Timely choice of treatment will allow you to get a good effect when a child has a disease of the nervous system. A competent selection of a therapy regimen will allow you to successfully restore motor functions and related skills: speech, walking and eating. The effectiveness of the rehabilitation period in adults with lesions of the peripheral and central parts of the nervous system is also determined by minimizing the period from the moment of injury to the start of treatment. One of the methods that really showed their practical effectiveness, judging by the reviews, is the Voight method.
Basics of Vojta Therapy
Blocking the passage of nerve impulses, as a result of damage to nerve fibers in neurological pathology, provokes erroneous movements. The Voight method is a reflex gymnastics that forms movement patterns characteristic of a he althy human body.
In the middle of the last century, the then Czechoslovakian doctor Vaclav Vojta managed to develop a method for restoring children diagnosed withcerebral palsy. The author based the technique on reflex gymnastics in the form of irritation of points on the surface of the child's skin and the reflex movements caused by this. Repeated repetition of stimulation-contraction combinations causes the formation of new motor reflexes. The method is called reflex locomotion.
Repeated, regular exercises allow not only to unblock the transmission of nerve impulses along peripheral nerve fibers, but also to activate the parts of the cerebral cortex responsible for processing impulses. Gradually complicating the exercises, you can form the correct reflex muscle reactions in the child.
Especially good results can be obtained by combining the Voight method in cerebral palsy with treatment by other (kineso- and hardware) methods, as well as drug therapy.
Indications for use
The Voigt method has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of a number of pathological conditions:
- CP.
- Coordination disorders of varying severity.
- Pathologies of development of the musculoskeletal system.
- Curvature of the spine of various etiologies, including scoliosis.
- Pathologies associated with joints and ligaments: dysplasia, clubfoot, flat foot.
- Wryneck.
But, the Voight method is used with caution in epilepsy and other convulsive diseases.
In his works, the author noted the greatest effect from the use of the Voigt method in cerebral palsy. Pathological rectifying reflexes innewborns are not yet formed. And in the case of a complete blockage of the nerve pathways, they respond to treatment. With timely therapy, a child in almost 100% of cases is able to learn the necessary actions and catch up with his peers.
Gymnastics according to the Voight method is aimed at activating the nervous system and developing spontaneous correct motor skills. Therefore, the main rule is the systematic training. Repetitive physiological movements can prevent the formation of pathological.
Vojta therapy and children
The method is successfully used in children of any age, starting from infancy. The basis for prescribing a course is an established diagnosis and a specific goal of therapy. It is better to start treatment until the replacement motor skills have had time to form. If a patient is taken on a course with already established replacement motor patterns, then the first stage of treatment will be aimed at activating physiological movement patterns. And only then the transfer of an unfixed anomalous reflex to a normal state will be carried out.
The cry of an infant during the procedure is a manifestation of an activated state. It is natural for parents to react to a cry that suggests that the child is in pain. In fact, crying is a natural reaction of a patient of this age to an unusual situation. After some time of adaptation and addiction, the cry loses its intensity. During breaks, the child quickly stops screaming. Older children do not cry, they report their experienceswords.
Vojta therapy with adults
Injury to the nervous system in adults is most often acquired. Treatment by the Voight method gives good results, both in the early stages - in the acute period, and at the rehabilitation stage. The goal is to restore the availability of lost he althy movement patterns and prevent negative consequences in the form of pain, impaired functionality and reduced strength. The main focus of the course is to return the patient the opportunity to lead a full life: in the conditions of family, school, restoration of professional skills, etc.
Effectiveness of therapy
Comparative studies have proven the positive effects of the Voight Method on physiological and psychological levels. It should be understood, however, that this is not a panacea. Each patient requires an individual rehabilitation program aimed at the systemic improvement of his body.
Numerous positive reviews about the Voight method speak of its unconditional effectiveness. Thousands of treated children began to feel the body and gained the ability to control it.
Effects in cerebral disorders
Improvement in the condition of children with CNS pathologies after a course of therapy is manifested as:
- Decreased motor excitation.
- Improve abdominal support.
- Working stability.
- Improve concentration.
- The appearance of a stable interest in toys.
- Improve sleep.
- Terminationsdrooling.
- Improvement of swallowing and articulation functions.
- Stabilization of the oculomotor muscles: nystagmus decreases or disappears, eye movement coordination improves.
As a result, the child's contact with the outside world becomes more diverse and fulfilling.
