Therapeutic exercises are implemented creating challenges that allow the child to experience success in normal movement patterns during play and functional activities. Our therapists incorporate sensory-motor techniques with dynamic movement allowing both the neurological and orthopedic systems to be treated together.
One of the most debilitating aspects of many central nervous system (CNS) and musculoskeletal disorders is the loss of the ability to ambulate. There are three main components of locomotion: posture, balance, and coordination. One or more of these components can be affected by a variety of neurologic or musculoskeletal disorders, thus limiting the individual's ability to walk with normal patterns. The Partial Weight Bearing Gait Training technique frees the therapist to facilitate proper gait patterns for patients with even severe gait deficits by providing a safely supported environment for the patient.
Posture
Posture can be affected by a number of musculoskeletal or neurologic disorders. Contractured and/or weak muscles, osteoporotic bones, or displaced joints make the upright posture, necessary for normal walking, difficult or impossible to attain. For example, children with spastic cerebral palsy, with limited range of motion due to shortened muscle-tendon length, are unable to stand upright. The walking patterns developed without proper posture can be inefficient and unsafe.
Balance
When balance is compromised or nonexistent, an individual can either be too afraid, or unable, to walk normally. Impaired walking is often slow and asymmetric. Slow walking rates have high energy requirements and therefore limit the functional use of walking for activities of daily living. This form of walking relies more on sensory feedback and less on automatic processes of the brain and spinal cord.
Coordination
The complex coordination of the legs during locomotion is one of the main output features of the CNS. Most neurologic impairments affecting the brain or spinal cord interfere with coordination of movements especially during gait function. Proper timing of toe-off, heel strike, and weight shifting-as well as bilateral symmetry-are the main goals of gait retraining. However, these parameters are difficult to achieve with the current treatment techniques. A wide range of patients do not receive coordination training for ambulation until late in their rehabilitation process due to present technique limitations. This could limit the patient's long term functional gain.
For More information on the benefits of Lite Gait, please visit their website at www.litegait.com.
