Pediatric Intensive Physical Therapy Model

Featuring the Therasuit Method™

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Intensive Pediatric Physical Therapy is scheduled 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. This intensive level of therapeutic treatment allows enough motor practice for new motor patterns to become more automatic.

Equipment includes the universal exercise unit and the Therasuit™ .

The universal exercise unit is designed to allow resistive training for even limited motor control through a system of pulleys and support.

It also provides partial weight support or resistance as needed during completion of functional activities.

The Therasuit™ is a soft dynamic proprioceptive orthotic which allows correction of posture and alignment to as close to normal as possible through a system of elastic rubber bands.

Therasuit™ Applications

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Developmental Delay
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Post Stroke
  • Ataxia
  • Athetosis
  • Spasticity (Increased Muscle Tone)
  • Hypotonia (Low Muscle Tone)

Therasuit™ Benefits

  • Retrains CNS
  • Provides External Stabilization
  • Normalizes Muscle Tone
  • Aligns the body to as close to normal as possible
  • Provides Dynamic Correction
  • Corrects Gait Pattern
  • Provides Tactile Stimulation
  • Influences the Vestibular System
  • Improves Balance & Coordination
  • Decreases uncontrolled movements in ataxia and athetosis
  • Improves body and spatial awareness
  • Supports weak muscles
  • Provides to strong muscles to further increase strengthening
  • Promotes development of fine and gross motor skills
  • Improves Bone Density

Research:

1. Kanda,T., Pidcock, F.S., Hayakawa, K., Yamori,Y., Shakata,Y. (2004). Motor outcome differences between two groups of children with spastic diplegia who received different intensities of early onset physiotherapy followed for 5 years. Brain Development, 26(2), 118-26.

2. Stiller,C., Marcoux,B.C., Olsen, R.E. (2003). The effect of conductive education, intensive therapy, and special education services on motor skills in children with cerebral palsy. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics, 23(3), 31-50.

3. Odman, P. & Oberg, B. (2005). Effectiveness of intensive training for children with cerebral palsy –a comparison between child and youth rehabilitation and conductive education. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 37(4), 263-270.

4. Trahan, J. & Malouin, F. (2002) Intermittent intensive physiotherapy in children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 44(4), 233-239.

5. Shumway-Cook, A., Hutchinson , S., Kartin, D., Price, R., & Woollacott, M. (2003). Effect of balance training on recovery of stability in children with cerebral palsy. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 45(9), 591-602.

6. Damiano, D.L. & Abel, M.F. (1998). Functional outcomes of strength training in spastic cerebral palsy. Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 79(2), 119-125.

7. Morton, J.F., Brownlee, M. & McFadyen, A.K. (2005). The effects of progressive resistive training for children with cerebral palsy. Clinical Rehabilitation, 19(3), 283-289.

The Therasuit™ and Therasuit Method™ were developed by Richard and Isabella Koscielny in Keego Harbor Michigan . They own Therasuit, LLC and The Pediatric Fitness Center, LLC.

www.suittherapy.com

How do I get more information about attending an intensive physical therapy session?

Call (251) 450-0070 for more information and an enrollment packet.

 

Additional Information:

Our chief physical therapist and owner is

Cheryl Thames, MSPT. (AL licensure number #2831).

She is a member of the American Physical

Therapy Association and the Pediatric & Private

Practice Sections of the APTA. Cheryl received a

Master degree in Physical Therapy in 1997 from

Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling , WV . The

program is a problem based curriculum. Cheryl is currently pursuing her transitional DPT from Wheeling Jesuit University . Cheryl's

experience is diverse with a base in acute care

prior to focusing on pediatrics. Cheryl has eight

years of physical therapy experience and 7 ½ years specializing in pediatrics. Cheryl opened Pediatric Physical Therapy, L.L.C. in May 2003. Cheryl hopes to expand to offer occupational and speech therapy as well as pediatric fitness and adaptive sports.

 

Education

Wheeling Jesuit University

Master of Science in Physical Therapy,

August 1997

Research: Overuse Injuries in a 12-Year-

Old Female: A Case Study

 

University of Alabama

Bachelor of Science - Major: Psychology

Minor: Biology, May 1994

 

APTA Member since September 1995

Member of the following sections;

Pediatrics & Private Practice

Mobile Area Physical Therapy

Association President 2003 - 2004

APTA Certified Clinical Instructor

CPR Certified

Therasuit Method™ Certification Course – September 2005

Mobile , AL

Pediatric Physical Therapy, LLC is located in the midtown area of Mobile , AL . The metroppolitian area of Mobile has a population of 250,000. Pediatric Physical Therapy, LLC is conveniently located at the intersection of I-65 & I-10. Mobile has many tourist attractions including Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico .