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John Schaeffer, MFS, MSS, MPN, is known as a trainer's trainer. As a former professional kick–boxer and five-time world champion power lifter, he knows the world of competitive sports; and with over 30 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, he also an expert on using nutrition, weight management and sports conditioning to give his clients a competitive edge.

For the last three years, he has relied on the Infratonic 8000 in his treatment and conditioning regimens with his clients. We had the opportunity to ask him about his practice, Winning Factor (Shillington, Penn.), and how he's using Infratonic Therapy to ensure the ultimate in sports conditioning success.

Can you describe your background and current practice?
As a professor for the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), I travel around the country, teaching certification courses for Certified Fitness Trainers, Specialists in Sports Conditioning, Specialists in Performance Nutrition, and Specialists in Fitness Therapy.

Today, through Winning Factor, I also coach about 50 high-level athletes across 26 countries — a group that includes Olympians, professional fighters and Hollywood celebrities, as well as college and high school athletes.

My Olympic athletes include Apolo Anton Ohno (two-time Olympian and five-time Olympic medalist), Allison Baver (two-time Olympian and current National Short Track Champion), and Giddeon Massie (two-time Olympian and current Sprint Cycling Champion).

Do you work with teenagers?
I work with athletes of all ages — from about eight years old through their 70s — so I serve a full spectrum of people. The nice thing about the Infratonic 8000 is that it's completely safe to use for teens.

How did you first discover the Infratonic 8000?
About three years ago, I first purchased the device to help in my training of heavyweight boxer Jameel McCline for a Pay-Per-View fight at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. I used the Infratonic 8000 to treat his numerous bumps and bruises that are typical during training and sparring in preparation for a boxing match. I was really impressed with the results. The device helped him recover from the day-to-day abuse a professional fighter goes through in preparation of a boxing match.

After three years of continuous use with my clients, I'm still finding numerous applications for which the Infratonic Therapy is very useful. I've been using the device on a very broad scope ever since.

What are some of the unique challenges relating to sports medicine, and how does the Infratonic 8000 help?
In the area of sports conditioning, my clients are frequently running into cases of inflammation, swelling, bruising and even slight muscle tears. I use the Infratonic 8000 to treat all these issues, as well as the reduction of scar tissue and adhesions. I also use it in combination with proper nutrition to accelerate healing of small, hairline fractures, and as part of a respiratory treatment that increases lung function (gas exchange) to increase endurance during competition.

Obviously, when I'm dealing with world-class athletes, I'm looking for any completely natural edge I can get. If I can increase my client's physical recovery or regeneration — or eliminate even a slight injury that may hamper their performance in half the time as another treatment — then I'm going to use that system. That's why I use the Infratonic 8000.

How, exactly, do you use the Infratonic 8000 in your practice?
I don't have a standard protocol because I use it slightly differently with each of my clients. I've used it to treat everything from minor muscle pulls and bruises to ear infections, chronic pain issues, arthritis, tendonitis and ligament issues. Sometimes one of our athletes will get a little fiber strain or a tear, and after 24 hours of ice therapy, the Infratonic 8000 helps clear it up really fast. The application is very broad.

One thing I use it for quite often is body detoxification before a competition or event. The Infratonic 8000 helps flush clients' bodies of lactic build-up from their strenuous training activities and recover their whole system from any aches and pains.

Can you describe your sports detox protocol?
Essentially, I apply the Infratonic 8000 to different body meridians for 15-20 minutes each. I start with the chest meridian (solar plexus) to help release and flush out any fluid in the chest and lungs. Then, I typically apply the device to a point under the foot to promote better leg circulation, and another point in the palm of the hand to detoxify the wrists and arms. During that process, I have the athlete drink about 64 ounces of water over the course of an hour to flush out the lactic acid that the device is breaking down. (See sidebar)

What do your clients say about your use of the Infratonic 8000?
They think that what we do is absolutely awesome because athletes who don't have this technology simply can't keep up with us in terms of recovery from sports injuries. Again, I don't just use it for sports injuries and problems; I also use it for physical regeneration and recovery, which is just as critical as the actual training activities themselves.

What would you tell your colleagues about Infratonic Therapy?
As a sports conditioning specialist who handles a variety of high-end clients, I am extremely cautious about endorsing any particular products and if I do, you can be sure they are the real deal. The Infratonic 8000 therapeutic massager is one of the most impressive therapy tools I have ever encountered.

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