Benefits of swinging on T-BOW® in a chronic knee injury, regarding a case

by Emilio López, Expert in Sport and Fitness Training, EU

HISTORY OF THE INJURY

After a fall due to an imbalance in a jump, I suffered a sprain to my right knee that resulted

in a mild strain of the lateral collateral ligament and a partial tear of the medial meniscus.

This was complicated by phlebitis that affected the right leg and foot. I underwent

arthroscopy to remove part of the meniscus, but the intervention was unsuccessful,

leading to a second intervention two years later due to acute pain in the knee during

jumping and maximum flexion, as well as generalized edema that caused phlebitis with any

impact activity, preventing even running short distances.

During the second arthroscopy, fragments of the torn meniscus were removed and patellar

chondropathy was diagnosed. After rehabilitation, I returned to my normal training, but

the discomfort persisted. In a new medical consultation, no negative evolution of the injury

or new pathology was evident. A repeat arthroscopy was discouraged and strengthening of

the vastus medialis was recommended to help center the patella. I continued to train

within my functional limitations, avoiding joint impacts and using light loads in pain-free

ranges of motion. I also worked on my hamstrings and performed proprioception exercises

to improve joint stability, achieving greater tolerance to load and an increase in joint range,

although I still couldn't run or jump without pain. I applied ice and anti-inflammatories in

case of inflammation. This situation continued for almost 10 years, during which I decided

not to undergo another surgery due to disappointing medical results.

EVOLUTION AND TREATMENT THROUGH BALANCING WITH T-BOW®

In 2008, I attended a presentation of the T-BOW® at my workplace. Initially, my interest

was more professional than personal, but I was impressed by the potential of the T-BOW®

and purchased one for my professional and personal use. During practice, I noticed a

progressive improvement in the stability and functional strength of my knee that I had not

achieved with cycling or other devices such as the Bosu. Balancing exercises in the frontal

and sagittal planes, especially in the frontal plane, showed a notable improvement.

I noticed that my center of pressure during exercise remained more constant, since not

feeling pain I did not need to adjust my joints. This allowed me to recover a previously

distorted lower limb extension motor pattern. I believe that the movement helped me

relax and control the opening chain of the lower limb, and that the activation of the

adductors benefited the vastus medialis by irradiation. The feeling of work in the peroneal

muscles was good, thus completing the closed chain work of the joint. I did not use

angulations beyond 60º, which reduced shear. In the sagittal plane, I performed eccentric

hamstring work.

To better understand the therapeutic benefits obtained with T-BOW® swinging, I

learned about the experiences of Sandra Bonacina (inventor of the T-BOW® and

professor of physiotherapy and fitness training at the University of Zurich) and

Gonzalo Cámara-Navarro (physiotherapist with extensive experience in athletes and

in the field of health). With this, I would highlight:

● The T-BOW® offers extraordinary reactivity, with a single imbalance axis and low

weight, enabling rapid and precise movement adjustments (*).

● This design allows for quick and fine variations in response to even small changes in

weight and movement, creating a cushioned swing that minimizes joint impact.

● Placing the feet on the narrow edges of the T-BOW® requires bilateral ankle control,

promoting leg verticality and excellent segmental independence.

● This setup greatly enhances the functional screwing of the leg's longitudinal axis

during lateral swings and provides deep, fine stabilization of the joints.

● The T-BOW® allows for the adjustment of difficulty levels, from basic balances to

high levels of functionality, suitable for daily activities and sports. This versatility

makes it accessible and beneficial for people of all fitness levels.

(*) Utensils like the Bosu are too soft to achieve good reactivity, forcing rebalancing that is too slow and imprecise, a characteristic aggravated by its multiple axes of imbalance (half

sphere), making it difficult to achieve healthy situations for the joints of many individuals.

Thanks to training with the T-BOW® and based on my personal observations, I now feel

much better and can do two activities that I couldn't do before: running (up to 10 km/h

without discomfort) and skipping rope for a few minutes. Although these achievements

may seem modest to some, for me they represent a significant advance, since I have not

been able to perform these activities without pain for more than 10 years.

Very Quick and Precise Postural Adjustment

The T-BOW®'s curved design, reactivity, lightweight, and single axis of instability promote very quick and precise postural and coordinative adjustments.

* On concavity, convexity and narrow edges.

* In stable and unstable situations.

* Barefoot and with sport shoes; and with socks on the wooden version.

* Enhanced tactile sensitivity on the concavity of the Wood T-BOW®

*   Deep joint stabilization & healthy back.

*   Coordination and Balance applicable in therapy and to daily and sport activities, for all ages and levels.

Unique for Balance and Coordination on Unstable T-BOW®

• Arched design, reactivity, lightweight and single axis of instability promote rapid and precise postural adjustments and responsiveness.

• Many alternatives to place de feet on concavity, narrow edges and convexity (double T-BOW®).

• Barefoot and with sport shoes. Also with socks on the Wood T-BOW®, which has narrower edges and its concavity has glass microspheres which extraordinarily enhances tactile sensitivity.

• Balance and coordination for prophylaxis and challenges for a wide range of users, applicable to daily and sport activities.

• Placing the feet on the narrow edges of the T-BOW® requires bilateral ankle control, promoting leg verticality and excellent segmental independence, also making possible a functional screw connection of the leg's longitudinal axis in spiral dynamics.               

• Balancing on the T-BOW® is fun and gives wellbeing (like a mother's gentle sway her baby).

Therapeutic Benefits of T-BOW® Lateral Swinging

With rapid and precise movement adjustments!!

Placing the feet on the narrow edges of the T-BOW® requires bilateral ankle control, promoting leg verticality and excellent segmental independence. 

Active knee movement outward enhances the valuable training of the functional screw connection of the entire leg's longitudinal axis, in spiral dynamics, which is extremely beneficial by providing deep and fine stabilization of the foot, knee and hip joints, basis for a strong spinal foundation.

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