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“The Smovey rings are a useful tool for mobilizing the body in a contained, safe way. They organize energy through sound, movement and rhythm, helping to link the autonomic and somatic (systems).” This is one of the very helpful tools I use along with the Bellicon Rebounder, Tuning Board, Body Blade, and a large gymnastic ball.” 

"I have been a Physiotherapist for twenty-two years and the nervous system has been an area of special interest in how frighteningly amazing it can be. I treat a cross-section of the population, as well as a select population with severe nervous system disorders. In these patients the primary symptoms are movement dysfunction and/or a severe pain disorder.

I am continually looking for ways to motivate patients to achieve more pain reduction and an increase in active functional movement. When I was first introduced to the Smovey VIBROswing-System, I was unsure of what I thought.  My initial reaction was that they felt good, and if they felt good for me, I thought the rings would be soothing for many chronic pain patients who were looking for a gentle way to exercise.  However, in a generation of quick fixes and new products, I attempt to guide my patients as best as I can with an understanding of science. 

In the body we have four types of mechanoreceptors – these are the types of structures that perceive touch and sensation. The ones relevant to the Smovey rings are the Pacinian corpuscles.  These are our deep touch receptors which perceive vibration and respond to frequencies between 10 – 400Hz.  They are found deep in the dermis (subcutaneous fat) and in the capsules of joints. As the Smovey rings vibrate, the Hz frequency of the swinging rings stimulates our perception of vibration. This helps in gaining improved stimulus to the nervous system, and increases the stabilization signals that are produced in the joints. By using it through movement, one is  stimulating a dynamic function from the nervous system and brain, while challenging function.

There are not many tools on the market that assist in strengthening musculature as well as in challenging the nervous system.  I have introduced the Smovey rings to several patients in our clinic and thus far, all have gained benefit.

I look forward to continued use of the rings with my patients in many facets of their recovery."

Belinda McDonald PT COMT TPS

Signature Physical Therapy, San Clemente, CA

belinda@signaturept.com

Antje Waxman, PAS
Certified Egoscue Postural Alignment Specialist
Certified Nia Instructor
Certified ANWA Nordic Walking Instructor
Certified Smovey Coach
Realign, Charlottesville, VA
antje@realigncville.com

I am an Egoscue postural alignment specialist and I am working with people who suffer from chronic pain (Neck, shoulder, hip, back, knee and ankle pain) as well as with people with spinal conditions. Very often the root cause of chronic pain is postural misalignment and muscle imbalance. With the Egoscue exercises I eliminate the misalignment of the major weight bearing joints andthe muscle imbalances with individualized prescribed exercises for my clients.This year I was looking for more “functional movement forms” in and found the web site of the American Nordic Walking Association (anwa.us) and contacted Bernd Zimmermann, the founder of this association and the CEO of smovey VIBROSWING-System. I was immediately intrigued by smovey VIBROSWING-System as I was confident it would be a great addition to my postural alignment work as it increases the ROM (range of motion) of the shoulder joints but also strengthens the muscles around the shoulder joints, the upper, lower back and the muscles of the core and lower body. I got certified as a smovey coach in spring 2016. I started working with my clients and students in a large fitness club in Charlottesville/VA and also in my studio.The reactions of my clients/students were phenomenal. My students in my classes reported hat they were breathing more deeply after a smovey session and that they felt much more energized than after any other exercise classes.  Some of my clients had shoulder injuries and frozen shoulders and they have improved with the smovey rings.The smovey exercises are excellent posture exercises that are not only good for people who experience pain in their back and shoulders but also for people who sit a lot at the computer.I love the fact that I can show my clients different exercise levels that work for their bodies. Some of my clients have challenging health conditions such asParkinson’s, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia and they can do the exercises while sitting. Some of my athletic clients use the smovey rings to warm up their bodies before they walk, run or lift weights. Smovey is a fitness tool that can work for everyone.Bernd Zimmermann has been very helpful as my coach and mentor and has been guiding through the process of learning proper technique as well as helping me with marketing of smovey VIBROSWING-System. He has been very supportive from the first day I started studying this method. He also has been assisting me to reach my goals as a smovey coach. I love working with him as I think there is now one like Bernd Zimmermann as his service is excellent as he explains and promotes the smovey VIBROSWING-System in a professional way as it deserves of being presented. I look forward to continuing working with the rings to achieve and maintain good health for my clients, students and myself.Personally I love to work out with the smovey VIBROSWING-System and I love to create my own functional body work to not only strengthen my body and increase my ROM, but also to have some fun with it. I have developed some unique dance steps with the smovey rings that give me a good workout.

