Physiotherapy
Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME)
Cuevas Medek Exercise (CME) is a therapy designed specifically for babies and children with delayed gross motor development that is coming from an impairment to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). The goal of CME therapy is to promote absent motor functions and help children attain the highest possible level of independence in functional activities such as sitting, standing, or walking.
The key principles of CME are:
1) Provokes new motor functions
2) Provokes automatic responses of core motor skills
3) Exposes children's body segments to the influence of gravity
4) Promotes the use of distal support as tolerated (increasing challenge by the therapist reducing the level of assistance and supporting the child away from the centre of the body)
All of our physiotherapists at Mighty Kids Therapy are CME Therapy Certified Practitioners. We have seen incredible and fast results with this therapy and use it for most of our babies and young children. Georgia and Emily are both CME Level I Certified Practitioners, and Alysia is a CME Level II Certified Practitioner. All our therapists have been trained by Simona DeMarchi (CME IV Certified Practitioner).
CME was created by Kinesiologist and Physical Therapist, Ramon Cuevas in 1972. Please visit the CME International Centre website at www.cuevasmedek.com for more information.
TASES
Task-specific electrical stimulation (TASES) is an evidence-based functional electrical stimulation (FES) that we use on our clients with cerebral palsy and other movement disorders.
TASES is used to provide sensory and motor input to muscles while they are contracting and therefore requires clients to be actively participating in a movement. This movement could be sitting, standing, walking and so much more!
During treatment, motor learning happens with task repetition and proper body alignment. We have seen outcomes such as improved muscle function, increased joint range of motion, increased muscle strength and decreased spasticity.
Mighty Kids Intensive Programs
The intensive model of training focuses on large amounts of therapy over a short period of time to work specific goals and to see intense results!
Over an intensive block, your child may repeat a movement pattern hundreds, if not thousands of times. Neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to adapt to stimulus) works its magic over this time to help gain new skills or improve current skills. This means that your child could achieve more in a couple of weeks compared to 6 months of regular therapy!
Our Intensive blocks run for 1-3 weeks where the kids attend 1:1 therapy sessions for up to 4 hours each day. The schedule of therapy will vary depending on your child's goals, abilities, age and endurance.
At Mighty Kids we make intensives super fun and have themed dress up days that often get the whole family involved. While intensive therapy is a lot of work for the children, our therapists are skilled at motivating and engaging the children while using sensory strategies and play to push through the fatigue and tricky times.
Gait Training / Treadmill Training
Gait training is aimed at improving walking patterns and mobility in children with various motor challenges.
At Mighty Kids we have a holistic approach to gait training and address issues such as muscle weakness, joint deformities, spasticity, impaired balance and coordination.
We target improvements in walking patterns by using a variety of tools such as parallel bars, body weight support systems (Litegait machine), walking frames and treadmill training. During gait training we focus on symmetrical walking pattern, stride length, speed of gait, endurance and level of assistance required.
Through gradual progression and consistent intervention, we help our kids achieve greater function and help to enhance quality of life!
Functional Physiotherapy
Functional Physiotherapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on enhancing a child’s ability to perform meaningful and functional activities in their daily life.
This type of intervention targets specific motor challenges and aims to improve mobility, strength, coordination and overall physical function.
Functional Physiotherapy takes into account the child’s individual needs, goals and developmental stage through a combination of exercises, stretches, adaptive techniques and assistive devices.
We often incorporate functional Physiotherapy with our other techniques for best functional outcomes and working towards the family-centred goals.
Reformer Pilates
The Pilates Reformer machine is an excellent tool to help promote strength, flexibility, posture and coordination, as well as increase sensory and vestibular input.
At Mighty Kids we have a highly adjustable reformer machine that can be tailored to suit children from 3 years old right up into adulthood. We can use this machine to target specific muscle groups or it can be used for a full body workout. It has varying resistance settings so we can adjust to suit your child’s needs.
We often use this machine during our intensive therapy blocks to work on building strength for a specific functional task. We also love to use it for practicing jumping and hopping skills as these can be performed while lying down and therefore with gravity eliminated!
Whole Body Vibrational Therapy
Whole body vibration has been found to improve strength, reduce spasticity, improve bone mineral density and have positive effects on motor skills, gait and mobility.
At Mighty Kids we use the Hypervibe to ‘shake it off’ and have lots of fun! The Hypervibe uses a pivotal platform which mimics the natural rotation of the hips during gait. This generates more muscle stimulation and reduces vibration to the head.
At higher frequencies, the Hypervibe activates the stretch reflex which is an automatic response for our brain to switch our muscles on instead of it being a conscious process. We love our ‘shakey plate’ and use it for kids of all ages and abilities.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a water-based Physiotherapy session where the buoyancy of water reduces gravity on the body and therefore facilitates improved mobility and range of motion.
The therapeutic warmth of the water promotes relaxation of muscles, helps to alleviate discomfort and improves circulation. The resistance of the water serves as an effective tool to enhance strength and coordination and children can work on new skills that are difficult during land-based therapy.
The water can also help to nurture confidence in skills and is also super fun and motivating for most kids!
Treatment for Plagiocephaly and Torticollis
Plagiocephaly refers to a skull deformity that results in an uneven or flat head shape, while torticollis is characterised by tightness in the neck muscles. Babies with torticollis may demonstrate a preference for turning or tilting their head to one side, with difficulty turning to the opposite side. It's common for these conditions to coexist, amplifying the need for early intervention.
Our conservative approach to treatment involves physiotherapy techniques tailored to your baby's needs. Through a combination of positioning advice, stretches, and strengthening exercises, we strive to achieve optimal outcomes. Early intervention is crucial (ideally before 2 months of age), as it becomes progressively more challenging to correct head shape deformities once babies begin rolling around 4 months.
In some cases where physiotherapy alone may not suffice, we may recommend helmet therapy in collaboration with an orthotist. This involves the creation of a custom-fitted helmet worn 24/7 to aid in reshaping the baby's head.
If you observe signs of plagiocephaly or torticollis in your baby, we encourage you to reach out and schedule an appointment with us promptly. Remember, early intervention is paramount, as delaying treatment may exacerbate these conditions over time. Don't hesitate to take proactive steps towards your baby's well-being.