Rehab

The Woggler and its programs are designed to accomplish dynamic, functional training. There are two unique features about the Woggler relative to its functional design. One is the restriction to the forward-backward tilting motion. Unlike other devices used for proprioception, the Woggler allows most persons who suffer imparities resulting in very low levels of balance to mount the product without being dumped in all directions. Balance development with the Woggler emulates more perfectly “real life experience”, in which you begin with stability standing on the floor and challenge balance with motion and weight transfer. The attachment of the rods serves as stabilizers for those who have lower levels of balance.

Our rug provides distinct cues for both patient and therapist to realize progress and achievement. The Woggler is truly a revolutionary new product that reaches the special needs of proprioception in your rehab protocol. It brings fun and excitement and contributes to the positive attitude so necessary to the success of your rehab program. Second, the motion experienced while walking the Woggler provides a variety of outstanding benefits. Many testify that they are experiencing strength and wellness in their knees and ankles while walking the Woggler. The muscle groups, joints and tendons are directly affected by the rocking and twisting motion produced by the Woggler. This rocking and twisting motion actually amplifies the movement of the entire body resulting in core stabilization, trunk rotation and joint and limb strength development. With our attachments and accessories as well as our curriculum we target the entire body to accomplish dynamic functional training. This conjunctive and concurrent development has evolved to become our goal for fitness and wellness. We call it “CORE HARMONY”. CORE HARMONY can be understood in this simple formula: Strength + Balance+ Agility = Control.

The Woggler has made its way as part of the protocol for many rehab settings and facilities throughout the nation. We invite you to read the testimonies of just a few of our satisfied customers. More importantly we invite you to become a part of the Woggler and CORE HARMONY program.

Specific Applications

I. Proprioception

1. Extreme Disabilities
   1. (It is important before beginning to determine the level of disability)
      With extreme disabilities, parallel bars are very helpful. By placing the rug inside the parallel bars, you can create a visible means for measuring progress
   2. The Woggler targets several issues that are important to the recovery of normal movement and function.
      1. Stepping exercises climbing up and down from the Woggler while holding to the parallel bars targets issues of strength and control.
      2. Learning to take a step amplifies the necessary issues for mobility.
      3. Incorporating the use of the rug targets the aspect of visual perception while judging distance and coming down at a given point.
2. Low levels of Balance
   1. After determining the level of disability and need it may be advisable to begin with a harness to control the severity of a fall. Extreme attention must be given to this stage of disability so as to predict and assist where there is a loss of control.
   2. This level of proprioception should begin with the assistance of the Woggler rods which serves as a means of security and control for low levels of balance and apprehensive beginners.
   3. The rug serves as a great tool for measuring achievement as well as determining a point in progress to remove the Woggler rods and begin at a new level.
3. Moderate proprioception
   1. It is the responsibility of the therapist to determine the severity of the need and at what point the patient is ready to use the Woggler without helps. After determining the patient to be ready for this level of proprioception, it is important to maintain strict attention to your patient to predict and assist should they begin to lose control. There are occasions when it would be most appropriate to use a harness for safety.
   2. Initially the therapist should walk close beside the patient to offer them the security that comes when there is a shoulder or a hand available for assistance.
   3. Progress and achievement can be realized by both patient and therapist by conquering the progressive challenges of the rug.
4. Final stage of rehab development is accomplished when the patient is able to maintain balance and control while conjunctively executing external challenges such as catching and receiving medicine balls or swinging the core ball side to side. Dumbbell weights also can be used for this purpose.

II. Discovering and Strengthening the Weak Side

1. Have the patient mount the Woggler on the rug with the Woggler already in start position. Instruct them to disregard both the patterns on the rug and the rug itself and “just practice walking”. Most times a consistent pattern will be discovered with the patient moving either to the right or to the left. The line down the middle of the rug serves as a point of reference for observing patients during this exercise.
2. The pyramid of dots are provided as a means for correcting this problem to bring strength and equality to the weak side (notice the instructions given in the basic instructions for accessories and the rug).

III. Core Strength Development/Trunk Rotation

1. Standing on the Woggler.
   1. Dumbbell weights lifted straight above the head while flexing your core and bringing the weights first to the right side and back to neutral position and then to the left side and back to neutral position.
   2. Dumb bell weights held in each hand straight out from each side while twisting the core from side to side. The core ball can be used in similar fashion to target the core muscles and increase trunk rotation.
   3. The stepping/twisting motion produced by walking vigorously on the Woggler and coughing every other step activates the transversus abdominus.
2. Using the Woggler with the Hand Grip attachment.
   1. In a pushup position beginning on your knees, flex your core body first toward the floor as far as you can, secondly toward the ceiling as far as you can to build strength and range of motion
   2. When you are able go to a full push-up position repeat the same exercise as above.
   3. Grasp the grips connected to the Woggler, stand facing a wall at an arm’s length distance from the wall then extend your arms straight out in front and place the feet of the Woggler against the wall. The objective of this exercise is to walk the Woggler up and down the wall as high and as low as possible. Now step back 6 inches and attempt to walk up and down the wall again.

