Suspension therapy involves using ropes and slings to support the body and limbs during passive or assisted exercises. There are three main types of suspension - axial, pendular, and vertical. Axial suspension moves the limb parallel to the floor from a joint as the point of suspension. Pendular suspension shifts the axis of movement to provide resistance. Vertical suspension supports the body part from its center of gravity. Suspension therapy aims to increase range of motion, muscle strength, and coordination through various techniques for individual joints like shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

1. SUSPENSION THERAPY
Dr.Satish K Pimpale PT
MPTh in Neurosciences
Assistant Professor
TMV'S Lokmanya Medical College of Physiotherapy,
Kharghar ,Navi Mumbai

2. At the end of the session...
 Principle
 Suspension Apparatus
 Types of Suspension
 Effect & Uses
 Techniques for individual joints
Dr.Satish K Pimpale PT

3. PRINCIPLE

4. Principle
 Pendulum
amplitude
oscillation
The foot,supported at the centre of
gravity of the leg,acts like a
pendulum. thus demonstrating the
principle of vertical fixation

5.  The pencil pushed
through a circle of
paper demonstrates
that when the pencil is
pivoted the paper
moves in a plane
parallel with the floor,
 thus demonstrating
the principle of axial
fixation

6. Suspension Apparatus

7. Suspension Unit
Late Mrs. Guthrie Smith
has invented the
suspension apparatus.

8. SUSPENSION THERAPY
UNIT
A mesh arrangement A free-standing frame

9. Fixed point.
Supporting ropes
Slings
Wooden Cleat
Dog clip/ S Hook
Storage trolley
Parts

10. It is made of stainless steel or
plastic coated steel.
In the top and head end side
presents the 5cm metal mesh
and remaining side kept open.
Fixed Point

11. Ropes should be of 3-ply hemp
so that they will not slip.
1.5m long
There are following three types of
supporting ropes:
1) Single Rope
2) Double Rope
3) Pulley Rope
Supporting Ropes

12. Has a ring fixed at one end
by which it is hung up.
The other end of the rope
then passes through one
end of the wooden cleat
through the ring of a dog
clip and through the other
end of the cleat and then
knotted.
Single Rope

13. Consist of two pulleys at
upper and lower attachments.
So here there is a mechanical
advantage of 2.
Used to suspend the heavy
parts of the body
Double Rope

14. This has a dog clip attached
at one end of the rope which
then passes over the wheel
of the pulley.
The rope then passes
through the cleat and a
second dog clip.
Used for 3dimensional
movements
Pulley Rope

15. There are following four types of
slings:
Single Sling
Double Sling
Three Ring Sling/3D RING SLING
Head Sling
Slings

16. Made of canvas bound with soft
webbing and with a D-ring at
each end.
68cm length and 17cm width.
Used for elbow and knee
Folded to support wrist and ankle.
Single Sling

17. Broad slings with D-rings
at each end.
Used to support pelvis,
thorax or thigh together,
specially when the knees
are kept together.
68cm long and 29cm width.
Double Sling

18. 75cm length 3-4cm width.
Consist of 3 D rings. 2 at the
end of the sling and 1 in the
middle kept moving.
Used for wrist & hand OR
ankle & foot.
Three Ring Sling

19. 3D ring Techniques for Hand
Figure of 8 Loop

20. 3D Ring technique for ankle
& foot

21. This is a short, split sling with
its two halves stitched
together at an angle to create
a central slit.
This allows the head to rest
supported at the back under
the lower and upper part of
the skull.
Head Sling

22. Wooden Cleat
 It is made of wood
and is used for
altering of the rope.
It has two or three
holes for the rope
passage. The rope
itself hold the cleat
by friction
resistance.

23. Dog Clip
 Used to attach
the supporting
rope with
mesh.
To attach the
sling with
supporting
rope.

24. S Hook
 An ‘S’ hook which
may be used
either end and
according to the
size of the fixed
point

25. Storage of slings and ropes
on wall frame is done with S
shaped hooks.
Storage Trolley

26. Types of Suspension
Effect & Uses

27. These movements are
produced by an external force
during muscular inactivity is
voluntarily reduced as much
as possible to permit
movements.
Passive Movements

28. when muscle strength or co-
ordination is inadequate to perform
a movement an external force is
applied to compensate for the
deficiency
Assisted Exercises

29. Treatment or therapeutic
exercise given to patients to
increase ROM,
increase muscle power and
support body parts by using
ropes and slings.
Suspension Therapy

30. Muscle Strengthening.
Neuro-Muscular Co-
ordination
Aim

31. There are following three types of
suspension therapy:
Axial Suspension
Pendular Suspension
Vertical Suspension
Types

32. It is the most common type.
Joint is taken as point of suspension.
Limb is supported by the slings above the
joint.
Limb will move to both sides parallel to
floor.
Axial Suspension

33. Relaxation.
Maintain muscle property.
Increase blood circulation.
Increase venous and lymphatic
drainage.
Uses

34. Point of suspension should be shifted
away from the joint axis.
Muscles will be getting resistance while
moving if the axis is shifted opposite to
that movement.
Pendular Suspension

35. Increase the muscle strength.
Increase the muscle endurance.
Uses

36. COG of the body part or the body is
taken as point of suspension.
Used to provide support to the body
parts of the patient.
Vertical Suspension

37. Relaxation.
Prevent pressure sore
Support
Uses

38. It reduces the burden of
therapist.
Easy to lift the limbs.
Active movement can be
performed easily with
minimum friction.
Advantages

39. Techniques for individual joints
Shoulder - flexion/extension & abduction/adduction
Elbow – flexion/extension
Hip - Shoulder-flexion/extension & abduction/adduction
Knee – flexion/extension

40. Suspension exercises can be
performed on upper limbs and lower
limbs.
Suspension Exercises

41. JOINT MOVEMENT Position
of
patient
POINT
OF
SUSPEN
SION
SLING 3D RING
SLING
Shoulder Flexion &
Extension
Side
lying
Shoulder
joint
Elbow
joint
supporting
wrist & hand
Abduction &
Adduction
Quater
turn
position

42. JOINT MOVEMENT
Position
of
patient
POINT OF
SUSPENSION
Vertical
suspension
3D RING
SLING
Elbow
Flexion &
Extension
Side
lying
Elbow joint
supporting
wrist & hand
Sitting
Mid shaft of
humerus

43. JOINT MOVEMENT Position
of
patient
POINT OF
SUSPENSION
SLING 3D RING
SLING
Hip Flexion &
Extension
Side
lying
Hip joint Knee
joint
supporting
ankle &
foot

44. JOINT MOVEMENT Position
of
patient
POINT
OF
SUSPEN
SION
SLING 3D RING
SLING
Hip Abduction &
Adduction
Supine Hip joint Lower
thigh/
knee
joint
supporting
ankle & foot

45. JOINT MOVEMENT
Position
of
patient
POINT OF
SUSPENSION
Vertical
suspension
3D RING
SLING
Knee
Flexion &
Extension
Side
lying Knee joint
Pillow
between
thighs supporting
ankle & footMid shaft of
Femur/mid
thigh

46. Summary
 Axial
 Pendular
 Vertical

47. References
 The Principles of Exercise Therapy-
M.Dena Gardiner
 Practical Exercise Therapy by Margaret
Hollis