I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
BIGJAVSMOM
Posts: 503
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:11 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by BIGJAVSMOM »

Kristie- is there a better age to do this Encouragement therapy? ( i like that better than constraint)
Jav is about 1 1/2 now, and while he doesn't have use or function of his arm, he is nery aware that he has a right arm. He trys, just doesn't quite know yet how to make it work or have the strength to do it.

MArlyn
needmorshoes
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 11:01 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by needmorshoes »

I think that you really must talk to your therapist and your child's other doctors about both E-stim and "Encouragement" therapy. We do e stim regularly, but for our child, restraint would be extremely cruel. Our child has so little use of the affected arm that he would not be able to do ANYTHING for himself. For children that do not have such severe limitations, I think this could be a positive way to make the affected arm stronger and to make them use it more for daily activities. Only you can make the decision, after talking with your childs team of doctors and therapists. Good luck with whatever you decide.
admin
Site Admin
Posts: 19873
Joined: Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:59 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by admin »

We politely "encouraged". We brought a stuffed animal with us to therapy because teddy wanted to take part in therapy. So the unaffected arm had to hold teddy so that teddy could watch while the affected arm did it's games. It worked out great. Our child followed up with this at home as well.
Kristie
Posts: 424
Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2001 12:38 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by Kristie »

Marlyn,
I tried to e-mail you but it came back! I totally agree that it is really a decision that has to be made by the parents along with the help of a therapist. I would be more than willing to share our experiences but I am not comfortable doing that on a public board. If you would like to e-mail me that would be great!
Blessings,
Kristie
BIGJAVSMOM
Posts: 503
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:11 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by BIGJAVSMOM »

Kristie - I emailed you back


MArlyn
marlyncma@hotmail.com
jamielane
Posts: 62
Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2004 11:27 pm

Re: I need info on how e-stim and constraint therapy works

Post by jamielane »

Hi,
We use both, e-stim and (we call it) "forced use", my son hates both and still once we get him wrapped with the ace wrap and get his stim in place he's fine. We have seen improvement with his stim, now we do not sleep in it. We use it for 20 minutes 3 times a day. We only do forced use once a day for however long until he manages to wiggle out. It could be 20 minutes , it could be a hour. I do not mind forced use for Carson. He can't eat or drink with his bpi arm but he can play.
You know your child better than anyone, always remember that.
Please feel free to email me with any additional questions.
Good Luck
Jamie and Carson
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