Understanding More About Our Treatments
Reputable & Innovative
We have a reputation to live up to. This treatment method has been used for over 40 years. It was developed by Edward A Snapp P.T. during the early 1970's. Mr. Snapp was not satisfied with the usual and customary methods for treating problems such as Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Strokes, and Spinal Cord Injury. He had been using all of the customary physical therapy techniques and was always reaching what is known as a plateau with his patients. He began to look in other areas to find a solution. He ran across two men by the names of Glen Doman and Carl Delacato who designed and controlled treatment methods at the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, PA. They were working with children and adults with learning disabilities and functional disabilities. Through developmental, neonatal crawling patterns, they were achieving positive mental and physical benefits from the individuals they worked with. Ed was impressed at their success and began research of his own. He eventually began to have some ideas that he at first thought must be far fetched, but decided to give them a try. He assumed that since they were retrieving results with neonatal patterns (functional information organized after you are born), that he should be able to also use sensory information from prenatal development (functional information organized before you are born) as well. The fetal position was the first and most obvious relationship to prenatal memory and function. He discovered immediate results from using the fetal position and darkness to stimulate healing in his patients. Of course he was surprised to find that his theory of using this developmental posture was just the beginning of an incredible discovery.
Currently, because of Ed's tremendous dedication, we are well ahead of this basic shift of thinking. It is perceptible that in future of rehabilitation that we will be able to help people much faster than ever imagined without surgeries, drugs or expensive therapeutic necessity. The reality is that we already are doing so much more that what is thought possible. In the recent past there have been great improvements in our abilities to help individuals experiencing CNS disorders of all types. Originally, treatment sessions were 30 days long and some people would come 3 - 4 times a year. In many cases, the results that were gained in this amount of time, we now retrieve in a 2 week period of sensory stimulation. Some who require a more involved program may return every three months and continue a home program which is taught near the end of the session. We show family members or caregivers how to correctly achieve home program results and continue to assist them in any questions that they may have. Those who continue this serious protocol will achieve the most benefit from their program. We have also began to again offer extended treatment protocols to include up to 5 weeks of therapy for those who need this intensified recovery.
A New Perspective
In our experience, we have seen that most neurological and developmental disorders can be greatly improved to allow an individual to become more independent, mentally and physically.
It can be observed that most developmental and neurological disorders have great similarities within postures, contractures, muscle tone, visual failures, speech difficulties, unique movement patterns, and other symptoms. The reason for these similarities is more obvious than what we have previously realized. Human development is significant to our existence, structure, and function. All developmental sensations, postures, movements, and experiences from the 1st cell of the first trimester to birth are vital to our developmental function. In each cell we possess DNA, the blue print of life and the only true map of our creation and existence. No other record contains as much information about the early earth environment, constant earth changes, our bodies, central nervous systems, and the processes necessary to allow human beings to function correctly, even after an injury or dysfunction.
When a person has a traumatic, toxic, or anoxic experience, the central nervous system (CNS) will regress to an earlier pattern of prenatal function and posture. This seems to allow the CNS to retrieve data from genetic information. By doing so, our nervous system attempts to correct the problems systematically and chronologically at the earliest level of developmental function available. By understanding what is happening, it is now possible to say that the problem is no longer one of muscle tone, muscle contractures, visual failures or unique movement patterns, but the problem is one of central nervous system failure of reprogramming. The original environment needed for reprogramming to occur is not available, creating a loop of dysfunction and a lack of recovery. This failure can be greatly improved or corrected by creating an environment including specific stimuli to allow the nervous system to advance to each functional level automatically. This is what our programs are all about.
We have found that it is much more difficult to teach high level function to a person who is not developmentally or neurologically prepared for that level of function. Therefore, we must stimulate the earlier developed levels of function in the chronological order that they were originally developed, and in an environment similar to the original one remembered by the genetic code. By working from these basic developmental building blocks, changes occur in multiple areas of function without having to focus on skills, specific muscle strengthening, stretching, orthopedic enhancement, gait training, or other aspects of traditional rehabilitation. We are allowing the client to enjoy the treatment in a passive environment, without the stress of making progress, goal orientation, or repetitious practice of activities that he or she already knows how to do but cannot; because the nervous system is searching for earlier stimuli.
Our processes have been in action for over 40 years. By working with a multitude of clients with multiple neurological and developmental disorders, Ed Snapp P.T. was able to relate pattern and behavior to the prenatal and neonatal development of human beings. This research has led to a vast window of knowledge that will allow generations of the future to treat developmental and neurological disorders in a way that is perhaps more natural and passive than any other methods of our time. These therapies are the forefront of rehabilitation and are stepping away from surgical processes to correct muscle failures, scoliosis, and visual failures. We are stepping away from medications as the only method to prevent problems of tension, stress, anxiety, depression, ADD, ADHD, spastic muscular activity, and learning disorders.
