Getting Back on Track
In 2000, Swedish doctor Erland Beselin began experimenting with the pain relieving capabilities of ceramic textiles — inspired by the ancient Chinese practice of applying heated marble stone and baked clay to aching muscles.
Combining this ancient therapy with modern scientific textile technology, Beselin created a range of products, under the brand name Back on Track, to help people, horses and dogs achieve a more active and comfortable lifestyle.
Back on Track products are manufactured from polyester and polypropylene fibers fused with ceramic powder. The ceramic particles reflect body heat in the form of long-wave heat radiation that both stimulates activity within body molecules and promotes blood flow.
Long-wave heat radiation is scientifically proven to increase blood circulation in joint and muscle tissues which helps to relieve tension and improve performance. When the ceramic particles absorb the body’s own heat radiation, they expel heat of a specific wavelength, which is based on the long-wave infrared zone of the thermal radiation spectrum. The wavelength that the ceramic particles emit is absorbed in the tissue’s cells. A signal is sent to the brain that heat energy has increased, to which the brain opens up the veins. The absorption happens in the skin and also deeper down in the tissue, making the veins wider not only superficially, but also in the muscles and around the joints. As a result, the increased blood circulation in the tissues relieves muscle tension and strengthens the body’s own ability to reduce inflammation and heal injuries.
By using this effective form of heat therapy in its products, Back on Track has provided pain relief for sufferers of a variety of ailments such as arthritis, post-operative pain, repetitive strain injuries and poor circulation.
Back on Track offers an assortment of products for horses including exercise boots, polo wraps, blankets, neck/head covers, saddle pads, leg wraps, knee/hock boots and bell boots; with the most popular items being the quick wraps and the mesh sheet. In addition human products include ankle braces, sock/shoe insoles, back braces, neck covers, boxer shorts, long johns, elbow/wrist braces, gloves, scarves, knee/calf braces, mini-blankets, mattress overlays, T-shirts and long sleeve shirts. The company also sells a line of dog products as well which include blankets, leg/hock wraps and travel beds.
No matter where you, your horse or your dog may be experiencing tension or pain, Back on Track is guaranteed to have a product to help relieve it.
It wasn’t until 2003, however, that Back on Track was first introduced to the U.S.
Bo Lofvander grew up in Sweden and has been around horses all his life. He moved to the U.S. in 1983 and began working as a groom for an American Standardbred trainer. It was during that time that he discovered Back on Track. Interested in the products, Lofvander joined the company and took on the role of developing and promoting the products throughout the U.S.
“We don’t claim it’s a miracle worker but then again some of our customers tell us otherwise,” said Lofvander. “Anyone with aches and pains can benefit from Back on Track products. Customers can really use the products anywhere, depending on their situation, to help increase blood circulation which is the key to relieving muscle pain and soreness.”
Since the company first debuted its products in Wellington, Florida, sales among the U.S. are now higher than any of the other 20+ countries where Back on Track products are sold.
Lofvander contributes his success with the company to his focus on advertising and promoting the products with the help of some of the top riders in the country such as Anne Kursinski, McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Steffen Peters and Tim McQuay just to name a few.
“To me when you start a company, you have to look at the most successful companies, like Nike,” said Lofvander. “What did they do? They get the best athletes to help promote them. That’s what we’ve done here. Our product is meant to make animals and people feel better. Everything from an Olympic level horse and rider to the backyard trail rider; getting them to feel better is our main goal.”
One characteristic that makes Back on Track products unique is their ability to cater to all disciplines and horses and riders of all experience levels.
“I first started promoting the products throughout the Standardbred industry, and then moved on to the jumpers and dressage,” said Lofvander. “Now we’re really starting to explode throughout the western community as well particularly among reining and barrel racing.”
Back on Track is marketed as an all-natural, no drugs included pain reliever. Not only is it beneficial for humans and animals physically but it may also have indirect financial benefits as well.
“Vets have told us that Back on Track products are beneficial because customers don’t have to keep buying more of other pain-reducing products like liniment, poultice and injections as often as they normally would,” said Lofvander.
However, at the same time, Lofvander also suggests not cutting out those products all together either.
“You can use less of it but I wouldn’t eliminate it,” said Lofvander. “It’s always good to switch and use something else every now and then because the body can get adjusted to whatever you’re using. Horses especially can become adjusted to certain products. We tell our customers to give the horses a break every now and then, and later reapply the Back on Track product to see more continuing results and benefits. You will have the best results if you gradually introduce our products to the horse for 2-3 days, to make sure they’re ok with it, afterwards you can use the product 24/7 both during the day and overnight but it’s sometimes best to also take it off every 3-4 days so the horse’s muscles don’t become too adjusted and you stop seeing the results you want.”
Even with all of the success Back on Track has had thus far, the company shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
“We always have new ideas on the pipeline,” said Lofvander. “You can never sit back and think you are finished with a product. We’re constantly striving to improve the quality and better the product as a whole.”
Back on Track plans to release a new rain sheet for horses in February as well as potentially release a new shoulder guard and more T-shirt products for humans later on down the road.
Lofvander is grateful for all of the success and opportunities he has had while working with Back on Track but the greatest reward for him is knowing that his customers are able to live and perform at their best pain free and back on the right track.
“It’s all about helping our customers feel more comfortable,” said Lofvander. “When you feel comfortable, life is a lot easier for you, your horse and your dog — it makes a big difference in your overall happiness and I really love being able to provide that for our customers.”