Transforming Rehabilitation with the Gait Harness System

The Gait Harness System is a state-of-the-art, evidenced-based rehabilitation tool designed to support safe, controlled movement, making it an ideal choice for people recovering from various mobility impairments or neuromuscular conditions.

The Gait Harness System benefits those with conditions such as spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, and multiple sclerosis. By providing partial weight-bearing support, this system enables clients to practice walking, standing, and balance with reduced risk, fostering strength and confidence in a safe, supportive environment.

What is a Gait Harness System?

A Gait Harness System is a unique piece of rehabilitation equipment that partially supports the user's body weight while they engage in walking, standing, or balance exercises. Users are secured in a harness, attached to a movable frame that provides flexibility and adaptability based on the user’s needs.

This support helps individuals work on functional movements without the fear of falling, allowing them to focus on their gait, posture, and muscle engagement in a controlled and safe manner.

This system is particularly beneficial for individuals with reduced leg strength or balance challenges, as it helps them practice movements safely and effectively. It’s also an invaluable tool in cases where traditional weight-bearing exercises may be too challenging or unsafe due to physical limitations.

Who Can Benefit from a Gait Harness System?

The Gait Harness System is designed for individuals facing various mobility challenges, making it suitable for:

• Stroke Rehabilitation: Helps stroke survivors improve muscle control, coordination, and strength by safely practicing gait patterns.

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Offers a controlled environment for safe movement practice, allowing for muscle retraining and strengthening in the legs.

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Supports the recovery of walking abilities, balance, and strength through focused gait training.

• Multiple Sclerosis and Neurological Conditions: Provides valuable support for balance and gait retraining, accommodating clients’ changing physical abilities.

• Amputees and Chronic Pain Patients: Offers a reduced-weight environment for movement, aiding clients with chronic pain or recent limb loss to build confidence and strength.

Key Benefits of the Gait Harness System for Rehabilitation

• Improved Functional Strength
  The Gait Harness System enables safe, repetitive practice, helping to build strength in the legs and improve mobility in key areas like the hips, knees, and ankles.

• Enhanced Mobility and Joint Flexibility
  By allowing controlled weight-bearing exercises, the Gait Harness System promotes joint flexibility and range of motion in the lower limbs, essential for walking and other functional activities.

• Increased Aerobic Fitness
  Repetitive movement within the harness can improve cardiovascular fitness, as clients can perform high-repetition exercises that would otherwise be challenging or unsafe.

• Reduced Fall Risk and Improved Safety
  Clients can focus on movement techniques without the fear of falling, allowing for confident practice of walking, standing, and balance exercises, crucial for regaining independence.

• Neuroplasticity and Muscle Memory
  The high repetition possible with the Gait Harness System is essential for neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to rewire itself. This helps in creating new motor patterns, particularly beneficial for clients recovering from neurological conditions.

• Better Circulation and Lymphatic Drainage
  Moving in an upright position encourages blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the lower limbs, which can reduce swelling and support overall health.

• Bone Density Maintenance
  Regular, controlled weight-bearing exercises in the Gait Harness System help combat bone density loss, which can occur due to prolonged immobility or minimal load-bearing.

• Positive Mental Health Impact
  Being upright and interacting with others at eye level can boost mood, self-esteem, and social engagement, contributing to mental well-being during recovery.

Types of Training with the Gait Harness System

1. Over-Ground Training

Over-ground training with the Gait Harness System allows clients to walk or stand on flat ground. In this mode, the user controls their speed and movement, working on real-life walking techniques and propulsion. This mode is especially useful for:

• Improving coordination in the different stages of walking

• Building push-off strength to generate forward movement

• Practicing balance and stability in a controlled setting

Physiotherapists can adjust the weight-bearing level, making it easier or more challenging as the client progresses.

2. Treadmill Training

Treadmill training with the Gait Harness System allows for repetitive, consistent movement without the need for the user to generate forward propulsion actively. The treadmill provides a steady walking speed, enabling clients to focus on gait and posture while achieving a higher volume of practice repetitions.

This mode is particularly beneficial for:

• Neuroplasticity: The constant motion allows for high repetition, which is essential for retraining the brain and nervous system.

• Endurance and Stamina: Treadmill training builds endurance, which can improve cardiovascular fitness and overall strength.

• Consistency: The continuous motion aids clients who struggle with initiating steps or maintaining a steady gait.

Why Choose Thrive Health Therapies for Gait Harness System Training?

At Thrive Health Therapies, we understand the importance of personalised care. Our physiotherapists tailor Gait Harness System training to each client's unique needs, using a structured approach that maximises safety and effectiveness.

• Experienced Physiotherapists: Our team has extensive experience working with clients who have neurological, orthopedic, and mobility challenges.

• Convenient Location: Our clinic in Findon, Adelaide, is fully accessible and equipped with advanced rehabilitation technology, including the Gait Harness System.

• Home Visits Available: For clients who prefer or need home-based physiotherapy, we offer in-home services across Adelaide.

• Comprehensive Approach: Our physiotherapists integrate the Gait Harness System with other treatments, such as strength training and balance exercises, for a holistic approach to rehabilitation.

We are proud to offer state-of-the-art, evidence-based physiotherapy tools like the Gait Harness System to help clients achieve greater independence, strength, and mobility. Our physiotherapists work collaboratively with our occupational therapists and speech therapists within multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive and tailored support to participants.

Contact us today to find out how the Gait Harness System can assist your rehabilitation!