Treatment Processes
Our program offers 5-7 hours of passive neuromuscular reeducation, sensory integration, hydrotherapy, and other aspects of natural physical rehabilitative methods. Treatment sessions include 10 days over a 2 week period of neurosensory stimulation but can also be tailored to fit busy schedules and extended periods (up to 5 weeks). However, even in short half day treatments clients find the program to be relaxing, very helpful, and extremely beneficial for their quality of life and function.
The unique environment in which we work, plays a significant role in the results that we are able to retrieve. A dimly lit room with a warm, comfortable atmosphere and quiet peacefulness is just one of many relaxing and therapeutic components one will experience while attending these treatment sessions. Those with sleeping problems may rest much better while attending the program, and it is likely that they may continue to do so at home, beyond the treatment process.
It would seem that one would have to work very hard to relearn and exercise the parts of the brain or nervous system that were damaged in an accident. We know that this is not the case. Individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury commonly know many details. Though they cannot function as we see normal, they remember how to walk, run, reach out, and other complex movements, though the function is not readily available. It is then necessary to go back to the point of the developmental function that is available, apply passive stimulus that relates to that portion of development, and allow the individual to progress at a natural pace. This is truly much faster than trying to teach around a disability, and the result is an automatic; not a relearned response. Our genetics contain all of the information needed for the recovery of lost function.
The future of rehabilitation starts here.
Let us unlock your full potential.
Client Expectations
Our intent has always been to recover lost function, not to teach around a disability. We have seen many wonderful changes in our clients, though some were not expected or intended.
Due to the fact that we are applying sensory information to the central nervous system to bring about a total change in function, we affect more than the apparent problem area. For instance, if we see there is a problem in use of the hands, arms, feet or legs, we may begin by working with the area of the chest, abdomen and back. Instead of working with the obvious problem area, we will focus on the prenatal development of the background of that function and work from that level and earlier to bring about a significant and permanent result. We will continue with this sort of pattern throughout the remainder of the program.
In the case of traumatic brain injury or other type of central nervous system disorder, just by working with the trunk we may see a change in many different areas of the body within a few days. The first visual signs that the therapy is taking some effect on the client include but are not limited too:
Noticeable use of the back extensor muscles bilaterally
Increased trunk stability and coordination
Change in bowel movements
Change in diet or digestion
More balanced muscle tone of the extremities
Improved head control
Improved visual awareness and cognitive responses
Some of these things seem to mean little to an individual who functions normally but to someone who has limited ability these enhancements may change their overall attitude, comfort level and daily functional abilities. Note that these are only initial results stated above. It is not uncommon to see many more improvements depending on the situation.
With common methods used to treat these problems, you may see many different specialists focusing on treatment for each different problem. With the methods we are using, the body is the practitioner. We do not attempt to focus on the individual problems, but allow the nervous system to scan its own information and find the proper solution for the dysfunction. This program is derived from the natural development of the human nervous system and will allow anyone to gain more ability from their current situation. Even a problem like hand-eye coordination or a basic physical limitation like mild scoliosis may be naturally improved. We would use a passive compilation of sensations to gain the positive results in each situation, without attempting to correct any specific problems.
We do not attempt to diagnose or treat any specific illness or dysfunction. We leave that up to the doctors. We simply put the client in an environment that is understood by the central nervous system to be an early developmental period. By applying sensory stimulation in the proper order of significance, the central nervous system can make changes on its own without medications, orthopedic processes or surgeries which may accompany many traditional methods.
In most cases we are able to improve the lives of those people experiencing Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Post Polio Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Autism, Scoliosis, ADD & ADHD.
Our program involves 5-7 hours of sensory stimulation per day for 10 days over a two week period. This includes controlled lighting, specific temperature, noise control, range of motion, specific hydrotherapy, postural rest, correlating movements, pressure points, linear contractile stimulation, massage and other soothing and relaxing procedures that are important to success. There is a lunch period during which the client stays in the environment provided but can be assisted by parent, guardian or loved one. We assist the client throughout the day with all needs they may have. We attempt to make them as comfortable as possible and to feel at home.
Our Expectations
For your information, it is usually rare that someone comes in with a serious trauma and leaves completely well. We are not miracle workers as many have declared. We will do our best with you or your family member to help his/her/your nervous system bring about the necessary changes for improvements. When we are finished here it is important that the parents or guardians of the client resume an active home program to continue the stimulation to the nervous system. You may well see results that continue to astonish you without a continuing program though for optimal results it is best for whoever is responsible to continue a specified program at home. Some people are under the impression that after one session another may not be necessary. There are certain circumstances in which this is true, but in most cases we recommend a follow up assessment and treatment session that is generally scheduled in three to six months. This reschedule is not a requirement but will be discussed with each client nearing the end of each session.
We hope this information is helpful for you. Thank you for your interest in our program. If you feel that you or someone you know may be a candidate for this program, or if you have any questions regarding a particular situation, please contact James Snapp LMT.
623.755.7041
