Editor of The Healthy Minute is thankful for the Rotater
July 20, 2010
“Who is Pete Genot?”
- the Founder and Editor of The Healthy Minute…a free on-line newsletter publishing the latest breakthroughs in the health industry
- Pete is a former college football player
- He has earned both Bachelors and Masters degrees from The University of Toledo
- He’s an avid a motorcycle rider
“Here are my thoughts…
Pete Genot - editor of The Healthy Minute
- I’m sure glad you included the video…I think I would have been lost if I just had to follow the diagrams on the instruction sheet.
- After a few days of watching the videos and following along with the exercises, I was able catch on. They were very easy to learn and can be done in less than 15 minutes per day.
- I have been using The Rotater along with the Strong-arm Attachment for the past 30 days, and I couldn’t be happier!
I injured my right shoulder over a year and a half ago in a bad motorcycle accident. I was traveling on the highway at 60 mph when some debris in the road caused my motorcycle to throw me over the handlebars. I flew thru the air head-over-heals, and the initial impact was on my right shoulder. This caused a severe separation of the shoulder, fractured ribs and various other bruises and abrasions. I tumbled approximately the length of a football field, passing thru the fast lane before finally landing in the center median.
My orthopedic surgeon decided against surgery, and instead recommended physical therapy. When I first started PT, I was in tremendous pain, and had very little range of motion and strength. After several months of therapy, I was able to regain about 90% of my range of motion, although I still suffered from pain and weakness. My doctor said this was something I would just have to live with the rest of my life.
So, after my insurance ran out, I continued to do my rehab at home and slowly regained much of my strength over the next year.
Although my shoulder was much stronger, there were exercises that I just could not do (like barbell bench press) because the pain was just too great. So, I limited myself to doing exercises using light enough weights and specific (limited) ranges of motion that did not cause pain.
The problem was, the more I worked out, the more range of motion I lost and the more pain I felt. Over a year after the accident, I was still feeling enough pain that is limited not only the things I enjoy doing (working out, playing basketball, playing baseball with my kids), but also “normal” activities like sleeping, putting on a shirt or combing my hair. I was resigned to the fact that I would just always be in pain and would have to live with certain physical limitations.
But that all changed when I started using The Rotater.
After doing the stretching exercises the very first day, I noticed that my shoulder really felt better. I was shocked. You see, I was pretty skeptical that this “contraption” would really be able to help me. I already exercised and did some “basic” shoulder stretches the PT taught me, so I didn’t think this funny looking piece of plastic could do any better.
Boy…I’m sure glad I was wrong!
I didn’t realize that the muscles, ligaments and tendons The Rotater helps were so different than the ones I use to do a dumbell press or lateral raise. Those exercises actually hurt, while the one I do with The Rotater give me RELIEF.
I currently use The Rotater to stretch my shoulder about 5 days per week, and I use the Strong-arm Attachment to do strengthening exercises 2 – 3 times per week.
Since I started following this program, I have improved the strength and stability of the shoulder, increased my range of motion to nearly 100% of what it was before the accident and… more importantly…have greatly reduced the amount of pain I feel in and around the shoulder.
This has allowed me to do the things I enjoy again…like shooting a basketball, throwing a baseball to my son, or lifting my 2-year old daughter in the air…without as much pain.
I owe you much thanks!”
Sincerely,
Pete Genot
http://thehealthyminute.com/
You can learn all about Pete on his Facebook page or by following him on Twitter.
Disclosure: Pete was provided with a Rotater at no charge. His testimonial was voluntary and not required.
Shoulder Rehab Patient Exceeds PT’s Expectations
January 27, 2010
I love to ski – the snow, the view, the speed, the excitement – and the danger. Yea, skiing is dangerous. In 1996 I severely separated my shoulder resulting surgery and nice six inch scar to remind me to watch others as well as myself.
Shoulder injuries can result from falling while skiing
That leads me to this email:
…The Rotater is Great
“Gentlemen;
4 words some it up. The Rotater is great.
I originally tore my rotator cuff and broke the head of the humerus skiing in April.
3 weeks after surgery in June to repair my rotator cuff, (supraspinatus tendon) I started PT. after 5 weeks of PT my therapist said I was “falling behind”. My external rotation was terrible and not improving at all. I searched the internet for help. I stumbled across your website and proceeded to make my own version of the Rotater. Having only one good arm, it didn’t come out so good. I ordered your product and in the past 4 months I have surpassed my therapist expectations. He “released” me on Dec. 30, 09.
Great product, and thank you very very much!!!”
Dave Hurlbut
Bristol, CT.
Skier says – the Rotater works great!
September 14, 2009
We received this email from a another satisfied Rotater client:
“I received my Rotater 2 months ago and have been using it regularly.
I had a skiing accident that resulted in a 4 part fracture of the proximal humerus that required hemiarthroplasty (half an artifical shoulder) 2 years ago. The top of the humerus was shattered the head was broken off as and both tuberosities were broken. The injury included complete tears of the subscapularis and supraspinatus muscles as well. Doctors and PTs all said I literally destroyed the entire joint.
Falling while skiing can result in shoulder injuries
I had 12 months of supervised PT and have been working on my own to regain strength and ROM since then. My most difficult ROM is internal rotation and part of the reason is it is very difficult to stretch in that direction without assistance. The Rotater works great for that stretch!
I saw my surgeon this morning for a regular 6 month check up. I showed him the Rotater literature and he thought it was a fantastic device. I left the literature with him so he could recommend it to his other patients.
Thanks for everything!”