Taruno Steffensen, 

Steffensen Consulting International

Somatic Experiencing Practitioner 

Trauma Coach and Addiction Counselor

"As a Somatic Experiencing (SE) Practitioner and an International Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, I absolutely love working with the Smovey Rings! I’ve been practicing SE in the United States for 10+ years and use the Smovey Rings in most of my SE sessions with clients. The vibrations are enormously soothing to the nervous system, whether an individual is in a hyper or hypo state. The rings bring him or her to a state of balance and calm pretty quickly. The rings are so smooth and slick, and they appear to guide movement and promote awakening, opening and postural stability. 

In my SE sessions and therapy work, the vibrations also facilitate a mindful awareness of and connection to the body’s internal sensations, which is key in all trauma healing. In particular, the vibrations regulate the autonomic organ system to a state of equilibrium and homeostasis. For example, a woman came to me for severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms for years and after two sessions in which she used the Smovey rings, along with SE, she returned to the third session and was ecstatic over feeling “normal.” She has continued to have no issues with her bowel movements and has sustained this for seven months to date.

This product is simple in its own unique design and fantastic in its many applications, including a passive application.  Rolling the rings on specific parts of the body and feeling the pleasant sensations of the vibrations, gives tremendous pleasure for my otherwise highly dysregulated and traumatized clients. I absolutely and very highly recommend this product to all professionals that work with trauma and addictions.”

Taruno Steffensen, SEP

Steffensen Consulting International

1825 E. Northern Avenue, Ste. #161c

Phoenix, AZ  85020

taruno@steffensenconsulting.com

Swinging the Smoveys energizes people who come for a session intellectually overloaded, confused, worn out, or just over tired. Once we have used them in one session, some patients walk in, grab the rings, and start swinging and talking in the next sessions. 

During a session when I demonstrate how to use the Smoveys, I have often found that patients report calming down just by watching me find a nice rhythm. I can see them settling. 

As part of my introduction for patients I say that the Smoveys are novel to our nervous system. The sound, vibration, momentum, and color are novel. This novelty draws the attention of our nervous system, and we sync ourselves to the rhythm. 

I also use the Smoveys in group presentations of about 30 people. I demo the Smoveys, then I ask the group what changes they notice in me. Then I offer the Smoveys for others to try. Always a handful of people want to try them. 

One young man in treatment for addiction zealously started swinging during a group presentation. Whenever I saw him on campus he was walking on his toes, a toe walker. During the presentation when he began making a large circle, swinging and striding with the Smoveys, he started out walking on his toes. After a couple of circles he was walking using his heels and his pace had slowed. I wish someone could have prescribed the Smoveys for him to use regularly.

Medical Exercise Specialist

It has been my privilege to work with people with Parkinson’s Disease for the past twelve years.  I was originally asked to speak to the local support group and give a demonstration of Qigong.  Attending that meeting led to my doing an intensive study of Parkinson’s and how it impacts individuals.  As a Medical Exercise Specialist, I developed an exercise program for working on stimulating neurons.  That program has evolved over the years.  When I saw how well people were responding to using Smoveys, I decided to incorporate them in our weekly program.  They have been a big hit.  Most everyone who is using them feels that they are helping in slowing the progression of their disease.  Besides, they have fun using them!  

Carol A. Witham, Certified Medical Exercise Specialist

http://www.carolawitham.com

withamcarola@gmail.com