Whole Body Vibration
Whole body vibration is a passive exercise modality, rather than the person actively engaging in an activity, such as walking, weight lifting, or swimming. With WBVT users lay, sit, or stand on a platform that vibrates rapidly. The idea is that the rapid vibrations force the muscles of the body to contract in reaction, providing a form of exercise. WBVT associated with increases in muscle mass and bone mass and density, improving mobility, increases in strength, and improvements in spasticity and walking speed, with no side effects. Results from numerous studies suggest that whole body vibration is an excellent treatment technique to increase overall motor function in kids with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and general balance/coordination deficits.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is simply the use of a horse as a tool during physical, occupational or speech therapy sessions. Equine movement provides multidimensional movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The horse provides a dynamic base of support, making it an excellent tool for increasing trunk strength and control, balance, building overall postural strength and endurance, addressing weight bearing, and motor planning. The horse’s walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic, and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse’s gait enables the therapist to adjust the degree of sensory input to the patient, and then utilize this movement in combination with other treatment strategies to achieve desired results. Patients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable experience in a natural setting.
Interactive Metronome
The Interactive Metronome (IM) is a tool that “measures & improves Neurotiming, or the synchronization of neural impulses within key brain networks for cognitive, communicative, sensory & motor performance.” Using a computer and trigger switch technology, the participant engages a switch in time with a synchronized metronome beat (i.e., clapping, tapping the switch). The IM provides auditory and visual feedback to the participant, encouraging them to correct their timing to the millisecond. Neurotiming is beneficial for attention, motor performance, executive function, self-regulation, expressive and receptive language and many other areas of concern. The IM can be beneficial for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder and many more. See the IM website, interactivemetronome.com for more information.
IMOT – Intensive Model of Therapy
The Intensive Model of Therapy, or IMOT, is a therapeutic approach to treating children and adults with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders. Kids In Motion therapists utilize the IMOT by treating patients 2-4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 full weeks. The popularity of the IMOT is spreading throughout the U.S. as patients, therapists, and doctors continue to see the outstanding results. The 4 week intensive program is centered on using specialized equipment as well as techniques to maximize results in a short burst of time.
In theUS children typically receive therapy services 1-2 hours per week. That is only 50-100 hours per year. At Kids In Motion our intensive therapy program is 80 hours of therapy in just one month. The results produced are typically quite remarkable often attaining one or two developmental skills in that short burst of time that may have taken a full year to achieve otherwise.
Our program features specially trained techniques to prepare their body’s muscles, muscle tone and neurological system to learn new or corrected patterns of movement and gain function. We can work on any developmental goal from head control, rolling, sitting, standing to high level balance and walking in our highly effective IMOT program.
Our program centers on use of the NeuroSuit™ which is applied over the patient’s clothing and interconnected with specifically applied bungee type bands. These bands apply strategic compression to create a dynamic exoskeleton creating a more upright posture and instant increase in body awareness, called proprioception. Specific exercises are incorporated for decreasing pathological reflexes, increasing strength, range of motion and endurance, influencing muscle tone and flexibility, and teaching new motor patterns by creating engrams through repetitions in correct alignment. It really is remarkable what people are achieving in our IMOT program.
We also utilize exercises in the Universal Exercise Units which provide dynamic balance, endurance training, isolation of specific muscle groups for strengthening and motor planning and the ability to stand with partial weight bearing and therefore less assistance. The smile on every child’s face in the Universal Exercise Units is heartwarming.
A customized program for every patient that varies the duration, intensity, and the tools they use during their month long intensive program will be determined on an individual basis depending on the patient’s diagnosis, age, endurance level and any underlying medical conditions.
We also offer:
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy both at our clinic and in home.