I wanted to post more information on this. It is soooo easy, and I think all you other mommies who want to try it should do so without having to wait to find a PT who does it.
These are the quick notes that the PT made for me (from Pediatrics Vol. 108, No. 5 November 2001, p.e84):
On a side note, I don't think this is the most recent study on this. My ped referenced a study that was done about 18 months ago that had even better results. I'm going to check that out. When I have some time and remember and feel like doing it.
*Treadmill speed no faster than 0.5mph
*Support child under arms (as child attains greater trunk strength, can support at hips)
*Attempt to keep feet flat on treadmill. If toes drag, reposition feet flat.
*Child should wear a supportive shoe
*Easiest to support child by sitting on a bench or chair at the end of the treadmill, the child facing away from you. If you can get a bench that straddles the treadmill, you can position that over the belt and you can sit facing the child (I think Chase likes it better when he can look at me).
*Begin 1 minute walking, followed by 1 minute rest break; total of 8 minutes
*GOAL: Build child up to walking 8 minutes continuously by decreasing the lengths of rest breaks.
Perform treadmill walking 8 minutes/day, 5 days/week.
I will try to post a video of Chase as soon as we get the treadmill at the house. Speaking of which, if you don't have a treadmill, but you go to a gym...I don't see why you couldn't bring your kid into the fitness room and pull up a chair for 8 minutes right there. Go for it!
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3 comments:
I'm excited about treadmill therapy. We have not done it here, but they do it at the school Ella will be going to in WA. I think it's awesome and wish that she had been doing it all this time!
Thank you so much for this information. My PT told us about it at our last session, but it is not something she is equipped to do. I am going to start researching treadmills. Is there a special one used for this therapy or did you just get a plain old adult sized one?
Chris-
It's just a regular adult-sized treadmill- nothing fancy. Just make sure you get one that will go as slow as .5 mph.
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