When a child with Muscular Dystrophy is 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.
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.
Limbs are placed in a mid range position to minimise abnormal tone, minimise abnormal tone, maintain joint range of movement and limit muscle fatigue. Conventional seating will cause the hypotonic child to slump forward and develop poor postural habits which if unaddressed will lead to secondary problems.
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 problems.
Greater control of sensory inputs which can trigger unwanted motor responses.
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.
Call 020 8532 5100 (or email ask@fortunabambach.com) and ask for a FREE assessment and demonstration plus 14 day trial. See how effective the Bambach Saddle Seat can be.
