Vojta's Reflexlocomotion Therapy in children with motor difficulties

Reflexlocomotion was developed by the Paediatric Neurologist, Prof. Dr. Vojta at the beginning of the 1950's and has since been systematically developed.

Dr. Vojta observed motor reactions occurring through out the body as a result of specific stimulation given when the patient was placed in specific positions. He established that components of these movements provoked global dynamic muscle activity that are found in all forms of human movement or locomotion. "Global patterns" form the basis of Reflexlocomotion a term that refers to the motor responses resulting from the application of Reflexlocomotion.

Musculature through out the body is activated in a coordinated manner and the nervous system is addressed at all regulatory levels. Besides the skeletal musculature, muscles involved in facial expression, eye movements, the swallowing process, bladder and bowel function, and breathing are also activated. This flow of authentic motor reactions is provoked by graded pressure applied on certain body parts, with the patient placed in specific positions (lying in the back, side-lying, and lying in the tummy). They are part of human movement processes such as grasping, rolling, creeping, crawling, and walking.

The therapeutic goals of Reflexlocomotion are: to facilitate the automatic regulation or control of the body's position, to facilitate the active maintenance of the support function of the extremities, and to stimulate coordinated muscle activity.

In the practical application, there are two basic coordination complexes:
  • Reflex creeping
  • Reflex rolling

Global patterns form the basis of the motor rehabilitation of babies, children, adolescents, and adults. It is possible to stimulate these important patterns from early movement like the "building blocks/bricks" of the normal movement in children with movement disorders. In babyhood, Reflexlocomotion is utilized within the framework of early intervention and the best results are gained at this time. At this age the central nervous system's malleability or "plasticity" is greatest.

Reflexlocomotion can play an important role in the domain of rehabilitation to improve the quality of life in children and adults with motor disorders. A Vojta trained Physiotherapist is responsible for the implementation of the Therapy. The developed "therapy programme" is regularly supervised and matched to the patient's movement development.

You may wish to refer your child yourself, or the suggestion may come from your GP or the hospital specialist.

It is never too early to seek help, advice and, if necessary, physiotherapy treatment. A "physio check" for your baby or child may simply help to put your mind at rest!

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