Effects in the presence of peripheral paresis
In the pathology of the peripheral nervous system, the positive effect of the method is manifested as follows:
- Improved peripheral circulation normalizes the growth and mineralization of bone tissue.
- Sensitive disturbances decrease or disappear completely.
- The trophic function of muscle tissue is restored.
- Automatic motor skills are activated.
- The muscles involved in breathing work more efficiently.
- Significantly reduced symptoms of articular contractures.
- The activity of the bladder and intestines is normalized.
Vojta Therapy
At the preliminary stage, Vojta-diagnosis is carried out, during which the type of violation, its severity, correlation with age norms are determined. The result will be the appointment of a course, the duration of which may vary depending on the effectiveness of the implementation.
The session begins with a warming massage. Then exercises are performed in accordance with the program. The child is located in a certain lying position (on the stomach, on the side or back), while the specialist, acting on the reflex points, causeschild involuntary movements. This can be manifested by rolling over, stretching or bending an arm or leg.
Contraindications
Vojta therapy cannot be used in some cases:
- Acute phase of infectious, inflammatory and viral diseases.
- 1-2 weeks after vaccination.
- Severe cardiovascular disease.
- Pregnancy.
In epilepsy, the Voight method can only be used on a sparing system. In other conditions that worsen well-being, the intensity of the sessions must be reduced, in accordance with the patient's condition, but a complete cancellation is not necessary.
Massage according to the Voight method at home
Excellent results can be achieved with a variety of home massages. The Voight method is the most effective and popular direction. A specialized technique is mastered by medical specialists with higher education. A simplified version for use at home can be mastered by anyone. The technique will allow you to get rid of functional disorders: sleep disorders with erupting teeth, poor he alth during meteorological changes, digestive disorders and others.
The Vojta-therapy method combines in its arsenal acupressure, kinesitherapy techniques, elements of gymnastics. When exposed to reflex points in certain poses, movements are caused that are ahead of the physical development of the baby. But having memorized them on a nervous level, he will master them much faster when growing up.
You can start classes withweek old. It is advisable to conduct the first classes with the participation of an experienced specialist practitioner. Independently studying the methodology for unverified manuals from the Internet is at least useless, at most it is dangerous for the he alth of the baby. The best option is to take a course at regional or regional training centers.
An experienced specialist affects the patient's body in different positions, 10 zones on the body and limbs are involved. Depending on the problem being solved, their individual complexes-combinations are developed. Manipulations can be carried out on a solid surface of sufficient area, for example, a changing table. All techniques are performed symmetrically on both sides. The break between classes during the day should be at least 3-4 hours, i.e. no more than 4 lessons per day. The duration of the session is from 5 minutes, with a gradual increase in duration up to 20 minutes. The duration of the course is 20 days. Break between courses for at least a month.
Several simple and affordable exercises
The following set of exercises can be learned by people without special medical education. This will allow you to practice several times a day and achieve the best result.
- The person conducting the lesson is located to the left of the child lying on his back. With the left hand, pressure is carried out below the nipple by 1-2 cm (you can use the bent phalanx of the index finger). With the right hand, the skin behind the right auricle is pulled up. At the same time, the leg will reflexively pull up to the stomach, the head will turn to the side - actions preceding the lateral rollover. The baby should be stopped and manipulated on the other side. An additional positive effect of classes: colic and pain caused by them will pass.
- Turn the child on its side, its lower arm should be extended forward, the upper arm along the body. The lower leg is bent at the knee and hip joints, the heel is at the level of the priests. The upper one is a straight line with anterior abduction. The adult sits behind the child. With his right hand, he pulls the skin on the shoulder blade, and with his left hand he presses on the femur protruding from the abdomen. This will provoke pulling up the legs, raising the head. A little more and he will sit down. We stop the movement and carry out the procedure on the other side.
- The adult is located to the left of the child lying on his stomach with his head turned to the right. The baby's right hand is at the head, the left is extended along the body. The left leg should be bent at the knee joint. When holding the left shin and pressing on the right heel, the child pushes off and tries to crawl. Stop the impulse and repeat the procedure on the other side.
Intensity and dosing
The effectiveness of reflex locomotion is beyond doubt. But the procedures themselves, especially the first classes, can be tiring for the child. Since the best effect can be achieved by regular, everyday (preferably several times a day) classes, an important and responsible role is assigned to parents and relatives. Daily classes for 5-20 minutes 3-4 times a day can only be carried out by parents and relatives. An adult patient's trainer can be a spouse, or any other close person who is not indifferent to the fate of the patient.
