Alter-G Training/Rehab
Anti Gravity Rehabilitation
ALTERG ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL
REHABILITATE AT REDUCED BODY WEIGHT
Core Physio we the 1st clinic in Scotland to offer the AlterG anti-gravity treadmill. Originally developed by NASA, the AlterG uses differential air pressure. It enables users to run or walk at reduced body weight while maintaining a normal gait pattern. The AlterG is currently available at our Hamilton clinic.
BENEFITS:
- Run/walk at reduced body weight, but with a normal gait, unlike pool-based rehab.
- Reduce body weight in 1% increments to precisely control ground impact force, thereby enabling unique rehabilitation, fitness, and athlete training programs.
- Can be used as an advanced rehab and fitness training tool, or as a simple treadmill with extra safety and support.
At Core Physio, the AlterG can be incorporated into your physiotherapy sessions at no extra charge. You can also use it on your own for fitness or rehabilitation on a per-use basis. Packages are also available.
APPLICATIONS OF THE ALTERG TREADMILL:
ORTHOPAEDIC REHABILITATION
The unique unweighting capabilities of the AlterG Treadmill allow for earlier rehab. Also, those who have had lower body surgery such as a total knee replacement.
And since it allows patients who are not yet able to walk or run on land to do so (and with normal gait mechanics), rehabilitation on the AlterG is also functional – it directly targets patient goals of walking and running.
The AlterG can also offer unique rehabilitation benefits for patients suffering from knee and hip osteoarthritis, allowing them to perform optimal symptom-free exercise therapy which can reduce symptoms and delay disease progression. For more information see our article: AlterG for Hip Osteoarthritis.
NEUROLOGICAL REHABILITATION
The AlterG provides a unique, safe, and supportive environment for promoting neuromuscular and proprioceptive re-training, and brain plasticity.
By controlling body weight in 1% increments over a range of 20% – 100% body weight, the AlterG can also be used to help promote normal gait and improve stride length and balance. It also provides a supportive environment where patients can also work on multi-task training. Learn more about the AlterG and Neurological Rehabilitation.
RUNNERS AND ATHLETES
The AlterG is a valuable tool for amateur and professional athletes looking to return to running faster post-injury. It is also the ideal cross-training tool for runners, allowing them to increase total running volume while decreasing ground impact force and the potential for overtraining and injury.
NONATHLETES, ELDERLY AND OVERWEIGHT
The AlterG enables individuals at all levels including those with functional restrictions to walk and run in a safe and supportive environment. Exercising at partial body weight can improve cardiovascular fitness, strength and endurance, range of motion, bone and also joint health, as well as increase confidence and functional capacity.
PART OF YOUR PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAM
Where appropriate, our physiotherapists will incorporate the AlterG into your orthopaedic or neurological physiotherapy program at no additional cost. Use of the AlterG on your own for fitness or rehabilitation is charged on a per-use basis.
Alter-G
Clinical studies show that the AlterG can help decrease ground reaction forces in walking and running.
The restoration of normal gait mechanics is paramount to optimal recovery and can be accelerated by the unweighting technology.
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Allow for the protection of healing tissue
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Encourage range of motion
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Earlier initiation of closed-kinetic chain activity.
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Prevent disuse atrophy
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Encourages more rapid return of motor control
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Continue to train while recovering from injury
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Add training workouts without adding as much stress to their body
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Do plyometric and strengthening exercises with reduced impact