsclip video is a strong testimonial, but could it be a placebo-like affect?  Watch and judge for yourself.

Are Professional Athletes using Cold Laser Therapy?

I found the following articles that stated some professional athletes and teams are using cold laser therapy – most often noted is Lance Armstrong.

• Cold Laser Therapy Provides New Relief for Injuries by Paula Felps – excerpt – “ …it was widely reported that 10 members of the Patriots sought cold laser therapy treatments to treat minor injuries the week before they won the Super Bowl in 2004.”
• Cold laser improves performance, heals injuries, pain by Melissa Loomis, Editor – excerpt – “Gendron has used the laser on numerous athletes young and old. Shelton High School baseball player Marco Garamella injured his arm. After the laser treatment the bruising was reduced and his strength and range of motion were increased, according to Gendron.”
• Cold Laser Pain Treatment Grows In Popularity - Treatment Used By Professional Athletes

It has been a few months since I met the Rotater gang at the APTA conference in Denver, CO. I was quite intrigued with their product, and purchased one for use in my clinic. Since then, the Rotater has been used daily and I am in need of a new one or three.

The Rotater itself has proved invaluable to my patients’ shoulders and their subsequent recovery. It has been used for a variety of overuse, sports, orthopedic, and post-surgical conditions to date, and on a large group of patients as well. Everyone from grandma with adhesive capsulitis to the major league baseball pitcher has reaped its benefits, and I look forward to many more.

In fact, I am currently planning a youth baseball camp for the little leagues in my area. I plan on performing mechanical examinations and coaching; rotator cuff, scapular, and core strengthening; and shoulder stretching (with the Rotater of course). I’ll keep you guys updated with the progress on the camp.

In summary, great job guys! I truly appreciate your ingenuity in creating the Rotater. It has been a great addition to my clinic. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Kevin Rausch, MPT, CSCS
Rausch Physical Therapy, INC.
www.rauschpt.net

We met Kevin Rausch in August of 2007 at the American Physical Therapy Association’s annual convention. Kevin was introducing a revolutionary rehabilitation service that combines the convenience of a menu of internet based rehabilitation exercises with the expertise of member physical therapists.

An idea that is grabbing the attention of the press

Kevin’s internet based exercise program has caught the attention of Physical Therapy Products magazine, where his program has been featured a number of times.

Products on the Market ( Oct 2007 ) – a section of Physical Therapy Products magazine that features new and innovative products for the physical therapist. Scroll down to “Web-based Exercise Programs”

Soap Notes ( Dec 2007) – Physical therapy products.

Fitness Focus ( Jan 2008 ) – an article by Alan Ruskin entitled “Exercise Software”.

Visit Home Programs.net to find out if Kevin can help you.

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

• push
• pull
• reach overhead
• lift
• carry
• swing a baseball bat or tennis racket
• swim
• drive a nail
• serve or spike a volleyball
• throw a baseball, softball, football, javelin or anything else
• do a bench press, shoulder press or chin-up

…your shoulder is being called on to “carry” the load. Injuries abound. I’ve experienced everything from a torn rotater cuff to a full-blown separation requiring extensive surgery. As a person who has spent most of his life involved in athletics, I was thrilled when Scott Kay first described his invention to me.

Simple is best

Scott has the ability to get outside the box and view things in their simplest terms. He has invented and improved a number of different devices, but the Rotater is the one that I am most excited about.

This video was filmed during an interview for an article (Pair hope patients turn to ROTATER) that featured the Rotater and took place on December 4th at the Montgomery Advertiser offices in Montgomery Alabama. Click here to see Scott’S video and hear his passion as he explains the Rotater and its benefits.

Front Page News

On December 6^th, Scott and I were interviewed by Don Prater of the Auburn-Opelika News. Don had heard about two industrial mechanics who were receiving quite a bit of attention from physical therapists, athletic trainers and athletes due to a shoulder rehabilitation and stretching device that they had invented and were marketing.

We spent about an hour answering Don’s questions and taking a few pictures. At the conclusion, Don told us that the article would probably land in the “Lifestyle or Living” section of the Sunday paper.

