• Cerebral Palsy
• What is Cerebral Palsy?
• Problems associated with Cerebral Palsy
• The Bambach and Cerebral Palsy
• Benefits of the Bambach for Cerebral Palsy
• Reducing the risk of surgery
• Case Studies
• CP Additional Reading
• CP Links
• Spina Bifida
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Juvenile Arthritis
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Rett Syndrome
• Stickler Syndrome
• Scoliosis
• Links & further reading
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Benefits of the Bambach for Cerebral Palsy?

When sitting on the Bambach Saddle Seat

• The hips are at an angle of 45-degree flexion in external rotation and abduction. In this position, the child can be balanced and secure with dynamic postural control allowing him or her to move in all planes easily.

• The hip joint is in its position of maximal joint surface contact (closed pack position) where there is maximum contact of the head of femur with the acetabulum (ball and socket joint of the hip) which is the position of most comfort and stability.
• The limbs are placed in a mid range position which is beneficial in maintaining muscle length and normal tone. This is especially true for the hip adductor muscles (muscles which pull the leg towards the midline) which often demonstrate spasticity in the CP child resulting in the involuntary scissoring of the legs. This can help prevent further complications such as muscle contracture or hip pain and subluxation which can require surgical intervention.
• By providing secure pelvic control, the Bambach Saddle Seat can be finely adjusted so the pelvis is stabilised in its upright, neutral position. It then follows, as the spine responds to the correct pelvic angle that the spine too can be active in its natural upright curves.
• A clear midline assists maintenance of balance and symmetry. This assists in activating the muscles of postural control in a balanced way which allows the development of a symmetrical posture reducing the risk of scoliosis.
• The individual sitting upright is an active posture rather than a passive collapsed position. Conventional seating will cause the hypotonic child to slump forward and develop poor postural habits which if unaddressed will lead to secondary musculoskeletal problems.
• Partial weight bearing can be encouraged through to standing from a half-sitting position, which stimulates lower limb proprioception (sensory feedback), mobilizes the joint and improves muscle tone. This also facilitates transfers from sitting to standing and reduces the reliance on family/ carers.
• In conventional seating almost every anti-gravity muscle is inactivated for long periods. The normal, healthy pull of muscles and tendons on bones and joints is lost, resulting in the loss of the necessary stimulation for growth, strength and flexibility. Also as children grow, their bones, tendons and muscles grow at varying rates and in unpredictable spurts. Active movement is necessary to maximise normal growth. Inactivity in a poor posture is the antithesis of this need.
• Facilitation of independence in sitting and other motor activities encourages confidence and can improve the child's access to the curriculum in the school environment.
• Trunk and head control are easier in the natural position so that functional activities, such as swallowing and speech are improved.
• Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic spaces are maximized resulting in improved lung and internal organ function and circulation.
• With the upper body stable and free to move in this upright posture, eye contact, communication and social interaction are a great deal easier. This can lead to improved self-esteem through improved relationships with teachers and peers. So not just functional performance but also psycho-social interaction improves simply as a result of sitting in correct posture.
• Retraction of the shoulder girdle into the neutral position means that upper limb tasks and fine motor activities are facilitated allowing self care activities, such as meals, washing and dressing, and writing, computer work, hobbies and playing games to be more easily performed.