Many children over three years
old can benefit from the use of the Therasuit ™ (Suit Therapy) during therapeutic activities. Inspired by the technology
developed to help Russian astronauts counteract the negative effects of weightlessness (muscle atrophy, loss of bone density,
and lack of ability to ambulate), the Therasuit ™ acts as an external set of muscles. Suit Therapy with the Therasuit
™ helps to support a child in proper upright alignment while enabling the strengthening of weak muscles and facilitating
normal movement patterns. While each child must first be evaluated to determine if the Therasuit ™ is appropriate, Pediatrics
Plus has multiple Therasuits ™ available for use during all therapy sessions.
The Therasuit ™ is a soft
dynamic orthotic constructed of a breathable but highly durable fabric. It is comfortable and can be worn for several hours
at a time. Our physical therapy staff, personally trained by Izabela Koscielny, can provide the training and follow-up needed
for parents who wish to use a Therasuit ™ as part of a home program.
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Benefits of Pediatrics Plus Utilizing
the Therasuit ™: |
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-Retrains the central nervous system |
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-Normalizes
muscle tone |
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-Provides
external stabilization |
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-Improves
hip alignment through vertical loading over the hip joint |
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-Improves
body alignment |
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-Provides
tactile stimulation |
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-Normalizes
(corrects) gait pattern |
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-Helps
to decrease contractions |
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-Improves
bone density |
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-Promotes
development of fine and gross motor skills |
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-Provides
resistance for strengthening |
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-Improves
body and spatial awareness |
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-Supports
weak muscles |
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-Decreases
uncontrolled movement in ataxia and athetosis |
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-Provides
vestibular input |
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-Improves
balance |
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-Can improve speech production by increasing head control and trunk support
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Who Can Benefit? |
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Intensive
physical therapy employing suit therapy with the Therasuit ™ has been beneficial for children with many diagnoses
including: |
|
-Cerebral
Palsy |
-Orthopedic
Impairments |
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-Developmental
delays |
-Athetosis |
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-Traumatic
Brain Injury |
-Genetic
Disorders |
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-Stroke
(CVA) |
-Seizure
Disorders |
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-High
or Low Muscle Tone |
-Post-Surgical
Impairments |
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-Ataxia |
-Spinal
Cord Injuries (including spina bifida) |
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-Athetosis |
-Vestibular
Disorders |
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-Neurological
Impairments |
-Down
Syndrome |
|
|
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Precautions for Suit Therapy with
the Therasuit ™: |
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The following medical conditions may hinder your child’s use of the Therasuit
TM: hip subluxation greater than 50%, severe scoliosis, heart conditions, uncontrolled seizure activities, hydrocephalus
(VP shunt) diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure. |
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History of Suit Therapy and the
TheraSuit ™: |
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The research and development for Suit Therapy began in the 1960’s with Russia’s
space program. Cosmonauts were returning from space suffering from the harmful effects of weightlessness on the body: |
|
-bone
density loss |
-altered
integration of sensory responses |
|
-muscle
atrophy |
-altered
integration of motor responses |
|
-cardiovascular
changes |
-bodily
fluid balance |
|
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To counteract these negative affects, Russian scientists developed the “Penguin
suit”, a special lightweight garment to be worn during space flight. This earliest form of Suit Therapy allowed Russian
astronauts to safely stay in space for longer periods of time. |
|
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The Adeli Suit applied to Cerebral
Palsy Treatment: |
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For many years,
the Penguin suit was used successfully with cosmonauts to help them prevent disability. As Russian society became more open
to outside ideas, the technology for this early "therapy suit" was shared with those who work in rehabilitation throughout
Europe. Recognizing that the effects of weightlessness were very similar to the physical
problems seen in patients with cerebral palsy, they decided to modify a “suit” for their patients’ use.
At the Pediatric Institute of the Russian Academy of Science, a team developed the first Adeli Suit. Called the LK
Adeli 92, this was the first “suit” used for people with cerebral palsy. The positive results created a whole
new application for “Suit Therapy” with the Adeli suit becoming a viable component for treatment of cerebral palsy
and other neurological disorders. |
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Poland Implements Therapy with the Adeli Suit: |
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A rehabilitative
therapy clinic in Poland, Euromed, took
the idea one step further. Euromed developed treatment protocols using the LK Adeli 92 model as an integral part of an intensive
physical therapy program. As word of their success spread, people from all over the world began traveling to Euromed for a
chance to have “ Suit Therapy ” with the Adeli suit. The Euromed therapists were challenging long held beliefs
in the treatment of cerebral palsy by strengthening children with increased tone/spasticity. With a blend of “ Suit
Therapy ” in the Adeli Suit, work with Universal Exercise Units and long daily sessions of rigorous physical therapy,
they earned a reputation for achieving impressive results. |
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Intensive Physical Therapy comes
to the U.S.: |
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Richard and
Izabela Koscielny, physical therapists and parents of a child with a physical disability, originally brought the intensive
therapy techniques and the Adeli suit to the United States
from EuroMed. After working with a hospital based clinic in Michigan
(EuroPeds™), they became thoroughly convinced of the effectiveness of the European program’s intensity and methodology.
Izabela and Richard developed the Therasuit ™ (based on the Adeli Suit) and began to train other therapists. | |
