About theraMAX

Clients attend theraMAX for an initial period, which usually lasts for twelve weeks. During this time individual programmes using specialised equipment are developed to give over-all body conditioning and specific attention to clients needs. During the twelve weeks, clients attend the rehab-gym 5 days a week to receive intensive exercise therapy on a one-to-one basis, each therapy session lasts 3-4 hours. theraMAX is not a medical establishment. During the therapy sessions the, clients may participate in the following aspects of therapy as deemed appropriate by the client and therapist.

 

· Treadmill therapy

· Strength training

· Gait re-education  

· Trophic electrical stimulation

· Remedial massage  

 

Rehabilitation Potential

Most people who have been affected by paralysis are told not to expect improvement after the first few weeks or months. As a consequence, individuals become resigned to their situations and don’t take the steps that might promote and enhance continued improvement.  

Recent evidence suggests that recovery of sensation, movement and changes in function can occur years after paralysis. This is an extremely important message because today, people that have been affected by paralysis should not simply accept their situations but should continue to work toward recovery.  

On a system of regular and progressive exercise aimed at optimising fitness and functional mobility theraMAX helps to improve physical and psychological well being amongst individuals with paralysis and therefore assists them in attaining their true rehabilitation potential.

 

Many studies have shown that even after paralysis, activity will change how the nerves and muscles work. What the brain and spinal cord can learn is very dependent on what is practiced.  theraMAX provides an expert coach or trainer (the therapist) and plenty of opportunity for intensive practice of exercises which are essential to regain functional motor performance.

One on one therapy, repetition and extensive practice are critical to motor learning and key to the therapy provided at theraMAX

 

Aim of the therapy

The aim of the therapy provided by theraMAX is to empower the individual to develop their full physical potential.

Physical potential is achieved by affecting and driving the recovery process rather than merely enabling the individual to make the most of what is left after the lesion. The recovery process is driven by the person learning how to perform actions and processes that were performed with ease pre-lesion.

Participation in the rehabilitation programme inevitably leads to the well-established general benefits of activity on health and well being (on cardiovascular function, bone density, etc). Furthermore, participation will also lead to the recovery of function.

Recovery, however limited, raises an important point.

Often, what able-bodied people consider functional may be very different from what a spinal cord injured person considers functional or life improving. Although substantial time may be required to affect small changes in sensation and movement, those changes are likely to have an enormous beneficial impact on individuals with severe injuries, both psychologically and in their ability to be more independent. For example, improved circulation and bone density reduces skin breakdowns, infections, bone fractures and hospitalisation. As a consequence, health care costs are reduced and the client benefits emotionally and physically.

 

 

· Orthotics clinic

· Hand gym

· Cardiovascular training

· Flexibility training