Vojta therapy
Reflex Locomotion Therapy, also known as Vojta Therapy, is a specialized
type of physical therapy. The technique was originally developed by Czech
neurologist Dr. Vaclav Vojta in the 1950s to enhance the motor development of
children with cerebral palsy. The difference between the Vojta method and other
physiotherapy techniques is that in Vojta Therapy movement functions, such as
grasping, rolling over from the back onto the stomach, or walking, are not
practiced. Rather, the therapeutic activation of reflex locomotion facilitates
access, via the central nervous system, to the individual segmental patterns of
movement necessary for a specific movement or activity. After Vojta treatment,
these segmental patterns are more freely available to the patient.
Vojta therapy may be used in various conditions ranging from neurological
impairments such as cerebral palsy, central coordination disorder, stroke,
multiple sclerosis, and peripheral palsies to orthopedic conditions after
fractures, trauma, and surgery. In adulthood, it is often used as a preventive
therapy to activate healthy movement stereotypes and thus prevent pain and
future postural problems. It is crucial to begin therapy as soon as possible when
it is needed in childhood, before the newborn develops substitution patterns and
is still 'elastic' enough to perceive the therapy quickly and effectively. Vojta
therapists use a combination of ten zones on a patient's body, applying light
pressure to a specific area while resisting the current movement, causing the
patient's body to perform certain reflexive movement patterns involuntarily. The
treatment is performed with the patient lying supine, prone, or on one side,
common resting positions for a new baby. In all humans, regardless of age,
Vojta stimulation causes two locomotor responses: reflex creeping and reflex
rolling.
The reflex creeping is a movement sequence that includes the most
fundamental components of locomotion. The main position is prone lying with
the head resting on the bed rotated to one side. Movement predominantly ensues
in the so-called cross pattern, in which the right leg and the left arm, or vice
versa, move simultaneously. A leg and its contralateral arm support the body
and move the trunk forwards. The therapist sets up an adequate resistance
against the patient’s incipient head rotation. This strengthens the activation of
the overall body musculature. The purpose of reflex creeping is to activate
muscular support and processes that are required for supporting and grabbing,
rising and walking, as well as arm and leg stepping movements.
Reflex Locomotion Therapy, also known as Vojta Therapy, is a specialized
type of physical therapy. The technique was originally developed by Czech
neurologist Dr. Vaclav Vojta in the 1950s to enhance the motor development of
children with cerebral palsy. The difference between the Vojta method and other
physiotherapy techniques is that in Vojta Therapy movement functions, such as
grasping, rolling over from the back onto the stomach, or walking, are not
practiced. Rather, the therapeutic activation of reflex locomotion facilitates
access, via the central nervous system, to the individual segmental patterns of
movement necessary for a specific movement or activity. After Vojta treatment,
these segmental patterns are more freely available to the patient.
Vojta therapy may be used in various conditions ranging from neurological
impairments such as cerebral palsy, central coordination disorder, stroke,
multiple sclerosis, and peripheral palsies to orthopedic conditions after
fractures, trauma, and surgery. In adulthood, it is often used as a preventive
therapy to activate healthy movement stereotypes and thus prevent pain and
future postural problems. It is crucial to begin therapy as soon as possible when
it is needed in childhood, before the newborn develops substitution patterns and
is still 'elastic' enough to perceive the therapy quickly and effectively. Vojta
therapists use a combination of ten zones on a patient's body, applying light
pressure to a specific area while resisting the current movement, causing the
patient's body to perform certain reflexive movement patterns involuntarily. The
treatment is performed with the patient lying supine, prone, or on one side,
common resting positions for a new baby. In all humans, regardless of age,
Vojta stimulation causes two locomotor responses: reflex creeping and reflex
rolling.
The reflex creeping is a movement sequence that includes the most
fundamental components of locomotion. The main position is prone lying with
the head resting on the bed rotated to one side. Movement predominantly ensues
in the so-called cross pattern, in which the right leg and the left arm, or vice
versa, move simultaneously. A leg and its contralateral arm support the body
and move the trunk forwards. The therapist sets up an adequate resistance
against the patient’s incipient head rotation. This strengthens the activation of
the overall body musculature. The purpose of reflex creeping is to activate
muscular support and processes that are required for supporting and grabbing,
rising and walking, as well as arm and leg stepping movements.
