Director

PaedDr. Petr Štainigl

Rehabilitation Services

Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Department of the Zbůch Institute operates throughout the whole year from Monday to Friday and is regularly used by some 70% of our clients. Furthermore, during the summer holiday, as most the clients leave temporarily, there are other groups of disabled using our facility, e.g. for weekly recovery sessions.
The department’s equipment is fully suitable for all kinds of rehabilitation services. It employs 11 people including 6 physiotherapists and 1 ergotherapist who provide care both to groups and to individuals. In case of the latter, the rehabilitation schedule is prepared by a team consisting of an orthopeadist, neurologist, psychiatrist, prosthetist, physiotherapist and an ergotherapist.
The therapy itself uses methods and procedures today already considered standard. The locomotion therapy is largely based on neuro-physiological methods. The particular methods are selected for clients in accordance with their current locomotor ability. The physical means at our disposal include paraffin wraps, solux Jacuzzi and an outside pool. However, we also offer methods classified as non-standard, such as the magnetotherapy, laser therapy and the biolamp. Since 2004, the rehabilitation has been equipped with a roofed swimming pool. Its bottom can be vertically adjusted and includes a whirlpool.

Rehabilitation Pool

Swimming in a pool is a specific hydrotherapic method which incorporates both the physical therapy and locomotion. The indoor pool is 8 x 4 metres large and its depth can vary from 0 to 2 metres. It also features a massage device within the walls, a counter-stream and underwater lighting. As this is a rehabilitation pool, water temperature is a key factor. Therefore, the temperature here is set to 32°C and as such it increases the myorelaxation and spasmolytic impact of water. In case of locomotion of disabled people and others with various functional disadvantages, swimming is an effective way of global physical development. The motoric system works with less burden which has a favourable impact on the overly stressed spine, the joints and ligaments. The pressure exuded by water operates evenly and allows the swimmer to assume a vertical position of the body, thus simulating a stand. Such a position would normally be quite unimaginable without various and often uncomfortable fixation aids. The pool premises offer also a whirlpool fitted with water and air massaging.

Ergotherapy

Ergotherapy is an inseparable component of complex curative rehabilitation, instructed by an experienced therapist. This is another branch where a number of both traditional and innovative procedures are implemented including the fitness ergotherapy focusing on detaching the client’s attention away from the adverse impact of his/her disability and maintaining good mental condition. The specifically oriented ergotherapy focuses on movement coordination, improvement of muscular strength and range of movements and fine motor ability improvement. Training in self-reliance in various daily tasks is another key element of ergotherapy.

Canistherapy

This method is a special form of therapy with help of animals. The dog is used as the cure. Since September 2001 has Arin, the Black Retriever bitch, been an inseparable part of the rehabilitation department. She had gone through a special training. Another dog used for these purposes is Charlie, our Dachshund. These two make the team together with physiotherapist trained at canistherapy. The dogs are primarily an important motivational element. They improve both the mental and the physical condition of the clients. Further, they bring the clients much joy. What we apply in case of clients with serious disability as that they are positioned individually in order to relax the stressed muscles gradually. Contact with the animal has got a positive impact on both the basic and delicate motor abilities. Further, it improves the reaction ability and the speaking skills.

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a rehabilitation method with a positive impact on motor disabilities, primarily on the walk. It uses the biomechanics of a horse, that is when the animal moves back and forth, up and down and also from side to side. No other methods can offer what hippotherapy does. The team consists of a physiotherapist, i.e. a physician familiar with the curative influence of horse-riding. Another member of the team is the horse’s groom responsible for proper preparation of the horse for riding. The animals are specifically selected in order to be suitable for hippotherapy. The curative riding takes place without a saddle, as the rider holds onto grips only. The training unit is between 5 to 15 minutes long, depending on the physical and mental condition of the client. The therapy takes place on the premises of our riding court, adjacent to the Institute. The clients can choose from a total of 3 horses of various size and temperament.
Hippotherapy works out all systems of the human body. It stimulates the locomotor system, the inner apparatuses, it has got a positive impact on the mental condition and has got a global influence on the physical ability of the user. The horse produces positive feelings thanks to its heat, provides subtle massage by its fur and allows for active and passive training without any hindering orders. It offers physiological exercise to people living stuck in wrong motor stereotypes. Due to its natural authority, the horse regulates the user’s emotional and mental reactions.

Relaxation Care

This is a two-week stay where parents spend their time together with their disabled child. It targets rehabilitation, methodology and consultation activities.
The child can spend the morning session with its mother engaging in curative physical exercise, ergotherapy, hydrotherapy including the usage of the swimming pool, physical therapy, hippotherapy and (weekly) a canistherapy session. The client’s physician’s approval is necessary in order to be eligible for participation in the curative methods from our offer. The number of the procedures is chosen with respect to the child’s current condition. In the afternoon, the parents can use from the offer of leisure activities.
The methodology part of stay focuses on recommendation of suitable rehabilitation and compensation aids. The aids can be also borrowed and tested at home.
Consultation and educational components motivate the child to integrate into suitable environment offering good conditions for its optimal and harmonious development.