14241 SW 120 ST Suite #107
Miami, FL 33186
Miami, FL 33186
At iAM ABLE, one of the therapies that we are proud to offer SCI patients is Lokomat. However, most people have not heard of Lokomat therapy. Therefore, we want to take a few minutes to explain what the machine’s function is.
You also need to know who will benefit most from the Lokomat. Since we only have one, we need to determine who will benefit the most from its use. This will help you to understand the factors we consider when deciding who gets to use this extremely specialized therapy.
The Lokomat relies on a combination of equipment in order to provide gait retraining. The system operates in a similar manner to a treadmill. There is also an exoskeleton strapped to the legs of a patient who is suspended above the system by a harness. This can allow gait retraining or restore a natural pattern of walking.
The Lokomat allows the therapist to regulate the speed of the treadmill as well as how much of the walking is being performed by the exoskeleton and how much the patient is responsible for. As a result, this can be a critical part of learning to walk again for patients who have experienced paralysis or paresis due to a variety of causes.
There has been research performed to verify the type of therapy that this device provides. It is an effective way to help patients who are experiencing walking impairments due to injuries as well as neurological conditions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the conditions that can benefit from locomotion therapy or gait retraining.
Depending on the extent and location of the damage, paralysis due to an SCI can either be permanent or temporary. If a patient is able to regain sensation, Lokomat therapy can help restore a more natural gait. It can also provide exercise and natural motion for the lower extremities. This is so even in cases where restoring function is not possible.
Cerebral palsy is more than just one neurological condition. It is usually something that a person is born with even though it may not be detected until a child is months or even years old. Some of the most common symptoms include ataxia, a scissor gait, or problems with muscle tone. Locomotion training may be able to help gait.
When a TBI occurs, a part of the brain can go from normal function to complete lack of function in an instant. You may experience shifts in personality or ability to move. The brain does not recover from injuries the way other parts of the body do. Therefore, the goal is to restore as much function as possible. Since no two brain injuries are alike, you may have to try various therapies like the Lokomat in order to determine what will provide you with the most functional restoration.
GBS involves a battle between the body’s immune system and the nervous system. As a result of this internal struggle, a person may experience tingling or weakness in the legs. As the condition progresses, it can spread to affecting other muscles. Some patients become almost wholly paralyzed as a result. However, with the right therapy, recovery is possible for many patients.
If you have remained paralyzed for a long time or the tingling and weakness in the legs is not going away, gait retraining may be able to provide some assistance. The locomotion training may be just what the nervous system needs in order to remember how to activate the muscles of the legs for a more natural gait.
If you are looking for an SCI recovery center that also specializes in gait retraining for patients with various neurological conditions, then iAM ABLE is right for you. Located in southern Florida, we have the region’s only Lokomat device. We use it to help SCI patients as well as those who are experiencing certain neurological conditions to exercise the lower half of the body. This may even retrain the brain to walk in a natural pattern. With physical therapy and other modern therapies (like electronic stimulation) combined, we are proud to have many success stories that come from our facility.
One important key to learning how to thrive despite some degree of paralysis is to change your attitude toward your new circumstances. In our book, 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive After Paralysis, you will learn how to do just that. You may have heard people say that it is not the journey but the destination that matters. However, you never reach the destination without the journey. That’s why we want to be with you every step of the way.
This eBook will help you to learn the basics of coping with paralysis, teach you to get connected with resources to help you improve your progress, and encourage you to work hard for every bit of independence you can regain. So download your book today. Then give us a call at iAM ABLE to learn if Lokomat therapy or some of the other programs we offer are right for your circumstances. It may just get you on the path to recovering more of your independence than you presently think is possible.
Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.
