Robotic Therapy: What Is It and How Does It Help You Walk Again?
Posted on: 14 September 2016
If you suffer from a spinal injury that prevents you from walking, your doctor will most likely prescribe spinal rehabilitation as one of your treatments. Spinal rehabilitation is a unique therapy used to help individuals with stroke or traumatic injuries regain their ability to walk. One of the newest rehabilitation treatments is robotic therapy. Here are more details about robotic therapy and what you can do to improve the health and strength of your spine and body during rehabilitation.
What's Robotic Therapy?
The use of robotic technology in the medical field isn't a new concept. Physicians use bionic, robotic arms to help them perform surgeries and use advanced medical techniques. Some specialists use robotic technology to replace the limbs of patients lost to injuries, disease, and birth defects. There's also one more unique use for robotic technology, and it's called a robotic exoskeleton.
The robotic exoskeleton is a bionic apparatus that looks similar to an open bodysuit equipped with arm, back, knee, and leg straps. The exoskeleton uses sensors, motors, and computer software to operate, but it doesn't do the actual walking for you. The weight of your body activates the device's motors, sensors and software to come on when you stand up or move your limbs. The exoskeleton relays power to your limbs as you take steps to help you move forward.
The device also uses a special harness or brace that fits around your abdomen to support and strengthen your damaged spine during your rehabilitation sessions. As your muscles and tissues improve, you rely less on the exoskeleton's power-boosting abilities and more on your body's strength to walk again.
If you'd like to learn more about the robotic exoskeleton or find out if it's offered in your area, speak to your chiropractor for more information. Until then, you can take steps to strengthen your spine and body in other ways.
What Can You Do to Strengthen Your Spine and Body?
One of the most important things you might do to regain your body and spine's strength and complement your robotic-exoskeleton therapy is eat a healthy diet each day. If your doctor or chiropractor approves, try to incorporate foods that contain vitamins A, B12, and K in your diet. The nutrients help rebuild muscle and bone tissues that can become vulnerable and weak during body injuries. Some of the nutrients protect your cells and immune system from infections and other contaminants that hinder your recovery and therapy.
Foods to keep in mind are liver, leafy green vegetables, and fat-free milk and yogurt. If you need assistance in developing a healthy meal plan, consult with a chiropractor or nutritionist right away.
For more information about robotic therapy or strengthening your spine and body during rehabilitation therapy, contact a chiropractor, such as one at Chiropractic Health And Wellness.
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