If you are researching activity-based therapy in Miami, you may be interested in knowing the answers to the following questions.
- What is activity-based therapy?
- Is there a difference between activity-based therapy and physical rehabilitation?
- What are the advantages of activity-based therapy?
- Where can I find activity-based therapy in Miami?
We will answer all of these questions in our article today.
What Is Activity-Based Therapy?
Activity-based therapy is a form of physical therapy that does precisely what the name implies. It uses physical activity to help rehabilitate a patient. Activity-based therapy is vital in the wake of a spinal cord injury or brain trauma. This is especially true if paralysis results from the injuries. While paralysis can complicate performing some of the movements, there are many modern advancements that can help. Here are a couple of examples of activity-based therapy that an SCI survivor, stroke survivor, or someone living with a neurological condition can benefit from:
- Lokomat therapy – The Lokomat is a gait training device that uses a harness and exoskeleton to help a patient safely use a treadmill regardless of physical ability. The physical therapist sets the device so that the patient does as much of the work as possible. For some, that may be zero. Either way, the Lokomat allows you to get exercise despite lack of function and without risk of injury to you or the therapist.
- FES bike – FES stands for functional electrical stimulation. This device hits muscles with the necessary electrical impulse to get the muscle to flex. When combined with a stationary bike and handcycle, this can allow you to get exercise for both your arms and legs, regardless of physical ability. The device sends the impulses to activate the muscles that you currently cannot use. That makes this device effective even for tetraplegia patients.
You can probably already imagine the benefits that come from these advanced forms of activity-based therapy during SCI, stroke, or TBI recovery. We will discuss those benefits further in a moment. For now, let’s talk about the role activity-based therapy will play in your rehabilitation.
Is There a Difference Between Activity-Based Therapy and Physical Rehabilitation?
Activity-based therapy, and any other form of physical therapy (PT) you receive, make up one component of physical rehabilitation. Physical rehabilitation is your total program of recovery activities. It includes not only your PT but also things like…
- Occupational therapy – The focus of occupational therapy is on activities that you need to perform every day. You may learn to transition from a bed or chair into a wheelchair. There may be training on getting dressed safely, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, and the like. If a regular daily activity is going to be different from now on, occupational therapy is where you will learn to perform it in a new way.
- Speech therapy – Some injuries also affect speech, especially traumatic brain injuries and stroke. Along with improving your communication, speech therapy may also help you to be more fluent and to swallow correctly. Other conditions that could affect your ability to swallow or control your mouth include multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, or certain forms of cancer.
So physical rehabilitation includes your entire program of recovery – all of the types of therapy that you will require to maximize your independence.
What Are the Advantages of Activity-Based Therapy?
Activity-based therapy (ABT) comes with many advantages, especially when combining traditional physical therapy methods with modern advances. What can you hope to gain by diversifying your recovery therapies and adding in ABT? Here are just a few of the potential benefits of this modern and intensive form of physical therapy.
- Improved range of motion – By exercising functional muscles, you ensure that you retain or regain the full range of motion possible. This is particularly essential after an extended hospital stay that often involves little exercise.
- Better balance – You may never have realized the amount of balance required to sit up straight before experiencing paralysis. The further the loss of sensation extends into your core, the more you will have to focus on regaining your balance.
- Improved overall wellbeing – Intense exercise, multiple times per week, is crucial when it comes to heart and lung health. This activity-based therapy will support your overall health and wellbeing.
- Potential for function restoration – Research reveals that activity-based therapy is at the forefront of emerging therapies for functional recovery in the aftermath of an SCI. It’s a must if you want to maximize recovery when dealing with a neurological injury or disease.
With all of these benefits that result from activity-based therapy, the next step is to find the right recovery center for you.
Where Can I Find Activity-Based Therapy in Miami?
If you are looking for activity-based therapy in Miami, then iAM ABLE is the recovery center for you. We have the only Lokomat device in southern Florida, and we offer many other proven therapies ranging from traditional physical therapy to functional electrical stimulation.
We also want to help you prepare mentally for the recovery journey. Depending on the extent of your illness or injury, there can be many highs and lows during the recovery process. But you’re up to the challenge, and we want to provide you with the tools to succeed! Our eBook, 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis, will help you embrace the challenges and successes ahead. Download it today and get your recovery journey started.
Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.
