flexibility. The system also allows users to incorporate high-impact plyometric exercises, suspension, resistance band, turbo bar and compression training into their routines without moving to another piece of equipment. “It’s huge for fitness,” gushes Goldmacher. Impressed with these results, Bertolo has partnered with Goldmacher to spread the message to health-care profession-als across Canada. His strategy is to present the concept to health-care trade shows and professional conferences and raise awareness of the benefits offered by vertical training for fitness and rehabilitative objectives. As a believer that exercise therapy plays an important A CHIROPRACTOR’S PERSPECTIVE Toronto chiropractor Dr. Duilio Bertolo views the system’s ap-role in health and modifying pain behaviour, as well as plication in fitness and rehab as something of a game changer. facilitating recovery from acute injury, Bertolo insists that “When I was introduced to the FitWall by the owner/inventor, the FitWall fits perfectly into his own rehab program and Doug Brendle, I was a skeptic” says Dr. Bertolo. “As he took me personal philosophy, with the capability of getting his most through a standard workout, I could feel my entire muscular pain-focused patients active. He views the system as a tool system engage. My heart rate and respiration rates were increas-that allows him to encourage active participation in his most ing. It was physically challenging and I found myself compet-difficult patients. ing against the wall, to master it. As I mastered one movement, “The FitWall has allowed me to integrate active therapy Doug had another one for me to add on. It was frustrating when with patients who would otherwise be averse to traditional I had to get off the wall to rest. The intensity of the exercise truly exercise modalities, in a pain-free, goal-focused (with respect engaged my whole body as well as my mind. The movements to increased muscle endurance, strength and tissue healing) proved to be a fantastic total metabolic workout. I immediately manner,” he opines. “FitWall has allowed me to promote im-wanted one in my home and workout facility.” proved muscular strength/endurance, improved performance of activities of daily living and improved compliance with patients. To date patients that have used the FitWall have realized “Patients have realized health gains without health gains without the superimposed the superimposed pain-focused behaviours pain-focused behaviours that often limit a patient from engaging and/or participating that often limit a patient from engaging in exercise therapy.” and/or participating in exercise therapy.” And though further research is required, he believes that using the FitWall when performing vertical trainingexercise-based rehabilitation therapy “can effectively allow an individual to HOW IT WORKS Bertolo says he finds that vertical training tends to encour-exercise injured muscle tissue without adding to the ill-effects age more muscle activation, as well as concomitantly de-of joint compression and subsequent effects of increased pain crease the dynamic forces applicable to joint compression that ground-based exercise can often contribute to with an that often limit the injured patient in performing ground-ailing patient.” In addition to furnished, private change rooms, FitWall’s based exercise. To illustrate, he cites a hypothetical patient with a history new Toronto studio comes complete with gold-pearlized Fit-of lumbar spine pain, be it a strain-or sprain-type injury, or a Walls with personal attached valets for the user’s water bottle, more serious annular tear in the lumbar disc with the poten-keys, wallet, mobile phone and jacket. “We do not offer ex-tial for prolapse. “Up till now,” he says, “the types of exercises ercise classes in which the user will waste valuable time, but that have most often been prescribed had looked to engage rather small group sessions with the support of a certified the core musculature, including the transverse abdominals, FitWall trainer and technology to ensure that users are getting lumbar paraspinals, multifidus and oblique muscles, to name optimal exercise experience,” notes Goldmacher. The FitWall a few. They have always consisted of ground-based, horizon-monitoring system works to maximize one’s workout and give tally performed exercises that often added to increased com-immediate feedback.” The idea of vertical training, according to Bertolo, is still pressive forces and stresses on the joints of the lumbar spine. But what if we could strengthen the musculature of the lum-in its infancy. “It is a new modality just entering the realm of bar spine and its associated muscles in a more efficient, ef-rehabilitative medicine. The FitWall needs to be put through fective and safer manner? FitWall can address this problem.” the rigours of high-quality scientific studies to substantiate In another example, one of Bertolo’s patients who suffered the benefits of its use in the health-care field as an active from longstanding central spinal canal stenosis underwent therapy modality. Currently, preliminary results are promis-ing, and FitWall has already achieved a high level of satisfac-spinal decompression surgery last year. “She commenced post-operative FitWall training two to tion among patients who have had the opportunity to use three times a week over a six-week period with specific focus it. Decreased joint pain, improved muscular strength and on core strength inclusive of lumbar paraspinal strength and endurance, increased ability to perform ADL’s and improved endurance. In this practitioner’s opinion, this patient was able compliance, are all buzzwords that patients have been using to recover faster and resume her activities of daily living as as benefits of the FitWall. In the near future, we look to sub-well as improve her overall muscular strength and endurance stantiate FitWall’s use not only through subjective reports but through objective, high-quality scientific research.” • as a result of the FitWall.” 24 • CANADiAN CHiROPRACTOR | APRiL 2013 www.canadianchiropractor.ca
Chiropractic + Naturopathic Doctor April 2013: Page 24
