vojta therapy for CP

[physiobob]

Just for general information here is some more info on the Vojta method from their website.

This is the english link to their international organisations website: Therapy -- What is Reflexlocomotion ?

Vojta proposes a three-part methodology from the medical point of view. This includes a study of the automatic postural reactivity; the cinesiological analysis of the spontaneous motor function; and reflexology. The actual methodology comprises physiotherapy based on ‘reflex locomotion’ and ‘pathing’ (forcing a neuronal way).

Medical Perspective

The approach to the clinical evaluation of child development is divided into three parts.

Study of the automatic postural reactivity - Testing the reactions to sudden postural changes of the body in space (7 to 11 tested reactions) helps to highlight any problems in the automatic management of the automatic reactions by the Central Nervous System (CNS). The sequential changes in these reactions during the first year of life, in the case of normal development, are clearly established. Hence, such an examination helps in pointing out functional anomalies of central or peripheral origin and also in identifying the degree of development reached at the time of examination.

Cinesiologic analysis of spontaneous motor function - Each stage of normal development is characterized by behaviors corresponding to specific conditions; orientation, locomotion, etc. These basic requirements stimulate the implementation of locomotor strategies that are automatically adapted to the postural setting of the moment. The uniqueness of Vojta therapy lies in clearly defining the cinesiologic content of these locomotor strategies. This implies that the postures, support polygon and movements characterizing optimum development are clearly defined. The distinction between a multitude of individual variants and fundamental postural components is precisely done to enable the systematic diagnosis of the patient and comparison with possible pathological conditions.

Reflexology - A series of reflexes, whose modes of provocation, answers and interpretation are accurately detailed, comes last in this scheme of medical examination. This not only helps in immediate evaluation but also in specifying the prognosis.

A different physiotherapeutic approach

Disturbances of the postural and movement apparatus require a very complex and often a lengthy treatment especially when they are connected with a cerebral dysfunction.

The Vojta principle was developed between 1950 and 1970 by the neurologist and child neurologist Dr. Vaclav Vojta. It is one of the regular physiotherapeutic treatment programs for children with impaired movement in many countries, especially in Europe.

In the Vojta method normal patterns of movement sequences, for example, reaching and grasping, standing up and walking, are not taught or trained as such. Vojta therapy rather stimulates the brain, activating “innate, stored movement patterns” that are then “exported” as coordinated movements involving the musculature of the trunk and extremities.

It is now acknowledged that through repeated activation of these reflex-like movements, a certain degree of “freeing a switch” or new networking within the functionally blocked network of nerves between the brain and the spinal cord, takes place.

Vojta therapy has a positive influence on the entire coordination of a child in its spontaneous movement, resulting in improved up righting against gravity, balance, gait, grasp, speech and other functions. The improved coordination of movements as a result of the therapeutic “activation” can often be sustained over the duration of the whole day.

A movement impaired patient also gains a better ability to initiate contact and communicate. Therefore a child has better ways to meet the confrontations within its environment. Vojta therapy can be used as the basis for other therapies and help a child meet the tasks set by the psychologist, early educationalist, speech language therapist, occupational therapist, teacher, etc.

For Vojta therapy to be successful it must be carried out several times a day. A treatment lasts between 5-20 minutes. Because the parents carry out the treatment daily, they play a very important role in the implementation of Vojta therapy.

For the entire duration of the therapy – which can last for weeks to months, or years – the Vojta therapist educates the parents how to implement the therapy and is a support person for the parents. The therapy programme, the amount, the pauses from therapy etc. is regularly reviewed in relationship to the patient’s progress and development.