Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI)
DMI therapy is a comprehensive therapeutic technique used to treat children with gross motor and neurologic impairments. DMI uses a set of unique and challenging exercises to promote postural responses and movement skills to help children progress towards age appropriate milestones. DMI therapy can be used as part of any child’s therapy program regardless of their current motor skills or cognitive level. This intervention stimulates neuroplasticity to facilitate the creation of new neuronal connections in the developing brain. DMI therapy works very well in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques and modalities. Kelsey is certified in the intermediate A level of DMI which is one of the highest levels.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
Neurodevelopmental treatment therapy is a highly specialized, client centered treatment approach used to help children and adults who have sustained neurologic damage. NDT uses hands on techniques and positioning to enhance a patient’s postural control and movement abilities and make functional every day tasks more efficient. NDT therapy encompasses rehabilitation of the whole person which includes addressing social, functional and cognitive impairments. This is not a cookie cutter approach – the techniques used are highly individualized and tailored to each child’s specific needs and goals. Children of any age and any skill level, regardless of the severity of injury, are appropriate for NDT therapy.
Universal Exercise Unit (Spider Cage)
The Universal Exercise Unit (UEU) is a therapy tool that uses a steel structure with pulleys, weights, bungees and belts to provide support, stabilization, resistance and assistance to the patient. The UEU allows for controlled weight bearing and maintaining alignment of joints while working on active movement of the whole body or specific targeted joints. The UEU can help a child improve their postural control, balance, coordination, muscle strength and range of motion. It is possible to work on functional mobility skills, transitions between various positions and even walking in the UEU. The therapists at Move have been directly trained by Izabela and Richard Koscielny, leaders in the UEU field.
TheraSuit Method
The TheraSuit method uses a soft dynamic orthotic and uniquely placed bungee cords to facilitate movement or assist in providing stability to various joints throughout the body. This very specialized suit is used in conjunction with an intensive therapy program to rehabilitate neurological and sensory based disorders. TheraSuit can be used to treat children with cerebral palsy, stroke, ataxia, hemiplegia, developmental delay, traumatic brain injuries and many other neurologic disorders. During a TheraSuit session, elastic bungees are placed on the soft vest and shorts portion of the TheraSuit in order to promote neutral joint and body alignment. Good alignment is necessary for proper function of the postural muscles and this alignment allows a child to learn proper patterns of movement against gravity and through space. The TheraSuit method has many research defined benefits including improvements in balance and coordination, increasing proximal stability, assisting in muscle strengthening, normalizing gait pattern, decreasing contractures and improving head and trunk control. The therapists at Move have been directly trained by Izabela and Richard Koscielny, the physical therapists that designed and patented the therasuit.
Electrical Stimulation
We use 3 types of electrical stimulation protocols at Move – TASES, NISE-stim, and the Biber Protocol.
TASES stands for task specific electrical stimulation and NISE-stim stands for non-invasive spinal electrical stimulation. TASES and NISE-stim are cutting edge therapeutic modalities that use electrical impulses to help strengthen muscles, allow for improved range of motion, improve motor control and provide improved proprioceptive information to certain parts of the body. TASES uses an electrical stimulation unit and electrodes on certain muscle groups in order to get a stronger contraction at the exact time the muscle is needed during a functional task. The therapists at Move have been directly trained by the creators of this technique, Judy Carmick, PT and Mirav Newman, PT.
NISE-stim uses an electrical stimulation unit and electrodes on the spine and on distal muscle groups in order to allow for stronger muscle contractions and activation of muscle groups that may be severely weakened by neurological disorders. This technique promotes strengthening and motor learning by forging a better connection between the brain and the muscles by way of the spinal cord. NISE-stim can also help improve functional mobility, circulation, and muscle coordination. The therapists at Move have been directly trained by the creator of this technique, Gerti Motavelli, PT.
The Biber protocol is an evidence based method of using electrical stimulation to help children gain or improve swallowing. The electrical stimulation unit and electrodes used in this method provide safe and painless impulses to activate weak or paralyzed swallowing and facial muscles. This can directly improve a child’s ability to swallow, voice and make stronger and more controlled facial movements. The therapists at Move have been directly trained by the creator of this method, Teresa Biber, CCC-SLP.
Aquatic Therapy
At Move PT, patients can participate in aquatic therapy in a private salt water pool that is heated to optimal therapeutic temperature. Aquatic therapy is an amazing adjunct to more traditional land based therapy and there are so many benefits for the pediatric population. Aquatic therapy provides a novel and engaging environment for children to build strength and endurance, improve balance skills, increase range of motion and coordination and work on the achievement of gross motor skills like rolling, sitting, standing and walking in a buoyant gravity minimized environment.