IV. Joint and Limb strength development

1. Ankles Woggler---The walking/twisting motion while walking with the Woggler strengthens the ankles as a preventive exercise against sprained ankles or as a post injury means for rehabilitation. ** It is important that you do not walk the Woggler with your ankles and knees locked in. Flex your knees and twist your ankles deliberately for the greatest benefit.
2. Knees
   1. Woggler---Concurrently the knees will benefit from the same exercises which have shown to be of great benefit to ankles.
      1. Walk the Woggler. Twisting and stretching the joint again must be a deliberate exercise while bending the knees and twisting the ankles.
      2. Squats on the Woggler strengthen knees with the added benefit of proprioception.
      3. Standing weight shift on the Woggler in a stationary position shifting your bodyweight so that it is all on the right leg and then all on the left leg. Hold each position for five seconds. Again there is the added benefit of proprioception with this knee strengthening exercise.
   2. Woggler Bungee Cords ---This attachment serves as a great tool for strengthening the knees. After curling the handles over your shoulders use the resistance of the bungee cords to intensify the exercise of knee bends. For an added feature place the knee pads under the feet of the Woggler to create greater instability.
3. Shoulders
   1. Woggler Hand Grips. The hand grips serves as a good tool, as you walk the Woggler with your hands on the rug in a kneeling position. Walking the pyramid of dots has great benefit for increasing range of motion. Also walking the Woggler up and down the wall creates mobility and exercise to the shoulder area.
   2. Woggler Bungee Cords. This attachment is used in a variety of exercises that targets the shoulders concurrently with other joints and muscles.
      1. Stretch the bungee cords straight in front of you and /or stretch to the side.
      2. Cross the bungee cords to target even more muscle groups.
      3. Rotator cuff exercises utilize the bungee cord detached from the Woggler by inserting the thumb in the large opening off the connecting portion and grasping the lower portion with your same hand. Throw the handle behind your back and grasp with the other hand. Practice stretching the cord behind your back by pulling your hands in opposite directions.
      4. Power Swing Trainer is another bungee cord attachment. When the Power Swing Trainer is attached to the Woggler swing the handle as if it were a golf club. If there is a particular side that you are working with mount the Power Swing Trainer on the opposite side or turn the Woggler around before mounting.
4. Wrists----Woggler Power Swing Trainer. There are a variety of exercises that target the rehab needs relative to the wrist. Simply slip the bottom portion of the Power Swing Trainer over the main frame of the Woggler until it is in the center. Disregard the connecting portion of the Power Swing Trainer, allowing the bungee cord to make contact with the Woggler. Proceed with exercises that target the desired benefits.
   1. Extension/Flexion– After mounting the Woggler with the handle in a horizontal position lift the handle until there is a gentle resistance from the bungee cords. Now work your wrists up and down utilizing the resistance of the bungee cord. Palms down for extension and palms up for flexion. To intensify this exercise lift the hands higher to increase the resistance of the bungee cord.
   2. Wrist Extension/Flexion—Hold the handle in golf club position lifting the point of the handle up and down as far as you can. Repeat this motion several times.
   3. Wrist Pronation/Supination---This exercise is accomplished holding the handle with a single hand. After creating a gentle pull on the bungee cord, twist your wrist in a similar motion as you would while twisting the knob on a door. First one direction and then the other. First the left and then the right hand.

V. Other possible applications

1. Parkinsons—Applications to Parkinsons can be low and high level. Basic weight shifting is a good starting point and depending on progression of the condition can include walking with the Woggler. Therapists should use clinical judgment for patient safety, progress, and patient willingness to use the product.
2. Back Stabilization—The Woggler is a great back stabilization tool. A wide variety of exercises can be performed using the device and can take the patient, in our opinion, to a higher level of core harmony. The following are possible applications, but again applications are not limited to these alone but by the creative application of the therapist.
   1. Standing weight shifting with good posture, tight abs, tight gluts.
   2. Standing with arms to side with good posture and perform abd of arms overhead.
   3. Standing and throwing a ball
   4. Standing and with good posture, tight abs, tight gluts, and perform horizontal abd/add.
   5. Marching in place with good posture, etc.
   6. Marching in place with good posture, etc. and alt. arms.
   7. Marching in place with good posture, etc., and alt. arms.
   8. Sit to stands
   9. Quadraped weight shifts with arms on handgrips.
   10. Knees on pads with good posture, etc. and hands overhead.
   11. Knees on pads with good posture, etc. arch/flatten back
3. ACL and other ligamentous recoveries—May be applicable 4-5 weeks sooner or later depending on application. Look at protocol of the orthopedist whose patient you are working with and work appropriately.
4. CVA—Application should be to patient according to clinical judgment of therapist. Low level could be basic weight shifting with good posture and advance to marching in place or various challenges. High level could be various challenges and include attempted ambulation.
5. Piriformis syndrome—Application can be varied but simple 90 degree steps varying the height and cadence might help. Use clinical judgment according to patient response.