Jeff Roy
Best-selling author reviews the Rotater
September 11, 2009
In January of this year, Daylle Deanna Schwartz, best-selling author, speaker, self-empowerment counselor and music industry consultant, posted an article in which she recommends a number of products to enrich your life. One of those products was the Rotater.
Tips, Tools and Perspective for Being More Empowered
Here are a couple of excerpts from her article – Nurturing Yourself & Your Environment Through 2009
“…it’s helped me with my sensitive spots that get sore when I work out with weights and for overall stretching to relieve the soreness I always get after..”
“…It’s a MUCH better stretch than I get on my wall! ? I like that it’s a simple device. I can just pick it up, stretch, then put it away, without a lot of fuss..”
“…This is highly recommended by many doctors, physical therapists, people involved in sports, and me!”
Golfer Improves Shoulder Flexibility with the Rotater
September 1, 2009
Shoulder pain while sleeping is common and frustrating
“Back in 2007 I started experiencing pain in my right shoulder mostly at nights while sleeping. Being someone who loves to play golf this became a concern especially since several friends and my wife all had shoulder surgery.
I ended up seeing my doctor and found out I had bone spurs in my shoulder that were rubbing and irritating my rotator cuff. Of course after surgery there’s physical therapy. I was in physical therapy for about 2 months and everything went really well, but I wasn’t back to the same flexibility in my shoulder as before even though I continued to do the exercises.
At the Jan. 2008 PGS Merchandise show in Orlando, I was at the Rotater booth and listened to what Chris Melton had to say about the Rotater. Sounded interesting but I didn’t do anything at first.
Full shoulder turn with no pain
After wallking around the show for awhile, I decided to buy one and give it a try.
I’ve been using the Rotater nearly everyday now and my shoulder flexibility has improved and is greater than before the shoulder surgery. As a golfer this is important for generating distance and control.”
Bill Raines – Kennedy Space Center, NASA
Rehab Device Duplicates Physical Therapy Stretches
July 21, 2009
“I am a police officer who during a foot pursuit after a fleeing suspect injured my right shoulder. The diagnosis was a detached proximal bicep tendon and seriously damaged shoulder joint as well.
Fall contribute to many serious shoulder injuries
I underwent two procedures to attach the tendon and clean up the shoulder joint. As anyone knows who has had a shoulder surgery, the post op was very painful and the my range of motion almost nothing for the first month.
When I started to use the Rotater it was painful but I was able to use it all day everyday, slowly but surely increasing the force and range of motion. There was nothing else I could find that would duplicate the same kind of stretches my physical therapist was doing on me like the Rotater did.
I could only see my PT twice a week too. He told me that he was amazed at how quickly I got my range of motion back as well as my strength. When I went to see the surgeon for a post visit he was also amazed at how quickly I had regained the use of my shoulder. I was able to go back to full duty two months ahead of his projected schedule.
And as far as the customer service, I broke my Rotater from so much use and they promptly shipped me a new one no questions asked. I still use it today on both of my shoulders.
Thanks to the rotater I was able to get back to work and not lose the use of my shoulder in this demanding profession.”
Officer D. Pesko
Rausch Physical Therapy Recommends the Rotater
July 14, 2009
“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.
Kevin Rausch of Rausch Physical Therapy
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
Shoulder Rehab Device Receives “Stamp of Approval” from Doctor of Physical Therapy
July 6, 2009
Julie Barnett - PT, DPT, MTC
“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 Rotater:
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 Rotater better. He also felt the positioning and amount of stretch was more controlled with The Rotater.
My recommendation is that outpatient orthopedic clinics should have the Rotater 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 Rotater 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 University of Texas Health Science Center Physical Therapy Dept
Shoulder Rehab Tool Puts Senior Golf Pro back on the Links
June 2, 2009
Hey Rotater Guys,
Just a quick note to tell you about how this thing has worked out for me. As I told you a while back, my right shoulder rotator cuff and shoulder joint were injured in a fall from a chair that had broken. After checking into the surgery aspect I found out that doing surgery was completely out of the question.
Falling on an outstretched arm can injure your shoulder
Physical therapy to the rescue
So, its into physical therapy and other exercise stuff to get this thing to heal. My Doc had told me that with proper therapies, I would likely heal well in a three to four year period. Why so long you did not ask? Because as a professional golfer, the use of this shoulder is paramount to my making a living. I must play and practice every day. It’s my JOB! And it ain’t that glorious either. It’s a JOB. Hot, sweaty and physically draining. It’s supposed to be mentally draining as well but I’m not very mental. And to think, I gave up an office job for this!
Found the Rotater and back on the links
Hitting 'em long and straight with no shoulder pain
Well anyway, I met you guys and the Rotater and this little beauty has become my three to four times a day shoulder exercise device. My range of motion has improved immensely and I use it on both shoulders, even though only the right one was injured.
My Doc loves this thing because it causes the shoulder to move correctly in the directions necessary for the correct exercises. I am now back to playing (and note: the fellows who had surgery NO LONGER PLAY and are on restricted cortisone use!) and my strength and stuff is just as it should be.
As I’ve told you, I tell everyone who’ll listen about it-the Rotater, and let them use mine-but not keep it! Don’t know how many have contacted you but I tell them use my name and maybe you’ll give them a special deal! What the heck-it’s worth a try ain’t it?
So there you go. I’m a great fan of the thing and will remain so.
Best to both of you,
Dusty O’Tyrrell
Senior Professional Golfer
P.O. Box 499
Death Valley, California 92328
