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.
TheraTogs inventor and co-founder Beverly (Billi) Cusick will be stepping back up to the webcam next Wednesday for her first-ever TheraTogs “Ask Me Anything” session dedicated to answering questions from caregivers. The session is open free of charge to all caregivers who are curious, interested, or recommended to use TheraTogs – and to current and past TheraTogs users, as well.
The mission: to help caregivers understand – and effectively use – TheraTogs to support their childrens’ specific therapy goals.
The 45-minute session is offered on Wednesday, May 13, 10:00 to 10:45 AM Mountain (12:00 noon Eastern, 9:00 Pacific). Pre-registration (www.theratogs.com/ama-caregiver) is required.
“To help streamline the proceedings, we encourage caregivers to either submit their questions during signup, or email them before the event,” noted Lee Taylor, TheraTogs CEO. “This will help Billi prepare efficient responses to the most common questions, so we can cover the widest range of topics that time permits.”
Questions can be emailed to info@theratogs.com prior to the event. TheraTogs will record and offer playback of this initial session, and will schedule additional events as demand requires.
(Note: the Q&A session will be conducted in English.)
TheraTogs inventor and co-founder Beverly (Billi) Cusick will be stepping up to the webcam June 4th for another live “Ask Me Anything” session on TheraTogs.
The session is sponsored and hosted by FisioVital, the exclusive TheraTogs distributor in Brazil – and broadcast live on Instagram!
The 60-minute session is offered on June 4th:
7:00 – 8:00 pm BRT / 4:00 to 5:00 pm US Mountain (6:00 PM Eastern, 3:00 PM Pacific). Questions and answers will be in English, with real-time Portuguese translation by Fisiovital’s founder and Commercial Director, Juliana Galindo.
Questions can be emailed to fisiovital@fisiovital.com.br prior to the event.