A more detailled description

Once the harness is secured tightly and comfortably, the patient starts training on the treadmill (Laufband). Assisted by therapists, and his/her weigh supported by the harness, the patient stands on the treadmill, which is then set into motion. The goal of this part of the therapy is, as mentioned above, to prompt the spinal cord to react to the movement of the legs provoced by the movement of the treadmill.

With this reaction being persistant, the patient can develop his/her own walking scheme, which he/she then learns to control to a certain extent - depending strongly on the severeness of injury, i e the remaining spinal connections between the brain and the limbs.

It has shown that voluntary muscle action in most patients does not increase significantly, even as they walk. This is because the movements are controlled by the spinal cord on its own, and not by the brain, and therefore cannot be called "voluntary".

When a certain level of stability has been achieved on the treadmill, training is extended to learning to walk on solid ground. Now patient and therapists will try to establish a way for the patient to start the walking process (scheme) without the initial impetus and help of the treadmill motion.

Both phases of Laufband Therapy may be combined with other forms of rehabilitation, whereas it has shown that certain antispastic drugs interfere heavily with the ability to voluntarily control and generate muscle action (which is, on the other hand, exactly what they have to do, in order to reduce spastic reactions in the affected limbs).

After a period of 4 - 16 weeks the patient is then dismissed from clinical therapy. In order to maintain the results achieved in this initial phase, its is of course crucial to continue with the training, either in a clinic or at home. (Some addresses can be found on the "Therapies" page.)