We may not all walk the same, but we all walk together.
What is a Complimentary Therapy?
The use of various modalities, e.g., acupuncture, herbs, massage, energy forces, biologic treatments, to supplement or enhance conventional medical treatment or promote overall well-being. It can also simply mean any therapy that can be used in combination with other therapies.
KINESIO® TEX TAPE IN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION
Taping for constipation
KINESIO® TEX TAPEIN THE PEDIATRIC POPULATION - by DeDe Wanzek
If you watched the 2008 Summer Olympics you most likely saw athletes with colored tape on them. That tape was Kinesio® Tex Tape. The Kinesio ® USA and it’s international partners provided about 50,000 rolls of tape to the athletes of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Kinesio® Tex Tape is a uniquely designed elastic tape which enhances muscular, joint and circulatory function. It is comprised of a polymer elastic strand wrapped by 100% cotton fibers, which allow for evaporation of body moisture and allow for quick drying. There is no latex in the tape and is hypo allergenic. The elastic properties of the tape allow for range of motion, compression and lifting of the skin. The tape can be worn 24 hours a day, 3-5 days a week allowing the patient full therapeutic benefits on a constant basis.
Kinesio® Tex Tape was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, D.C. in 1973. He is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic in Chicago, Illinois. He has opened chiropractic offices in Japan as will as in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The development of Kinesio® Tex Tape was born out of his frustration when patients were unable to maintain therapeutic gains between visits. Patients would often do well in the clinic with tactile or verbal cues, but then would not maintain the position or posture when at home, work or play. This familiar scenario is shared by pediatric therapists as well. Kinesio® Tex Tape acts as a tactile cue between clinical visits.
Kinesio® Tex Tape is used across the lifespan, but currently the fastest growing usage is in the pediatric population. In the pediatric population, the tape can be used to help facilitate or relax a particular muscle. For example, it can be used to help activate the abdominal muscles resulting in improved postural stability. For children with very tight muscles, it can help relax those muscles. The tape can also be used to support the joints of the feet, legs or arms to provide stability and improve postural alignment as a child is learning to weight bear though an extremity. Kinesio® Tex Tape is also very helpful in alleviating constipation, swelling, and sinus pressure. The goal of the tape is to provide lasting effects for the condition for which it is applied.
However, for some children the need for taping can be ongoing. The Kinesio® Taping Association has forty seven certified instructors across the United States who teach the proper application and use of the tape. More information on the use of Kinesio® Tex Tape can be found on their web site at www.kinesiotaping.com.
DeDe Wanzek, physical therapist who works at Avanti Center in Hudson, Wisconsin is a Certified Kinesio®Taping Instructor. Avanti Center is a nonprofit organization that provides speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to the pediatric population.
If you watched the 2008 Summer Olympics you most likely saw athletes with colored tape on them. That tape was Kinesio® Tex Tape. The Kinesio ® USA and it’s international partners provided about 50,000 rolls of tape to the athletes of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Kinesio® Tex Tape is a uniquely designed elastic tape which enhances muscular, joint and circulatory function. It is comprised of a polymer elastic strand wrapped by 100% cotton fibers, which allow for evaporation of body moisture and allow for quick drying. There is no latex in the tape and is hypo allergenic. The elastic properties of the tape allow for range of motion, compression and lifting of the skin. The tape can be worn 24 hours a day, 3-5 days a week allowing the patient full therapeutic benefits on a constant basis.
Kinesio® Tex Tape was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, D.C. in 1973. He is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic in Chicago, Illinois. He has opened chiropractic offices in Japan as will as in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The development of Kinesio® Tex Tape was born out of his frustration when patients were unable to maintain therapeutic gains between visits. Patients would often do well in the clinic with tactile or verbal cues, but then would not maintain the position or posture when at home, work or play. This familiar scenario is shared by pediatric therapists as well. Kinesio® Tex Tape acts as a tactile cue between clinical visits.
Kinesio® Tex Tape is used across the lifespan, but currently the fastest growing usage is in the pediatric population. In the pediatric population, the tape can be used to help facilitate or relax a particular muscle. For example, it can be used to help activate the abdominal muscles resulting in improved postural stability. For children with very tight muscles, it can help relax those muscles. The tape can also be used to support the joints of the feet, legs or arms to provide stability and improve postural alignment as a child is learning to weight bear though an extremity. Kinesio® Tex Tape is also very helpful in alleviating constipation, swelling, and sinus pressure. The goal of the tape is to provide lasting effects for the condition for which it is applied.
