Aspects of therapy:
An alternative to conventional gait training using parallel bars and walking aids is to retrain the gait of neurologically impaired clients by progressive weight bearing during treadmill locomotion. This approach trains the three components of gait: weight bearing, balance and stepping simultaneously under dynamic conditions.
Treadmill training uses repetitive motion to teach the legs how to walk again. The
neurologically impaired person is suspended in a harness above a treadmill; this
reduces the weight the legs will have to bear. As the treadmill begins to move, the
therapists move the person’s legs in a walking pattern. The theory behind this work
is that paralysis causes “learned non-
Research from America, Germany, Switzerland and Canada, notes that the spinal cord itself appears to act like a small brain and is thus capable of controlling ambulation. The spinal cord makes many routine decisions about the correct way to walk. When the neurologically impaired person is retrained to walk, both the brain and spinal cord figure out new ways to do it.
Treadmill training, regardless of time elapsed since onset of the injury, does lead
to improved recovery of locomotion in the neurologically impaired by improving the
ability of the client to bear weight through the affected lower limbs during the
loading phase of the gait cycle; it also has the potential to improve muscle strength
and to enhance cardiorespiratory fitness.
Flexibility training involves a planned, deliberate and regular programme of exercises that can permanently and progressively increase the useable range of motion of a joint or a set of joints over a period of time. Therapeutic muscle stretching is performed by a therapist for clients with dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.
An increase in the range of motion of joints can reduce pain, stiffness, improve posture and maximise motor function. Maintaining joint flexibility prevents the development of contractures and also tends to decrease spasticity.
theraMAX does not merely concentrate on strengthening the muscles unaffected by paralysis,
instead emphasis is placed on gaining function and strength from the weaker, or "paralysed"
muscles. This can be achieved by a progressive programme of 'weight-
The overload principle is used in strength and endurance development. This implies that an activity must be upgraded to a consistently higher level through maximum or near maximum stimulation. For this training to be effective, the amount of work should be increased as the body adapts to the growing demands placed on the system.
Individual difference implies the need for individualised exercise programmes -
Gait re-
Conventional methods of learning to walk in parallel bars or with the aid of assistive
devices are used. Gait therapy starts by teaching you to weight bear and then to
master the skills of controlling the muscles that support and move your hips and
legs. Emphasis is placed on re-
Just like the rest of your body, your heart and lungs need exercise; they too have
to work hard in order to improve their strength. For an aerobic workout – one that
targets your heart and lungs, you have to work the large muscles of your body vigorously
and hard enough to get your heart and breathing rate up. theraMAX uses custom designed
exercise equipment. One such piece of equipment allows the arms and legs to be used
simultaneously, e.g. stronger arms power weaker legs or visa versa. Unlike the conventional
exercise machines, the equipment used at theraMAX allows an overall body work out
using large muscle groups. Using this piece of exercise equipment regularly can enhance
physical fitness and overall well-
As the hand is one of our greatest tools, the work done in the hand gym is of particular importance to clients that have lost, or who have limited use of their hands. The hand gym is designed to help regain functional use of the hands by massage, manipulation, exercises and training specifically for the hands, wrists and lower arms.
Trophic Electrical Stimulation
Trophic electrical stimulation (TES) is applied to the muscle with the specific purpose of influencing the metabolic pathway, thus feeding and aiding the nutritional development and growth of muscle.
TES starts by rebuilding the deep base layers of muscle (the red muscle fibres). These muscles are aerobic in nature meaning that they rely on oxygen to function. It is the deep layer of the muscle that holds the key to the protection of our joints, ligaments and tendons to prevent injury. These muscles are the first to breakdown in situations of pain, swelling, lack of use or in cases of complete disruption of the nerve supply.
Use of the TES can decrease muscle tension, reduce spasticity, pain and stiff joints. Furthermore it will assist to improve muscle tone, prevent pressure sores, and allow venous return from legs, warm feet, decrease swelling to hands and feet.
The Orthotics Clinic gives you the support you need from off-
Whatever your requirements, the Orthotic Clinic will advise you on the best possible solution.
Our orthotic products include; braces and supports, bespoke orthosis, bespoke insoles for the improvement of balance and correction of foot deformities and a fitting service for bespoke and orthopaedic shoes.
Involves the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, resulting in therapeutic benefits to the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. The techniques used stimulate the flow of body fluids, break up adhesion and diminish tension. It can compensate, in part for lack of exercise and muscular contraction in persons who, through injury, illness or age are forced to remain inactive.
Key benefits of therapeutic Massage include:
· Stimulation of the blood supply, allowing removal of stored toxins in the muscles
· Reduction of pain by calming the peripheral nervous system
· Improved joint mobility through toning and relaxing muscles
· Tissue repair
· Easing of tension and stiffness
