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The research and development for Suit Therapy began in Russia's space program. The result was the Penguin suit, a special, lightweight suit to be worn in space flight, which would counteract the harmful effects of weightlessness on the body: Bone density loss, altered integration of sensory responses muscle atrophy, altered integration of motor responses, cardiovascular changes, bodily fluid balance. The Russian space program's first suit was in many ways the beginning of modern Suit Therapy. Because this earliest form of Suit Therapy allowed Russian astronauts to stay in space for longer periods of time, this early prototype for the Adeli suit became an essential part of the Russian space race. Unfortunately, this suit was quite difficult to put on and restricted the way astronauts moved. However, its overall success was based on it's dynamic orthotic design and the fact that it could be worn many hours per day. This concept of extended use is the basis of our Intensive Suit Therapy.
Cerebral Palsy Treatment
For many years, the Penguin suit was used successfully with astronauts to help them prevent disability. As Russia became more open, the technology for this early "therapy suit" was shared with those who work in rehabilitation. Reasoning that the effects of weightlessness were very similar to the physical problems seen in cerebral palsy, they decided to modify the suits for use with patients with cerebral palsy. At the Pediatric Institute of the Russian Academy of Science, a team developed the first Adeli suit. Called the LK Adeli 92, this Adeli suit was the first suit used with cerebral palsy. Their results opened the door to a whole new application for Suit Therapy as the Adeli suit became a viable component for treatment of cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders.
Poland Implements Therapy with the Suit
A rehabilitative therapy clinic in Poland called Euromed, took the idea to the next step. Euromed developed treatment protocols using the LK Adeli 92 model as an integral part of an intensive physical therapy program. As word of their success spread, people from all over the world began traveling to Euromed in Poland for a chance to have suit therapy with the Adeli suit over several weeks of very intensive physical therapy. Accessing the internet, families in the United States learned about the Adeli suit, the Euromed clinic in Poland, and its very different philosophy towards working with cerebral palsy and others neurological disorders. The Euromed therapists were challenging long held beliefs in the treatment of cerebral palsy by strengthening children with increased tone/spasticity. With a blend of suit therapy in the Adeli Suit, work with Universal Exercise Units and long daily sessions of rigorous physical therapy, they earned a reputation for achieving results.
Advantage Of The TheraSuit
The Adeli 92 suit, while very effective, takes considerable time to put on. It also restricts certain types of trunk movement. The TheraSuit, (U.S. patent pending) designed by Richard and Izabela Koscielny, addresses problems of the earlier Russian suits. The TheraSuit allows for a full range of trunk mobility, comes in many sizes, has large armholes for shoulder comfort, and is very easy and quick to put on. With these new advances, the TheraSuit is very compatible for pediatric therapy. The Koscielny's are physical therapists and parents of a child with cerebral palsy. They originally brought the suit therapy techniques used in Poland to the United States. At Ability Plus Therapy our team of trained professionals exclusively feature the TheraSuit in our Intensive Suit Therapy Programs.
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