At CCS pride ourselves on continuous education, adding to the wealth of knowledge of our team. Our therapists take specialized training to find the best care for your child’s specific needs. As our team continues to learn, we find the best ways to help the individual needs of your child and the well-being of your family.
Total Motion Release (TMR)
TMR Tots is a modified version of TMR. It is a simplified positional release concept that assesses and treats postural asymmetry. In other words, this approach helps to improve issues with alignment that limit a child’s full access to muscle function. It focuses on reversing the tightness that has developed as a result of a period of limited mobility.
This concept is applicable to children and adults alike when it comes to any mobility issue. Though originally designed to treat kids with CP and hypotonia, it has since been most focused on treating children with torticollis and gait asymmetry in a “tearless” way. Additionally, TMR Tots can be used as prep work for traditional therapy techniques. This is due to the fact that children with observable cognitive limitations can become more responsive to therapy strategies once they no longer need to put their energy toward positioning their bodies.
Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI)
MNRI is a method “designed to facilitate the emergence, maturation, and integration process of primary reflex motor patterns for anyone, regardless of condition or age.” The basic concept of reflexes is generally familiar to people, but the nuances associated with different types of reflexes are often less understood. The MNRI method seeks to help you “understand the difference between automatic motor reflexes and learned motor reflexes, the role of simple to more complex automatic motor reflexes in establishing a solid developmental foundation, and how reflexes work to automatically regulate each of our bodies under normal conditions in reaction to normal stress, or traumatic situations.” Understanding these concepts can really play a huge factor in maturation, development, and normal life function.
The main concern of this method is to bring awareness to the importance of understanding different types of reflexes and transferring that information to MNRI approaches and programs to make positive changes in individuals’ reflex motor patterns. By isolating reflex dysfunction, engaging restorative techniques, and working toward integrating skills and movements, the MNRI method results in improvements and the possibility of a full recovery in general function.
Interactive Metronome
Interactive Metronome (IM) is an “evidence-based, multi-sensory training tool” used by thousands of health professionals. It challenges children to synchronize a range of whole-body exercises to a beat in order to improve the efficiency of the parietal-frontal brain network–the area most associated with working memory, controlled attention, executive functions, and more. IM has four components: 1) the Main Station that connects to a computer, 2) a pair of Headphones for auditory feedback, 3) one or more Triggering Devices, and 4) the IM Universe Software.
In addition to the brain functions previously mentioned, this program helps with pediatric conditions such as ADHD, autism, sensory processing, learning disabilities, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, auditory processing disorder, and dyslexia. IM helps professionals assess the strengths and weaknesses of each client, providing a clearer idea of what skills need to be targeted and improved. It also gives clients direct, real-time audio and visual feedback during the training, and each session is scored so the client has documentation of the progress they are making.
Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT)
NDT is a hands-on treatment used by physical, occupational, and speech therapists. It was developed to improve the functions of people who have trouble controlling movement as a result of neurological challenges such as CP, stroke, or head injury. NDT techniques serve as a basis for how the brain can change and reorganize itself and its processes. NDT interventions are important for a patient to avoid developing a limited, generalized set of movement patterns. The goal of NDT is to assess and intervene on a patient’s sensorimotor processing, task performance, and skill acquisition to enable participation in meaningful activities.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release therapy is often used to treat myofascial pain syndrome–a chronic pain disorder caused by tightness in your myofascial tissues (the tissues that surround the muscles in your body). The goal of myofascial release is to reduce pain and restore range of motion by easing tension and tightness throughout the body. This is achieved by focusing on broad muscle areas to activate individual trigger points that are at the root of the discomfort.
In this treatment, your therapist gently massages broad areas of muscles with light pressure to aid release. The process is repeated multiple times until the tension is fully released. Progress is evaluated through the level of increased motion or function experienced, and/or decrease in pain felt by the patient.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
CST is a gentle, hands-on technique that works with the soft tissue structures and cerebrospinal fluids between the head and bottom of the spine. These structures and fluids protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord. The goal of CST is to alleviate pain and tension in the central nervous system, increase mobility, and better one’s overall health and immunity. By using the hands as a tool to detect abnormalities in the craniosacral rhythm, CST helps to identify areas of dysfunction that are causing restriction in the body and treat them accordingly.
People of all ages can benefit from CST. The treatment can help relieve a number of different conditions such as anxiety and panic attacks, ADD/ADHD, autism, PTSD, scoliosis, chronic neck and back pain, and more. Each CST session is unique, which ensures that each client is receiving treatment specific to their own body and needs.
Sensory Integration
Sensory experiences include touch, sight, sound, smell, taste, movement, body awareness, and the pull of gravity. Having a solid relationship with each of these experiences provides children with a strong foundation for complex learning and behavior in the future. Sensory Integration (SI) is a type of therapy utilized by occupational therapists. Its goal is to help children with sensory processing issues by exposing them to sensory stimulation in a structured way. Over time, the child’s brain will adapt and allow them to process sensations more efficiently.
Infant Massage
Infant massage is the process of rubbing an infant’s muscles in a way that is specific and beneficial to each child. Massage therapy activates many physiological changes that help infants and children grow and develop. This process also provides benefits for the massager as well as they gain increased awareness of the baby’s body and needs. While touch therapy is commonly used by the mother or father of a child, it is also very useful for professional doctors and therapists to apply in their practices to create a stronger bond and understanding of the infant’s needs. Using this technique as a way to assess the infant can allow for more success in the future when it comes to receiving other treatments or therapies.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio tape is used by physical therapists to treat injuries, support weak zones, re-educate muscles, and enhance performance. This tape is applied to the body strategically in order to provide support, reduce pain and swelling, and improve physical performance. The tape itself is made up of a blend of cotton and nylon, which is designed to mimic the skin’s elasticity, so you can still use your full range of motion.
In addition to the functions listed above, kinesiology tape can also create space between joints to help reduce joint irritation, as well as decompress tissues to change the signals of existing pain patterns. Although this treatment can be effective on its own, the best results occur when Kinesio taping is paired with other conventional methods of treatment.
Bal-A-Vis-X
Bal-A-Vis-X stands for Balance-Auditory-Visual-Exercises. It is a series of 300 exercises, each of which has different levels of complexity and is deeply rooted in rhythm. It allows for your whole mind-body system to embody and experience the flow of a pendulum. This system of exercises can become increasingly complex or can be modified for those with special needs. Thus, this program is designed to benefit everyone–from preschoolers to seniors. This program requires focus and cooperation while it promotes self-challenge and concentration. Please click the hyperlink for more details.