Cerebral Palsy and Vojta Therapy

Dr.Kalika is the first Vojta therapy practitioner in New York City. Vojta Therapy is considered a therapy of choice for treatment of children with developmental moto brains most available plasticity at first year of life it is proven that Vojta method is most efficient intervention at this age and as good as any other method in later age. Vojta therapy is also extremely effective in treatment of : post traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, post stroke rehabilitation, Multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditionsIn Europe Vojta therapy is covered by insuranse. Here is a detailed information about Vojta therapy. For more information visit www.vojta.com

Inborn Movement Stereotypes as the Key to Vojta Therapy

By the age of one year healthy children normally reach all the chronological milestores inborn moment stereotypes by stimulating related areas of the brain thereby inducing coordinated movement in the body and extremities.

The Developmental Milestones of Human Forward Movement

Turning and crawling are two primary movement patterns that represent immediate precursors of human unassisted upright movement forward. They are triggered by the Central Nervous System following genetically predetermined sequence that corresponds to reflexively either turn or crawl, depending on the therapist’s purpose.

The Effect of Activation

Turning and crawling movement patterns contain all elements of more complex motomatic movements as well as postural support of the body. The effect of the therapy is such that after a single session patients with movement disorders display improved ability for contact and communication with their environment. The neural pathways formed at the inducement of movement stereotypes remain lodged in the brain for many hours after the session. Repeated on the same day, the therapy strengthens accomplished results enabling the voluntary use of activated movement stereotypes by these patients.

The Sooner the Better

Vojta therapy is suitable for all ages. However, younger patients are more susceptible tor stereotypes are not yet fixed and can be seamlessly overwritten.

In older children and teenagers, whose Central Nervous System plasticity is diminished proportionally tore functional efficiency.

Vojta Method – Activation Without Training

Reflex Locomotion is induced with the patient in one of the three primal positions: on the back, on the sto which the resistance is applied. The result is improved coordination of multiple muscle contractions in throughout the body.

Reflex Crawling

Reflex Crawling is a movement stereotype, which includes basic elements of walking such as regulation of body position, uprighting (overcoming gravity) and voluntary stepping movement by arms and legs. Patient is positioned on the sto induce reflex crawling by stimulating a single breast zone. In older children and adults combined stimulation of several zones is necessary.

The goals of Reflex Crawling are:

• Activation of mechanisms necessary for support, grasping, verticalization and walking
• Activation of muscles responsible for deep breathing
• Activation of abdominal muscles and their coordinated differentiated activity
• Activation of pelvic floor muscles responsible for stability of the spine
• Activation of rectal and urinary sphincters
• Activation of swallowing and mastication (chewing)
• Activation of eye muscles
• Straightening of the spine

The movement is induced with patient’s body restrained, while right leg is moving simultaneously with left arm and vice-versa simulating forward motion. The therapist provides measured resistance to the side. This enhances the Global Response (activation of muscles of the whole body), which in infants creates the basis for uprighting (movement against gravity).

One Principle – Many Variations

From the three basic reflex movement positions we can generate 30 therapeutic variations. The variations result from combination of activation zones selection, degree of resistance against the induced movement, changes in stimulation vecto a specific diagnosis and therapeutic goal.

Versatile Effects

Due tor Delay, Scoliosis, Stroke, Multiple sclerosis, Spinal cord trauma, variety of Breathing Disorders, Muscle and Back Pain. The versatility of Vojta therapy effects is especially fully reflected in the following areas:

Skeletal Musculature

• The spine straightens segmentaly and becomes more functional
• The head moves freely at the atlanto the spine)
• All joints become centrated especially such key proximal joints like hips and shoulders
• The arms and legs become more functional for targeted support and grasp

Face and Mouth

• Sucking, swallowing and chewing is facilitated
• Eye movement becomes better targeted
• Movement of the eyes becomes independent of head movement
• Clarity of speech improves

Respiration

• The rib cage expands evenly in all directions
• The breathing becomes deeper and more balanced

Autonomous Nervous System

• The subcutaneous vessels become more perfused
• The sleep cycle becomes more balanced
• The regulatory function of urinary bladder and intestines is activated

Balance and Perception

• Balance reaction improves
• Spatial orientation and body awareness improves
• Perception of cold/warm and sharp/dull contrasts is more pronounced and becomes better defined
• Recognition of forms and shapes of objects is enhanced due to improvement of stereognosis
• Concentration becomes longer lasting and more flexible

Emotional Health

• The patient is better emotionally balanced and is better able to withstand increasing amounts of stress

Contraindications

Vojta therapy should not be used in the presence of following physical conditions:

• High fever or inflammatory diseases
• Severe osteoporosis
• Certain heart conditions
• Pregnancy

How Therapy Is Conducted (Regimen)

The success of Vojta therapy depends on the skill of the therapist and proper dosage. The more severe the condition the higher the frequency of therapy sessions is recommended. In extreme cases it can be applied up to individuals responsible for the administering the treatment at the patient’s home. This allows establishing desired levels of the therapy intensity. The therapist provides professional guidance modifying the course if necessary.

How Small Children React to Vojta Therapy

In infants Reflex Locomotion evokes unusually rigorous muscular activity that may be uncomfortable and as a natural reaction to speak do not cry at all although at times they may voice complaints and become less cooperative.

The Advantages of Vojta Therapy

Vojta therapy has been extensively used for over forty years in Europe and Asia. It has been scientifically proven to its broad approach the effect of Vojta therapy is especially magnified when it is used in conjunction with methods that focus on specifically selected neurological functions. The combination of Vojta therapy and Conductive Education method has been acknowledged as the most productive. Other combinations have also yielded very satisfying results. Vojta therapy has been successfully incorporated with NDT, Manual Therapy and Sensory Integration.

Vojta therapy can be instrumental as the background therapy for pathologies that do not have direct relationship with the motor dysfunctions early, the notion Vojta therapy specialists actively profess, improves overall health of the patient having prophylactic effect on the development of neuro-musculo-skeletal diseases later in life thereby eliminating future costs of medical and disability care.