However, for some children the need for taping can be ongoing. The Kinesio® Taping Association has forty seven certified instructors across the United States who teach the proper application and use of the tape. More information on the use of Kinesio® Tex Tape can be found on their web site at www.kinesiotaping.com.
DeDe Wanzek, physical therapist who works at Avanti Center in Hudson, Wisconsin is a Certified Kinesio®Taping Instructor. Avanti Center is a nonprofit organization that provides speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to the pediatric population.
Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST)
Emily receiving CST
Early on in Emily's life we realized that she was and still is very sensitive to the world around her. She seemed to respond very well to Healing Touch, so I started to explore more holistic approaches to help her. I stumbled across a therapy called Cranial Sacral (CST) that seemed like a good fit for Emily and her needs.
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. (Taken from the Upledger Institute web site http://www.upledger.com/)
I noticed with Emily that the first few sessions of CST seemed uncomfortable for her. I asked her therapist why and she said that it was probably due to her neurological condition and her cranial bones and everything being so shocked and tight from her intense seizures. Once Emily had received a couple CST sessions she began to change. She seemed more relaxed and I actually saw an improvement in her seizure control.
I also started seeing a CST therapist when I was pregnant with our second daughter. I was having major sciatica and after the first CST session I had immediate relief. I also noticed that the baby was benefiting from my session as well. As I was being worked on she would become very calm and quiet.
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction. (Taken from the Upledger Institute web site http://www.upledger.com/)
I noticed with Emily that the first few sessions of CST seemed uncomfortable for her. I asked her therapist why and she said that it was probably due to her neurological condition and her cranial bones and everything being so shocked and tight from her intense seizures. Once Emily had received a couple CST sessions she began to change. She seemed more relaxed and I actually saw an improvement in her seizure control.
I also started seeing a CST therapist when I was pregnant with our second daughter. I was having major sciatica and after the first CST session I had immediate relief. I also noticed that the baby was benefiting from my session as well. As I was being worked on she would become very calm and quiet.
Berard Auditory Integration Training (AIT)
Hippotherapy (Horse Back Riding)
For a defintion of Auditory Integration Training click here.
We decided to try AIT with Emily when she was about 2 1/2 years old. We did this therapy hoping to see any kind of positive results in her motor planning and verbal communication skills. At that time Emily was pretty much non-verbal and her only way to communicate with us was through eye gazing at objects and physical responses to questions posed to her. This therapy was very intense for both Emily and myself. She went to her therapy place two times a day for 30 minute listening sessions. Each listening therapy was at least three hours apart, so there was a lot of driving back and forth. During each session Emily would have the headphones on and at the same time receive sensory therapies, like brushing, bouncing, spinning, oral motor, and more. In between the AIT sessions we would also brush Emily every 90 minutes. This was a very intense schedule for all of us!
If you have read about Emily in this web site already then you are aware that she has a seizure disorder. It is important to note that during the time Emily was completing AIT her seizure increased significantly. We were working with her neurologist during this time and opted to not make any medication changes and wait to see if things went back to Emily's baseline after AIT and they did. So it is important to note that it IS possible for your child to have an increase in seizures during this therapy if they are already predisposed to having seizures.
This therapy seemed to work very slowly for Emily. At the 30 day mark we could see slight improvements in her motor planning and she was trying harder to say words. At the three month mark we really did not see any more major improvements, but at the 6 month mark (following AIT) we heard Emily spit out the phrase "I want" and the words milk and mom. This was sucess for us and of course for Emily!
I would consider trying this therapy again in the future, but I would make sure that Emily's seizures are under good control before attempting to do so.
For more information on AIT please visit - AIT Institute
We decided to try AIT with Emily when she was about 2 1/2 years old. We did this therapy hoping to see any kind of positive results in her motor planning and verbal communication skills. At that time Emily was pretty much non-verbal and her only way to communicate with us was through eye gazing at objects and physical responses to questions posed to her. This therapy was very intense for both Emily and myself. She went to her therapy place two times a day for 30 minute listening sessions. Each listening therapy was at least three hours apart, so there was a lot of driving back and forth. During each session Emily would have the headphones on and at the same time receive sensory therapies, like brushing, bouncing, spinning, oral motor, and more. In between the AIT sessions we would also brush Emily every 90 minutes. This was a very intense schedule for all of us!
