12 Nov At My Favourite Physio, we are always on the look out for new research and discoveries for a better way to help our clients achieve their goals, we are excited to share about how we have recently innovated our Walking Training Program. 

A recent study published in July 2018 found that strengthening the calf muscle in children with Cerebral Palsy who walk with a crouch pattern, improved their coordination and upright posture.

At My Favourite Physio, we use a weighted harness treadmill walking system to train walking in children with Cerebral Palsy, which has been strengthening children and improving their walking patterns.  We have seen success with many children using our weighted harness treadmill walking system, whether it is gaining new skills in walking, or improving walking patterns. It is always wonderful to see the change in children, as they “suddenly” grow taller because they are able to walk with straighter knees and hold their body more upright. When children are able to walk with a straighter posture, this increases their confidence, balance and coordination. This also prevents joint pain and degeneration in their hips, knees and ankles. 

With the recent study findings of resistance walking, we have added similar resistance  training to our existing walking training program in children who have a crouch-walking pattern as a result of tight and weak calf muscles. This included children with and without Cerebral Palsy. With some modifications of our weighted harness treadmill walking system, we are able to apply the principle of resistance training to treadmill walking to strength the calf muscles for children with crouch walking patterns. This has helped even more children to strengthen their calf muscles and improve their walking patterns! 

If your child  tends to walk dragging their feet, or slapping their feet as they run, or have a crouch posture in walking, your child may benefit from using our Weighted Harness Walking Program. Ring My Favourite Physio today on (02) 9790 4233 to talk to our Paediatric Physiotherapist. We would love to help your child walk taller and stronger!