Suit Therapy

Picture of a child using the Suit Therapy.

Suit Therapy is part of an intensive physical therapy program for individuals with cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular disorders. Suit Therapy works by having the child put on a suit , called a Therasuit™ while performing repetitive exercises. The focus of the Therasuit™ is on improving motor development, strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and coordination. . The suit is made up of a vest, shorts, knee pads and special shoes attached by using bungee type bands that are used to correctly align the body and provide resistance as movements are performed. Its major goals are to improve proprioception (sensation from joints, ligament, and muscles); to reduce pathological reflexes; to restore proper patterns of movement; and to increase weight-bearing for normalized sensory input regarding posture and movement.

Indications for Suit Therapy

Cerebral Palsy
Developmental delays
Ataxia
Athetosis
Hypertonia (spasticity)
Hypotonia (low motor tone)
Autism
Traumatic Brain Injury
Sensory Integration Disturbances
Down Syndrome
Post - stroke (CVA)
Post - trauma
Central Nervous System disorders
Rheumatoid arthritis (this type of suspension can be used to provide joint distraction, therefore it decreases the forces acting on the joint itself and helps eliminate pain and further joint damage)
Sport injuries
Orthopedic patients
Vestibular disorders
Burns
Fractures - early stages in rehabilitation
Spina Bifida

Benefits of Suit Therapy

Re-trains the central nervous system
Restores ontogenetic development
Provides external stabilization
Normalizes muscle tone
Aligns the body to as close to normal as possible
Provides dynamic correction
Normalizes (corrects) gait pattern
Provides tactile stimulation
Influences vestibular system
Improves balance
Improves coordination
Decreases uncontrolled movement in ataxia and athetosis
Improves body and spatial awareness
Supports weak muscles
Provides resistance to strong muscles to further enhance strength
Improves speech production and its fluency through head and trunk support
Promotes development of both fine and gross motor skills
Improves bone density
Helps to decrease contractures
Improves hip alignment

Contraindications:

1) Heart conditions
2) Uncontrolled seizure activities
3) Hip subluxation greater than 50%
4) Hydrocephalus (VP shunts)
5) Diabetes
6) Kidney problems
7) High blood pressure
8) Severe scoliosis

For more information please email maindesk@discoveringnewheights.com