Gamechanger CP Intensives
@ Step by Step
How a SHIRT changed a life
Parents, children, teens and adults with CP as well as therapist are often overwhelmed by the multitude of motor problems they face and do not know where to start their intervention.
At Step by Step Intensives, we always start by giving support and alignment to the core of the body.
Mason was 16 years old when he attended a week long intensive at Step by Step. He was gradually losing motor function as his body changed during puberty. He had given up hope that he could ever get better or even maintain his function. He was angry and depressed. The last thing Mason wanted was more PT so this was the last desperate to try to turn things around.
We had just received a packet of trial compression shirts from AlignMed and decided to try one with Mason because his core was very weak. The change in posture was instantaneous as his trunk muscles all of a sudden kicked into action. We took pictures and Mason recognized the change, but he was not yet buying into how this would help him change his daily function.
Mason and his family identified balance as a major concern as Mason had experienced an increased incident of falling. The following days was filled with continued training while making sure that Mason’s entire body was in alignment. By day three, Mason began to recognize the changes in his body and balance and he started to understand what he needed to do to truly change his function and life: Train like an Athlete.
A program was created and Mason and his family went home and continued his training
with a personal trainer. A year later he was strong and proud and two years later he graduated from high school as a strong and happy young man with plans for his life. He got is first job and told his family that “it was the best day of his life” The SHIRT was the foundation, because without a good core, all the other changes would not have happened.
There are an estimated 750,000 people living with Cerebral Palsy in the United States.
10,000 babies are born each year with Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy is the result of a brain injury around the time of birth. Cerebral Palsy affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance.
It can also impact fine motor skills, gross motor skills and oral motor functioning.
While CP is not progressive, the effect of the neurological symptoms often causes a cascade of progressive muscle and bone changes if timing and type of medical and therapeutic interventions are not optimal.
Teenagers and adults with CP often experience loss of function and debilitating pain leaving them dependent on help from others to manage everyday tasks. Studies have confirmed that most children with CP will lose function over time (GMFSC) with the types of interventions that are currently available to them.
For Information:
alignmed.com sbstherapycenter.com
Listen to Part 1 here:
and Part two here:
