Gait Training
The Centre of Movement offers an advanced method of gait training through the assistance of a ceiling hoist that simultaneously controls weight bearing, posture, and balance over a treadmill, ground or obstacles.
It creates an ideal environment for people with a wide range of impairments and walking ability to achieve a functional and efficient walking pattern.
This evidence based treatment has been shown to increase stepping ability and capacity for those children not currently walking and improve weight bearing capacity and steeping speed and accuracy in those already mobile.
It is based on the principles of motor learning and neuroplasticity and increasingly recognised that teaching the pattern of walking is important to stimulate the central pattern generators – the intrinsic and reflexive pathways in our neurological system that guide all movement.
Gait training with the ceiling hoist provides for proper posture, reduces weight bearing, eliminates concerns for balance, and facilitates the training of coordinated lower extremity movement.
How it helps your child
Gross Motor
Gross Motor
- An improved or more symmetrical walking pattern
- The ability to walk longer distances (walking endurance)
- An increased walking speed
- Improved balance
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Greater weight bearing abilities to strengthen their bones
- For infants, the development of walking skills
Balance
Balance
To function effectively across environments and tasks, we need the ability to maintain controlled positions during both static (still) and dynamic (moving) activities.
Deep core stability and hip and leg muscle control are essential for good upright posture.
Step Pattern
Step Pattern
The key to promoting functional walking is to maximise motor output.
This can be done through stimulating movement mechanically and via different sensory inputs, and to create the largest possible repertoire of adaptable motor reposes and strategies.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much"
– Helen Keller