We were completely (and happily) surprised to discover that we had been featured on the front page of Friday’s (Dec 7, 2007) edition of the Auburn-Opelika News. Read the article – Local inventor revolutionizes rehab

More to come

The Rotater has attracted the attention of several media outlets – from daily print to monthly magazines to television. Though simple in design, the Rotater is proving to everyone who uses it why it’s becoming so popular.

• the Rotater’s inspiration
• the many different groups of people who can be benefited by using the Rotater
• our commitment to “give back” to help breast cancer survivors
• the many applications for the Rotater (shoulder surgery patients, athletes and breast cancer survivors)
• our desire to continue to grow as a business

Yesterday, we traveled to Montgomery to do the interview. While we were there, we met Lloyd Gallman, an incredible photographer and Shannon Heupel the senior videographer for the Montgomery Advertiser.

Kym, Lloyd and Shannon all participated in the interview process. This was our first major media interview and we were nervous, to say the least. Our nervousness faded soon after meeting these guys. They made us feel at home and the interview process was very informal, almost conversational, which allowed us to open up and tell our story.

We’d like to say “Thank You” to Kym, Lloyd and Shannon, as well as the Montgomery Advertiser for recognizing the benefits of the Rotater and helping us increase the awareness of the Rotater and breast cancer rehabilitaion.

You can see the full article here.

• add it to your web site or blog
• add it to your favorites
• refer others to the Rotater video

We are in the process of producing several additional videos that go into more detail and will address inquiries about:

• internal rotation
• external rotation
• range of motion
• benefits of the Rotater
• comparisons of the Rotater with other shoulder therapy devices
• strengthening exercises with the “Strong Arm” attachment

If you have questions or comments:

• please leave your thoughts in the form of a comment by clicking on the “comments” link at the end of this article if you want them to be made public
• if you do not want your questions and comments published, then please click the “CONTACT” page at the top of this page and you will be referred to a submission form that we will receive via our email.

Your comments, suggestions and questions are very important to us and we take them seriously. We are very diligent in responding to every email that we get, so keep ‘em coming.

Tags: The+Rotater, shoulder, shoulder+device, shoulder+rehab, shoulder+therapy

The HIVAMAT is a German technology that is relatively new to the states. It works by creating an electrostatic field that is able to break apart and essentially shake up metabolic waste. It also activates the lymphatic system so the body is able to move out the waste. It was created to be used for lymphedema patients and has found subsequent uses in almost any thing that requires removal of metabolic waste by the body.

G. Schönfelder and D. Berg discovered in their study “Side effects following conservative therapy for a carcinoma of the breast” that “HIVAMAT-supported lymph drainage has shown significant improvements in the results for the following clinical criteria, compared with conventional manual lymph drainage: consistency; pain and disturbances to the sensitivity of the breast operated; skin alterations; arm movement; pain, parenthesis in the arm and/or axilla of the side operated, and lymphedema.”

Another recently study by Bartoletti Gasbarro and colleagues in Fandonzione Fatebenefratelli, Roma (2006) showed that treatment with the HIVAMAT 200 actually reduced the circumference of limbs that had lymphedema and decrease the thickness of the subcutis as shown in an ecograph.

The use of the HIVAMAT 200 can be done in correlation with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) techniques actually make the therapy easier on the therapist. The results a therapist can achieve with a HIVAMAT 200 treatment has been testified over and over to be at least double that of treatment without. Part of the reason that it is so effective is it deeply penetrating abilities. It has been shown to penetrate 8-12cm (3-3.5”) deep into the tissue which is much deeper than a therapist hands are able to get alone. The treatment does not cause pain and is very pleasant to patients. Treatment with the HIVAMAT 200 can start first day post-op and helps reduce pain and inflammation immediately.

Treatment with the HIVAMAT 200 can improve ones chances of a better recovery following a mastectomy and can help treat problems such as lymphedema and fibroid build-up from surgery. HIVAMAT therapy is a great adjunct to the treatments that are already being done.

If you have general questions about the HIVAMAT 200, please visit www.deeposcillation.com. This website gives a very good overview of the HIVAMAT 200, along with comments and endorsements from:

• physicians
• athletic trainers
• physical therapists
• chiropractors
• patients
• athletes

If you have specific questions related to this unique technology, then please direct your inquiries to Tamara’s email:

tlcopes@yahoo.com