March 5, 2015

NASA Technology Comes to Friendship Manor!

Mark LeverenzBy Mark Leverenz, OTR/L
Director of Rehabilitation
Friendship Manor
(309) 786-9334

When an apple fell onto his head and he formulated the law of gravity, Sir Isaac Newton began to understand the role of gravity in controlling the moon’s orbit. However, Newton probably didn’t realize the profound effect of this force on the human body. These effects become more noticeable as we mature towards “refined adulthood” (that sounds better than old-age).

The results of gravity’s constant downward pull on our faces, shoulders, backs, necks, chests, organs, legs and feet are painfully obvious to most of us. Gravity never gives up, nor does it discriminate. Young or old, couch potatoes or athletes – we will all experience change to our bodies as a result of life on this planet!

Friendship Manor’s Therapy Department has taken steps to help you defy gravity with an exciting new piece of equipment. The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill has arrived, NASA technology included, to give us one of the best available therapy tools on the market.

This is a basic treadmill at its core, but amazingly allows reduction of the effects of gravity in 1 percent increments to support up to 80 percent of a person’s weight. Therapeutically, this allows us to help you work on basic level skills, such as standing and walking, with less stress on your body while virtually eliminating the fear of falling. We can also challenge higher level skills like transitioning from a walker to a cane, or to no device at all, in a safe and predictable environment.

The Alter-G Treadmill is the latest of several tools at our disposal to help improve the functioning of our clients. A physician’s order is required for therapy services, but if you have any questions about qualifying for our services, please call or stop by the therapy room and ask to talk to Mark or Kristie Leverenz. We’d love to answer your questions and promise to give an honest appraisal of therapy’s possible benefits in your fight to stay upright!


 

Mark Leverenz is Director of Rehabilitation at Friendship Manor.

He can be reached at (309) 786-9334.

Filed Under: Health & Wellness

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