Many of you probably heard of locomotive training. This is where a spinal cord injury patient is put into a harness and then put on a treadmill. The treadmill is turned on and with the help of two physical therapy aides...they are able to walk.
What happens over several sessions is the brain and the spinal cord are retrained. "oh yes, we are supposed to walk". Studies show that in some spinal cord injuries that 9 out of 10 regain the ability to walk.
This training should be a part of everyones recovery program.
I have just discovered the Lokomat. The Lokomat does what the aides and the treadmill do...except it uses a robot to move your legs. This is excellent news...the therapists don't get tired and you can stay on for longer. The other benefit is you are taking the human element out...which means your stride or steps are exactly the same.
This is worth a look and some individual research. We will be getting one of these for our rehabilitation center.
