Benefits of the Bambach for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
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.
In this sitting position the hip joint is in its ‘loose-pack' position, where there is least pressure on the joint structures and least joint surface contact. This places the hip joint in a stable and comfortable position.
Limbs are placed in a mid range position which is beneficial in maintaining muscle length and normal tone
and reducing the risk of developing flexion deformities and muscle contractures.
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 it 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.
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.
Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic spaces are maximized resulting in improved lung and internal organ function and circulation.
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.
Bambach understands the problems associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Joint swelling, pain and stiffness
Children with inflamed joint will rapidly develop flexion deformities
Persistent inflammation in a joint can lead to bony overgrowth
