Case Study 1;
| Name: | D.B. |
|---|---|
| Age: | 19 |
| Occupation: | Student, part time radio presenter |
Symptoms
Cerebral Palsy with increased tone, more marked on the right side.
D.B. has tight hip adductors, which necessitates the use of a wheelchair because walking is so difficult. D.B. sits with his pelvis rocked backwards when in his wheelchair or on a conventional seat, with shoulders hunched, shoulder blades "winged", chin protruding and cervical spine in excessive lordosis. D.B.'s pelvis tends to pull obliquely to the right. D.B. is not able to walk any distance.
Introduction to the Saddle Seat
D.B. saw the Bambach Saddle Seat while it was in use as a drummer's stool and thought it might work well for him. He tried the seat and was shown how to sit on it correctly to maximise the benefits as well as how to use the adjustments to maintain good position at his computer. He also used the Bambach Saddle Seat at the dining table.
Result
D.B found the position comfortable at once, and his posture improved visibly.
When seated, his body is now symmetrical, his spine in a correct posture and his chin and neck in their neutral position. On the Bambach Saddle Seat, D.B. assumes a posture that inhibits abnormal tone, with the hips abducted and extended to 45 degrees, weight being taken through the legs and feet which are now actively being used not only to take the weight, but to push and pull in all directions to move D.B. around the room. D.B. found that he was now also using his back muscles:
"My back is a lot straighter and it has helped my walking, as I can now walk straighter and have more strength in my back."
D.B. says he is walking greater distances now, shopping and outings are more enjoyable, and he looks and feels more "normal" as he does not need his wheelchair.
D.B. on a flat seat at his computer. His pelvis is rocked back, his spine collapsed, his chin protruding; This is a very poor position, abnormal spinal curves exacerbating abnormal muscle tone, out of balance, poor functional position of head, eyes, arms and hands.
D.B. from behind on his flat seat, showing the effect this seat has on the increased tone on his right side. His head and neck are asymmetrical, his body twisted to the right, with sacryl sitting. Long term this seating results in postural deformities eg. scoliosis.
D.B. on a Bambach Saddle Seat. The postural abnormalities are corrected, reducing postural stress and allowing better function overall.
D.B. on his Bambach Saddle Seat, now symmetrical. His abnormal tone is minimised, allowing him to attain and maintain a correct posture.
Bambach understands the problems associated with Cerebral Palsy
- Loss of selective movement and lack of muscle co-ordination
- Difficulty with fine motor skills
- Tremor
- Increased muscle tone and reflexes (spasticity)
- Abnormal muscle tone
- Assymetric gait (walk)
- Decreased co-contraction of muscle groups
- Musculoskeletal problems such as scoliosis, muscle contracture and hip dislocation
The Bambach design and Cerebral Palsy
The Bambach saddle seat was designed by an Australian Occupational Therapist as a result of her observation following years spent working with 'Riding for the Disabled'.
She found that disabled individuals suffering from neurological conditions such as CP often had great difficulty in maintaining a healthy posture and assumed a 'collapsed' or 'slouched' posture when seated in a conventional wheelchair and required considerable support (or strapping) to remain sitting.
These same individuals when sat on horseback were however capable of sitting independently and unsupported and showed remarkably improved functional abilities as a result of being put on a horse on a saddle.
