Suit therapy developed from the original Penguin suit used in Russia’s space program. The suit was designed to counteract the harmful effects of weightlessness on the body after returning from long periods in space. Richard and Izabela Koscielny, creators of the TheraSuit Method® are both physical therapists and parents of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy. They developed this holistic treatment approach for those like their daughter who are afflicted with neurological disorders such as Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delays, and Traumatic Brain Injuries. It combines the best elements of various techniques and methods, and has a sound rationale based on physiology of exercises.
TheraSuit Method® Intensive Program
The TheraSuit Method® intensive program is specifically designed to increase functional outcomes. Each client participates in an individualized strengthening program for 3 – 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 – 6 consecutive weeks for maximum benefit.
A variety of tools and techniques including the TheraSuit and the Universal Exercise Unit allow our clients to achieve accelerated functional outcomes. The TheraSuit Method® can be beneficial for many populations, including and not limited to the treatment for cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions.
The TheraSuit Method® is recommended for children with:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Traumatic brain Injury
- Hypertonia
- Hypotonia
- Ataxia
- Dystonia
- Spina Bifida
- Post Stroke (CVAs)
- Developmental Delays
- Down Syndrome
- Other Neurological Conditions.
The TheraSuit Method®:
- Improves proprioception
- Reduces pathologically retained reflexes
- Harness’ proper patterns of movement & posture
- Provides an exoskeletal stabilization and support of weak muscles
- Corrects body misalignments
- Provides improved vertical loading over the hip joint
- Stimulates the brain to re-train the Nervous system to attain more stable functioning
- Provides tactile and sensory stimulation
- Improves speech production, fluency and timbre
- Loads the body with gravity simulating pressures
- Accelerates the progress of newly learned movements and functional skills
The Universal Exercise Unit
Is an open metal cage equipped with pulleys, weights straps and bungee cords. This dynamic system allows the therapist to isolate and strengthen desired muscle groups to improve very targeted and specific functional movement patters. This system is often referred to as the “Spider Cage” due to the use of a harnessing belt used in conjunction with bungees to assist in holding an upright position. This helps a child to stand without assistance while allowing freedom of movement and facilitating balance creating pathways for future use. This can be crucial in learning to transition from one position to another and acquiring weight-shifts needed for higher coordinated movement all while improving proprioception and arousal levels due to the movement.
The exercises performed in the Unit are designed to improve the functional skills of crawling, sitting and finally walking. The exercises thus also help improve balance, coordination and sensory-motor integration. The desired out of the Unit is independent coordinated movement. The unit has the added benefit of regulating the sensory systems through activation of the core muscles. This is a safe and effective tool which when used in combination with the suit serves to further accelerate a client’s progress during and after an intensive.
