Sunday, August 26, 2007

The Neurosuit at Melanie Massey Physical Therapy

One of the many tools at MMPT’s IMOT team’s disposal is called the Neurosuit. This suit consists of a vest, shorts, modified tennis shoes, fabric knee/elbow pads, head covering and gloves. These suit components are used as anchor points for rubber chords, which are used to perform a number of functions.

With our Physical therapists professional education and experience, he is able to individualize each suit’s configuration to target our client’s various needs. Diagnoses for Neurosuit use.

Many of the following apply to suit use on both children and adults.

· Cerebral Palsy
· Traumatic Brain Injury
· Athetosis
· Hypotonia (low motor tone)
· Hypertonia (spasticity)
· Autism
· Sensory Integration Disturbances
· Down Syndrome
· Developmental delays
· Ataxia
· Post - stroke (CVA)
· Post - trauma
· Central Nervous System disorders
· Sport injuries
· Vestibular disorders
· Spina Bifida


Neurosuit Benefits

* Provides external stabilization and tactile stimulation
* Dynamically Promotes normal body alignment
* Normalizes muscle tone
* Improves balance
* Re-trains the central nervous system
* Normalizes (corrects) gait pattern
* Improves coordination
* Decreases uncontrolled movement in ataxia and athetosis
* Supports weak muscles
* Enhances strength (through resistance) in healthier muscles
* Promotes development of both fine and gross motor skills
* Improves bone density
* Aids in decreasing contractures
Influences vestibular system
Improves body and spatial awareness
Improves speech production and fluency by increasing trunk and head support

Saturday, August 18, 2007

May peace be with you on your journey.
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Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Our Other IMOT Resources

In the entries below, you can read all about the wonderful equipment at our disposal. What we haven’t touched on yet, however are our people and the interdisciplinary teamwork that occurs here.

You see, in this one clinical setting we have speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, hippotherapy (therapy while riding a horse) as well as IMOT and traditional physical therapy. Since these departments are close at hand, our clients have the opportunity to utilize them as part of a more effective intensive therapy program.
At MMPT, we genuinely care about the outcomes our clients realize, and work hard to maximize the resulting benefits.

You know, I’ve heard it said by the parent of one of our IMOT kids that we are “expert motivators”. That said, we accept nothing less than the best efforts from our clients as well as ourselves and hope to help more and more people live fuller lives through our expert service and through God’s grace.

If you are visiting for the first time, please take a moment to sign our guestbook and let us know you were here.

Monday, August 13, 2007

A Few IMOT Action Photos

Having fun working in the UEU - also known as the spider cage

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A moment in the sun
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Strong Again
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Target is Function
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Just-a-swingin'
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Posture Improvement








Saturday, August 4, 2007

The Intensive Model of Therapy (Information)

The IMOT is not just a pediatric model. The intensive therapy is rendering enormous gains that normally would require at least 12 months of traditional therapy to achieve the same success in children and adults. Melanie Massey Physical Therapy is one of 17 clinics in the United States using this advanced alternative treatment techniques incorporating suit therapy to greatly increase the progress of therapeutic services.

The intensive session at MMPT may include massage, myofascial realse, stretching, strengthening, and functional activities in the Universal Exercise Unit (aka Spider or Monkey Cage).

The intensive physical therapy at Melanie Massey has seen successful response in patients with CP, Stroke, TBI, Chromosomal Disorders, and other neurological conditions. We also offer adult intensive therapy and have seen some very encouraging results.

The Suit

The suit utilized in IMOT is an adaptation of the suit designed in 1971 by the Russian Center for Aeronautical and Space Medicine for the cosmonauts. The Penguin suit prevented successfully the negative effects of decreased gravity and limited mobility. The suits can provide “vertical load” of 33-88 pounds of pressure throughout the body. The suit provides the following:

1. Acts as an "exoskeleton"
2. Provides improved body posture and positioning
3. Load, antigravity muscles
4. Facilitates motor response to CNS
5. Improves body in space awareness


The Universal Cage

The cage is three walls and a ceiling of wire mesh that is an incredible tool for therapists. The cage can be used to stretch or strengthen isolated muscles using pulleys and cords. The isolated strengthening is difficult to achieve without the specific placement available in the cage. Pulleys can be used to isolate specific muscle groups that are weak. The pulleys and cords can block abnormal compensation or synergistic patterns. The therapist can then more intently focus their attention to correct form and alignment while working on functional activities.

The Spider

The spider allows the therapist to work hands free on functional skills with resistance or support. Bungees provide support or resistance while working in quadruped, tall kneel, ½ kneel, stand, squat, stance and step-ups.

According to Easter Seals Preliminary Research the following results were documented noting children tested had change scores that exceed those receiving the traditional therapy treatment within a 12 month period.

1. 77% of children tested had change in scores that exceeded those expected receiving 12 months of typical therapy intervention
2. 83% exceeded change in scores with diagnosis of Spastic Quadriplegia
3. 100% exceeded change in scores with diagnosis of Athetosis
4. 85% exceeded change in scores with Spastic Diplegia

There are increasing amounts of research in the field becoming more readily available. These findings may be obtained from Karl Kaufman, PT at Melanie Massey Physical Therapy (318-396-1969).

Common disorders that can benefit the pediatric and adult populations are CVA, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome, Ataxia, Vestibular disorders, Athetosis, Spasticity, Hypotonia, TBI, Developmental delays and Sensory Integration dysfunctions.
Call 318-396-1969 to setup a screening.

Contact us for more information at 318-396-1969.