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Darren Joffs
Instructor
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Posted: Mon Aug 16th, 2010 03:23 am |
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If my patients can't tolerate lengthy periods of standing activity, I use a large thera-ball and we do dynamic sitting balance activities. I also have them roll forward and back with a focus on contracting the quads - less intense than sit to stand, but still close-chain. I do a lot of standing ball toss/catch and balloon toss, single leg stance - step ups, ball kicks. Standing on slant boards during rest periods to stretch into dorsiflexion is a great use of rest period. It allows for stretching with a patients weight and most of my patients have some difficulty with toe clearance.
My biggest suggestion is to find anyone in your facility who has a treadmill just collecting dust and clothes to bring it in. There's nothing like treadmill training to see improvements in gait, balance transfers etc. I'd then see if you can convince you owners to get a Gaitkeeper to take advantage of a good fit under the litegait and beginning speed of 0.1 mpg.
Good luck
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nkarman
Instructor
| Joined: | Sat Jul 15th, 2006 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 257 |
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Posted: Sat Aug 7th, 2010 01:07 pm |
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| I also like to use a mini-trampoline placed under the LiteGait: reember to raise the yoke MUCH higher, and to open the flex-yoke all the way. Bouncing the bed and progressing to a light "non-impact aerobics" type jog, and ultimately an actual jump or light jog clearing the bed of the trampoline... This is a great way to recruit calf muscles in a reciprocal pattern, which should help with venous return and ultimately help with the orthostatic hypertension.
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WebKeeper
Administrator
| Joined: | Wed Jul 5th, 2006 |
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Posted: Fri Aug 6th, 2010 04:45 pm |
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Elliptical machine are closed chain - that is they have handles for arms that are tied to leg movements. My suggestion is to power the elliptical yourself. If patient is hanging on or even if he/she is not, clinician can move the handles for arm back and forth while instructing the patient to actively follow the movement. The work you have to do the move the patient will depend on how much help she is giving. Even a weight shift away from the forwarding leg will have help and you should feel the impact so you can determine if he/she is helping.
mini squats are my favorite exercises. Either with the FlexAble yoke turn loose so that the yoke (support for the patient) gives and the patient can bend both knees and go down and slowly come back up. One can do this with only one leg by placing the other foot on a soft ball. You could also use the lift mechanism to bring the patient down as she bends knees and then ask her to go up slowly. if she can't go from the lowest position you can utilize the lift to bring her up part of the way.
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sdilli
Instructor
| Joined: | Tue Dec 5th, 2006 |
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Posted: Fri Aug 6th, 2010 05:33 am |
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- Step touches (pt touches step without stepping up on it, alternating each LE) progressing to step ups on the step.
- Kicking a ball for single leg stance balance training.
- Playing Wii
- Standing on foam pad (good for balance and ankle strengthening)
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bethmassen
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| Joined: | Sat Jul 17th, 2010 |
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Posted: Fri Aug 6th, 2010 03:46 am |
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Are there other exercises in addition to standing over ground with LG while throwing ball into vertically placed trampoline and catching it when it rebounds?
Facility does not have treadmill, just elliptical that's compatible with LG. Patient doen't have enough endurance at this point to tolerate elliptical.
What are other options to use LG for the purpose of improving orthostatic intolerance, endurance and balance?
At this point patient is tolerating only two (5) minute intervals of standing throwing ball into trampoline.
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