Wearable Therapy: TheraTogs™ Systems, Uses, & Scientific Foundations

A 3.5-Day Didactic Program

Facilitator: Beverly Cusick, PT, MS, NDT, COF/BOC

Day 1 of this program features an overview of sciences of neuromotor and orthopedic development including established principles of kinesiology and biomechanics, physiologic adaptation of body tissues to routine use, new developments in motor learning, and the role of the somatosensory system in this process. The instructor demonstrates the implementation of the sciences in an introduction to TheraTogs Orthotic Garment and Strapping Systems as a modality for expanding successes in therapy sessions into daily life to optimize functioning alignment and stability, and reviews published research.

Day 2 of this program expands upon the introductory content presented on Day 1 with a discussion of skeletal modeling mechanisms and the achievement of postural control as a foundation for movement acquisition. She explores the nature of muscle tone and the relationship of muscle tone to routine use, both typical and pathologic. The program ends with suggestions for using TheraTogs in early intervention to optimize resting postures and the acquisition of essential ingredients for postural control.

Day 3 of this program applies the content from Days 1 and 2 and delves into functioning alignment issues related to the spine, the ankles, and unequal limb length. After demonstrating the Dragonfly TLSO and the molding and fitting process, the instructor reviews the assessment of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion as an important component of optimizing the support base with orthotics. She brings ankle ROM to discussions of postural control deficits and functioning malalignment as they occur in children with idiopathic toe walking, equinus deformity, hemiplegic cerebral palsy, and scissor gait. The program ends with a discussion of the typical development of the hip joint and femur in the transverse plane with a lab session devoted to distinguishing between femoral anteversion and antetorsion.

Day 4 is a half-day program that applies the content from Days 1-3 and is devoted to the biomechanical and developmental factors inherent in intoed and out-toed gait. Instructor reviews the related – and refined – musculoskeletal assessment procedures of hip rotation ROM, modified Ryder’s Test for femoral torsion, and the Thigh-Foot Angle and applies the findings to the safe use of TheraTogs strapping applications. The didactic program ends with suggestions for further research.