KinesioTape

Nathan’s new PT kinestiotaped him, so I thought I’d share what that looks like, and the little I know about the tape.  After evaluating Nathan she believes that his abs are profoundly weak, as well as the sides of his necks.  He placed the tape on his stomach to give his abs some feedback and to help instigate flexion in his abs.  She also placed the tape on the sides of his neck to stimulate correction of the side to side motion of his head.  He is so much better when it comes to front and back, but he still needs more work on the side to side control of his neck.  She believes the feedback from the tape on the sides of the neck should help.  The tape should last 3-5 days and we can keep applying more and changing where we apply it.

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Here’s more info on kinesiotape:

The Kinesio Taping® Method is a definitive rehabilitative taping technique that is designed to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the body’s range of motion as well as providing extended soft tissue manipulation to prolong the benefits of manual therapy administered within the clinical setting. Latex-free and wearable for days at a time, Kinesio® Tex Tape is safe for populations ranging from pediatric to geriatric, and successfully treats a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and other medical conditions. The Kinesio® Taping Method is a therapeutic taping technique not only offering your patient the support they are looking for, but also rehabilitating the affected condition as well. By targeting different receptors within the somatosensory system, Kinesio® Tex Tape alleviates pain and facilitates lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin. This lifting affect forms convolutions in the skin thus increasing interstitial space and allowing for a decrease in inflammation of the affected areas.

Based upon years of clinical use, Kinesio® Tex Tape is specifically applied to the patient based upon their needs after evaluation. The findings of the clinical evaluation or assessment dictate the specifics of the Kinesio® Tex Tape application and other possible treatments or modalities. With the utilization of single “I” strips or modifications in the shape of an “X”, “Y” or other specialized shapes as well as the direction and amount of stretch placed on the tape at time of application, Kinesio® Tex Tape can be applied in hundreds of ways and has the ability to re-educate the neuromuscular system, reduce pain and inflammation, enhance performance, prevent injury and promote good circulation and healing, and assist in returning the body to homeostasis.

The Kinesio Benefit
Evaluation and assessment are key in the treatment of any clinical condition. In order to get the desired results from a Kinesio Tex Tape application as well as any other treatment, a full assessment of your patient is necessary. In some cases, the treatment of a condition may require treatment of other underlying conditions as well. This assessment should include manual muscle testing, range of motion testing, gait assessment, and any other orthopedic special tests that you deem necessary. The information gained from these assessments will allow for the proper treatment protocol to be laid out. Kinesio Tex Tape can be a valuable addition to this protocol. It has been proven to have positive physiological effects on the skin, lymphatic and circulatory system, fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. It can be used in conjunction with a multitude of other treatments and modalities within your clinic and is effective during the rehabilitative and chronic phases on an injury as well as being used for preventative measures.

Source: http://www.kinesiotaping.com/kinesio/method.html

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall…

Humpty dumpty jumped out of her crib…and for all her troubles, all she got, was a big red round spot on her cheek! Cheeky cheeky! (PS the white stuff is Traumeel)

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And here she is working on standing, letting go, getting stronger and stronger! PS that was her favorite Xmas present!

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And this is the photo debut of those 2 top bunny teeth!

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Adaptations – AFO’s

I often hear parents having issues with their child’s AFO’s.  We have NO problems with Nathan’s AFO’s, so I wanted to share what they look like.  We had a hard time finding shoes to fit that weren’t too big, we finally found a pair at Stride Rites which was only 1 size bigger.  We took the soles out and VOILA!

Nathan doesn’t mind his AFO’s  AT ALL and can wear them for hours and hours without any issues.  Since Nathan isn’t permanently spastic, we only use the AFO’s sporadically and when his feet feel tight.

The reason these are so great is because they have that inner boot.  The inner boot holds on to his foot real tight so he can’t pull out of it.  Then you fit the inner boot into the AFO shell and voila!

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