If you have read about Emily in this web site already then you are aware that she has a seizure disorder. It is important to note that during the time Emily was completing AIT her seizure increased significantly. We were working with her neurologist during this time and opted to not make any medication changes and wait to see if things went back to Emily's baseline after AIT and they did. So it is important to note that it IS possible for your child to have an increase in seizures during this therapy if they are already predisposed to having seizures.
This therapy seemed to work very slowly for Emily. At the 30 day mark we could see slight improvements in her motor planning and she was trying harder to say words. At the three month mark we really did not see any more major improvements, but at the 6 month mark (following AIT) we heard Emily spit out the phrase "I want" and the words milk and mom. This was sucess for us and of course for Emily!
I would consider trying this therapy again in the future, but I would make sure that Emily's seizures are under good control before attempting to do so.
For more information on AIT please visit - AIT Institute
Hippotherapy (Horse Back Riding)
I had heard and read many articles on hippotherapy and the positive benefits it has on people with cerebral palsy and developmental delays. We had attended a private event near our house four summers ago with Emily and she got a chance to try this therapy out briefly. At the time Emily was only about 18 months old which is really too young to be a regular rider. It was a very hot day and the sun was beaming down on her as Emily took off on the horse with a back rider, two side walkers, and a leader. Emily cried the whole time, but we thought it was more because of the heat than the horse ride itself. It was after this experience that I began to read more about hippotherapy and decided that next summer when Emily was two year old we would get her involved in it.
We search around our area and there were a couple of places that offered horse riding therapy, but most of them wanted to put Emily on a horse by herself and not have a back rider on with her. This was not okay with me since she could barely even hold up her own head. How could Emily ever make it 45 minutes on a horse without someone sitting up there with her? Finally, we found a therapy place right by our house that offered sessions with a back-rider. This place is called River Valley Riders. So we filled out our forms and mailed them in to River Valley Riders thinking that we could easily get Emily into this hippotherapy. Well, we were wrong. Hippotherapy is actually very popular for many different kinds of special and medical needs. We quickly found out that each year there is a waiting list. The waiting list actually turned out to be a good thing for Emily. Since Emily was on the waiting list we would get calls from time to time to have Emily fill in for a rider that wasn't able to make their therapy session. This was great and gave Emily a chance to get to really like horse back riding.
Now, Emily is 4 1/2 and this year was the first year she was drawn to be a regular rider. Emily has her own purple helmet and a regular time slot with the same back-rider and horse. Every week Emily looks forward to riding her horse, Eve. And the next day she loves to be asked how horse back riding was. We have seen an improvement in Emily head control and her trunk control from regular riding. We can also see an improvement in her attitude when we tell her that "tonight is horse back riding". Since Emily is not walking on her own it is hard to say we have seen an improvement in her gait, but someday I hope to tell you that it has improved.
For more information about hippotherapy please visit - the American Hippotherapy Association
We search around our area and there were a couple of places that offered horse riding therapy, but most of them wanted to put Emily on a horse by herself and not have a back rider on with her. This was not okay with me since she could barely even hold up her own head. How could Emily ever make it 45 minutes on a horse without someone sitting up there with her? Finally, we found a therapy place right by our house that offered sessions with a back-rider. This place is called River Valley Riders. So we filled out our forms and mailed them in to River Valley Riders thinking that we could easily get Emily into this hippotherapy. Well, we were wrong. Hippotherapy is actually very popular for many different kinds of special and medical needs. We quickly found out that each year there is a waiting list. The waiting list actually turned out to be a good thing for Emily. Since Emily was on the waiting list we would get calls from time to time to have Emily fill in for a rider that wasn't able to make their therapy session. This was great and gave Emily a chance to get to really like horse back riding.
Now, Emily is 4 1/2 and this year was the first year she was drawn to be a regular rider. Emily has her own purple helmet and a regular time slot with the same back-rider and horse. Every week Emily looks forward to riding her horse, Eve. And the next day she loves to be asked how horse back riding was. We have seen an improvement in Emily head control and her trunk control from regular riding. We can also see an improvement in her attitude when we tell her that "tonight is horse back riding". Since Emily is not walking on her own it is hard to say we have seen an improvement in her gait, but someday I hope to tell you that it has improved.
For more information about hippotherapy please visit - the American Hippotherapy Association
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