Unlock the Secrets of the Bosu Ball
You’re a seasoned physical therapist.
I’m guessing that you have probably heard about the BOSU Ball.
If not…read on. This blog post is a great introduction for you.
Here are a few tips about the BOSU ball.
First, what does BOSU mean?
It’s an acronym for “Both Side Utilized” or you may hear “Both Sides Up”.
“Both Sides Up” came first but has now morphed into “Both Sides Utilized”. Okay, so that’s kind of a cool acronym, but what exactly does that really mean?
It means that the BOSU Balance Trainer could be used on either side, the dome or the platform.
Both Sides Up referred to the idea that the BOSU could be used on either side, the dome or the platform.
Both Sides Utilized has evolved into a mindful approach to exercise and physical therapy that goes beyond the traditional programs. This is grounded with exercise science and proven in real-world application.
Therapy with the BOSU is centered in expanding movement capabilities, reshaping bodies while strengthening minds. It’s about putting thought into movement.
Although this might make it sound like the BOSU is some sort of esoteric, “mumbo jumbo” device…
It is a relatively new and progressive tool in the physical therapy world, but the BOSU should not be lumped in the “johnny-come-lately” pile.
Here is a quick look at the BOSU ball in action in a physical therapy facility:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtJsXBNrPNM
That’s just one short example of the BOSU ball in action.
We love the BOSU balance ball and could definitely talk about it all day. But we will let some professionals do the talking for us. Check out what physical therapists and other healthcare professionals had to say about it:
Dr. William D. Harrison
Performance Fundamentals Inc. – Laguna Beach, CA
“As a sports performance specialist for 30 years, I believe the BOSU Balance Trainer will become a required “necessity” for every team, motivated athlete, etc. to use in their training. Because of the important role of “body equilibrium” in all human performance, I’ve always recognized it was the limiting skill for most athletes that prevented them from reaching great heights. Well, that won’t be the case any more. More than ever before, the sky is the limit. Furthermore, the BOSU Balance Trainer has an exceptional future as a key product used in all child development programs and I believe it should be in every home.”
Greg Myer, MS, CSCS, Sports Biomechanist
Human Performance Laboratory/Sports Medicine Biodynamics Center Cincinnati Children’s Hospital – Cincinnati, OH
“The BOSU Balance Trainer has become an integral tool for the core strengthening and balance training component of our training programs. Its versatility has eliminated the need for wobble boards or Swiss balls. The BOSU Balance Trainer can be beneficial to any performance enhancement/injury prevention protocol.”
RICHARD BRODY, M.D.
MID-HUDSON FAMILY HEALTH INSTITUTE – NEW YORK, NY
“I have been training with the BOSU Balance Trainer for approximately 6 months and have noticed remarkable results in terms of skeletal muscle strengthening, balance enhancement, and coordination. As a physician as well as fitness enthusiast, I have found the BOSU Balance Trainer to be an integral part of my conditioning program. Based on my own experience, I routinely recommend the BOSU Balance Trainer to my patients for orthopedic rehabilitation as well as a general exercise tool. I am also a recreational skier for the last 18 years and have performed better on the slopes this year than ever before. I attribute this largely to the BOSU Balance Trainer, and thus I can see why the U.S. Ski Team has endorsed it. This is truly a breakthrough device.”
LAUREL MARY BROWN, LCSW-C, CPT
“I want to tell you about the wonderful experiences I have had using the BOSU Balance Trainer with seriously emotionally disturbed children. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Personal Trainer employed by a mid-sized private psychiatric hospital. We have many different programs, but my experience relates to our school program where we serve over 100 children ages 6 through 20 suffering from severe mental illness, emotional disturbances, and learning disabilities.
It occurred to me that rather than using traditional talk therapies with children, it would be better to get them to directly experience the desired state, and then teach them to expand upon that experience. Children with Attention Deficit, Depression, Anxiety spectrum disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress (for example) suffer in some sense from the same problem: they are not “present”, and this creates huge problems for them and the people who love them. I have found that the quickest way to get a child to experience being totally and fully present is to engage the proprioceptive sense- and the best way to do that is with a BOSU Balance Trainer!
I have successfully used the BOSU Balance Trainer to create what Dan Millman describes as an experience of “Instant Satori” for my clients. It is very dramatic to watch: they get on and balance, maybe close their eyes, perhaps stand on one foot, and over and over again I’ve watched as the expression of radiant joy spreads over their faces: they are experiencing, usually for the first time in their lives, being totally present. Traditional therapy could go on for years without ever getting a client to the point where they actually are able to directly experience a healthier mental state, but it typically takes less than five minutes on a BOSU Balance Trainer.
I believe that using the BOSU Balance Trainer switches children over to using their proprioceptive sense, and instantly, their minds stop racing, anxiety dissipates, they are focused and in the present. Once they experience this, I work with them to expand the experience using the BOSU Balance Trainer, and ultimately to transfer the experience to other situations. I believe this technique allows them to create new and better neural pathways in the brain.
Let me make it very clear that BOSU Balance Trainers are FUN! Even Conduct Disorder, Oppositional- Defiant, Asperger’s kids, and disgruntled teenagers love getting on a BOSU Balance Trainer. I have used them with kids that weigh 40 lbs. and kids that weigh over 300 lbs., from ages 6 through 19- they all enjoy being on a BOSU Balance Trainer. This is by far the most fun, flexible and useful piece of equipment I have ever used.
I am so impressed with the results I am seeing that I am going to make a prediction: In 20 years people will be looking back and shaking their heads in disbelief that we ever thought that medication and talk therapy was sufficient to create real healing in the mentally ill. I believe that the fastest way to still the negative effects of the mind is to move the body, and that we can use the BOSU Balance Trainer to create better physical, emotional, and mental health.”
Jeanne F. Nichols, Ph.D. Dept. of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences
San Diego State University – San Diego, CA
“Researchers in the Department of Exercise & Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University conducted a pilot study to determine the efficacy of the BOSU Balance Trainer for improving muscular strength and balance in adults of various ages. Field measurements of static and dynamic balance, as well as abdominal strength, showed improvements ranging up to 31% after just a four-week program. A randomized, and larger controlled study is now underway to provide even more clinically meaningful information regarding the potential benefit of the BOSU Balance Trainer for strengthening the core musculature and improving balance.”
DANIEL JON EVANS, M.ED., ATC HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER
HAVERFORD COLLEGE, HAVERFORD, PA
“The BOSU Balance Trainer has become a great addition to our ever growing balance course. We have been able to incorporate the BOSU Balance Trainer into every rehab program no matter what the body part, and every injured athlete has seen the benefit of the BOSU Balance Trainer. I did also want to let you know that the BOSU Balance Trainer is the first item that my three year old plays with when he visits me at work.”
Does this sound exciting to you?
Keep an eye for an amazing offer that we are going to roll out soon. You just might be able to get a BOSU ball cheaper than you thought!
But hey, we promised you some BOSU ball ninja tips in the beginning of the article so here you go:
1. How to get on a BOSU ball safely:
2. This a great video by Boston Physical Therapy. It is a new look on the old theory that you should “take it easy” or “just stay off of it” after an Injury.
3. The BOSU Ball can be a great tool for physical therapists to use in ankle rehab. Check this out:
And if you still want more videos we have another great post on the BOSU ball here: https://solostep.com/bosu-ball-videos/