Suspension therapy For Physical Therapy Rehabilitation .

1. Title :
SUSPENSION THERAPY

2. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the session…….
 Principles
 Suspension Apparatus
 Types of Suspension
 Effects and Uses
 Techniques for individual joints

3. WHAT IS SUSPENSION THERAPY?
Suspension Therapy is special technique of exercise
therapy in which a part, or all of the body suspended
in the air by means of ropes and slings attached to
fix points above (mesh).

4. PRINCIPLES
 Principle of Vertical Fixation:
Pendulum:
It is a heavy material suspended by weightless
thread. When force is applied; it results in to and
fro movements

5. The foot supported at the center of gravity of the leg;
acts like a Pendulum.
Thus demonstrating Principle of Vertical Fixation.

6.  Principle of Axial Fixation:
The pencil pushed through a circle of paper
demonstrates that when the pencil is pivoted; paper
moves in a plane parallel with the floor.
Thus demonstrating Principle of Axial Fixation.

7. Axial fixation for adduction and abduction of hip joint.
Axial line ‘._._._._.’
Hip joint ‘X’

8. SUSPENSION APPARATUS
 Suspension unit: It is invented by Guthrie Smith.

9. PARTS OF SUSPENSION THERAPY UNIT
 Fixed Point
 Supporting Ropes
 Sling
 Wooden Cleat
 Dog Clip & S Hook
 Storage Trolley

10.  Fixed Point:
It is a stainless steel or plastic coated metal mesh
around the area of plinth.
2m x 2m above it, 2m x 2m on the wall at the side of
plinth and the head of plinth 1m/2m x 2m long and
2m high.

11. It is necessary to suspend the overhead mesh from
the ceiling at a height which will allow about 1.5m
clearance between mesh and plinth top.
If it is impossible to fix mesh on to the ceiling; then
free-standing frame may be used.

12.  Supporting Ropes:
These are the connecting ropes which provides the
attachment of sling to the frame and are adjustable in
length.
Types of Supporting Ropes:
Single Rope
Double Rope
Pulley Rope

13.  Single Rope:
It has a ring fixed at one end, by which it is hung up.
The other end of the rope passes through one end
of wooden cleat, through the ring of dog clip and
again through other end of the cleat; then knotted.
Rop
e

14.  Double Rope:
It consist of two pulleys at upper and lower
attachments therefore it provides mechanical
advantage of 2.
Such rope is used to suspend the heavy parts of the
body i.e. pelvis, thorax.

15.  Pulley Rope:
It has a dog clip attached to one end of the rope
which then passes over the wheel of a pulley.
The rope then passes through cleat and second dog
clip.
This arrangement is used for reciprocal pulley
circuits; with one sling supporting a limb and ends of
the sling attached to two dog clips used for three
dimensional movements of limb.
Eg. Abduction/Adduction with flexion/extension
(combined/oblique/ rotatory movements)

17.  Sling:
Types of Sling:
Single Sling
Double Sling
Three Ring Sling/ 3D Ring Sling
Head Sling

18. Single Sling:
Single slings are made of canvas bound with soft
webbing and with a D ring at each end.
They are used to support limbs, or folded in two
and as a figure of eight to support the hand or foot.
They measure 68cm long by 17cm wide.

19. Double Sling:
Double slings are broad sling measuring 68cm long
by 29cm wide with D rings at each end.
They are used to support the pelvis, thorax or
thighs together.

20. Three Ring Sling/ 3D Ring Sling:
These are webbing slings 71cm long by 3-4cm
wide with three D rings; one attached at each end
and one free in the middle.
These slings are used to support the wrist and
hand or ankle and foot

22. Head Sling:
It is a short and split sling with its two halves
stitched together at an angle to create central slit.
This allows the head to rest supported.

23.  Wooden Cleat:
It is made up of wood and used for altering the length
of rope.
It should be held horizontally for movement and
pulled oblique when supporting.
The rope itself hold on cleat by friction resistance.

24.  Dog Clip & S Hook:
These are used to attached supporting rope with
mesh and slings.

25.  Storage Trolley:
Storage of slings and ropes can otherwise be on a
wall frame of suitable hooks or on a mobile trolley.

26. TYPES OF SUSPENSION
 Axial Suspension
 Pendular Suspension
 Vertical Suspension

27.  Axial Suspension:
This occurs when all the ropes supporting a part are
attached to one ‘S’ hook which is fixed to a point
immediately above the center of joint which is to be
moved.
The movement of the limb will be on a flat plane
level with the floor.

28. Center of Hip
Joint

29.  Pendular Suspension:
Point of suspension is shifted away from the joint
axis.
Movement usually takes place against gravity.
Muscles will be getting some resistance while
moving if the axis is shifted opposite to that
movement.

30.  Vertical Suspension:
Center of gravity(COG) of the body part or the body
which is to be suspended is taken as a point of
suspension.
It is primarily used to provide support to the body
parts of the patient.

31. e.g. The abducted upper limb when the elbow is to
be moved is supported from above the center of
gravity of the arm (Vertical suspension) and Axial
suspension is used over the elbow for forearm
movement.
V
A

32. EFFECTS AND USES
 It reduces the burden on therapist.
 Easy to lift/mobilize heavy limbs of patients.
 Minimize friction during movements.
 Improves Muscular strength and Power.
 Increases ROM of joints.
 Improves Neuromuscular co-ordination.
 Maintain joint integrity and muscle properties.
 Improves Muscular endurance.
 Promote Relaxation.
 Increase blood circulation and improves venous
and lymphatic drainage.
 Provide adequate support to parts of the body.
 Prevent pressure sores.

33. TECHNIQUES FOR INDIVIDUAL JOINTS

39. REFERENCES:
 The Principles of Exercise Therapy by Dena
Gardiner
 Practical Exercise Therapy by Margaret Hollis

40. THANK YOU