Our intensive therapy model combines traditional and alternative therapy services to increase function, expedite progress and promote independence for children with severe neuromuscular disorders or injuries.  The goal of our Intensive Therapy Program is to compress months of therapy into a few weeks during that child’s most critical period of development or rehabilitation.  This program consists of treatment 3-4 hours each day, 5 days a week for 3-4 weeks.  Our Intensive Therapy Program utilizes the Therasuit Method™ including the Therasuit™, Universal Exercise Unit, and the "Spider".

What is Suit Therapy?

Suit Therapy works by having the child put on a suit, called a Therasuit™ while performing repetitive exercises and functional activities. The focus of the Therasuit™ is to improve motor development, strength, balance, flexibility, endurance and coordination.

Indications for Suit Therapy:

    * Cerebral Palsy

    * Developmental delays

    * Ataxia

    * Athetosis

    * Hypertonia

    * Hypotonia (low muscle tone)

    * Traumatic Brain Injury

    * Down Syndrome

    * Post - stroke (CVA)

    * Post - trauma

    * Central Nervous System disorders

    * Spina Bifida

Suit Therapy works to:

    * Re-train the central nervous system

    * Provide deep proprioceptive input

    * Restore ontogenetic development

    * Provide external stabilization

    * Normalize muscle tone

    * Align the body to as close to normal as possible

    * Provide dynamic correction

    * Normalize (corrects) gait pattern

    * Provide tactile stimulation

    * Influence vestibular system

    * Improve balance

    * Improve coordination

    * Decrease uncontrolled movement in ataxia and athetosis

    * Improve body and spatial awareness

    * Support weak muscles

    * Provide resistance to strong muscles to further enhance strength

    * Improve speech production and its fluency through head and trunk support

    * Promote development of both fine and gross motor skills

    * Increase bone density

    * Improve hip alignment through vertical loading

Contraindications (reasons suit therapy may not be appropriate

for your child without modification):

    * Hip subluxation greater than 50%

    * Severe scoliosis

Precautions:

    * Heart conditions

    * Uncontrolled seizure activity

    * Hip subluxation

    * Hydrocephalus (VP shunt)

    * Diabetes

    * Kidney problems

    * High blood pressure