Rehabilitation is about to get lifted, literally. The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill uses differential air pressure technology developed by NASA to provide comfortable partial weight-bearing therapy while promoting normal gait patterns.
All of this talk sounds really fancy, but essentially what this new treadmill provides is an alternative to straps, that traditionally are attached to the upper body, so as to allow for a freer range of motion while still taking the weight and pressure off of the lower extremities.
Appearing as if enveloped in a large black marshmallow, the treadmill helps the user recover from injuries or even help those who have never walked before to work on their range of motion and build strength, purposes include: rehab after injury or surgery, rehab after total joint replacement, gait training in neurological patients, strengthening and conditioning in older patients, weight control and reduction, sport specific conditioning and aerobic conditioning.
Most doctors and therapists recommend that patients get moving soon after surgery. With the Alter-G, patients can get going with as little as 25% partial weight baring clearance. However, this lighter than air technology has its place in the world of assistive technology too.
Company CEO Steve Basta, pointed out that the machine could potentially be used to help those with neurological issues, for instance it may be ideal for people with Cerebral Palsy. “What the machine is great for is muscle strengthening; nervous system development (so that patients can feel their feet and know where they are); movement and bringing feeling to the bottom of the feet. Basta also explained how with low pressure walking, (i.e., on this specialized treadmill), muscles are strengthened, but in addition, neurological pathways are re-wired which ultimately retrains the brain to walk with greater ease.” – www.cerebralpalsylawdoctor.com
There has been some criticism of the use of the machine for people with CP. Many claim that while there is initial excitement at the effectiveness of the machine, some patients regress after making progress. Researchers are not sure if this has to do with the machine or the CP.
Visit their website, to find an Alter-G Treadmill nearest to you.