The DPA Med is a medical device designed to facilitates tonus adjustment and enhances core motor control by replicating pelvic gait patterns.
It helps reduce complications associated with prolonged bed rest, enhances the recovery of functional capacities, accelerates traditional rehabilitation, and improves the quality of life and autonomy of patients.
The DPA Med stimulates the thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-pelvi-femoral complexes, enhancing proprioception and neuromuscular coordination. It targets deep spinal and pelvic muscles, as well as hip stabilizers, and promotes shoulder-pelvis girdles dissociation. Additionally, the DPA Med increases joint range of motion (knee, hip, pelvis, spine), improving body posture, balance, and contributing to the enhancement of the 6-Minute Walking test (6-MWT).
Whether used in patients' rooms or rehabilitation settings, the DPA Med is beneficial for mobilizing patients in orthopedics, neurology, and geriatrics.
KEY POINTS:
FIELDS OF APPLICATION AND PATHOLOGIES
The global and functional approach of DPA Med allows to bring significant results in the pathologies affecting the spine and walking, from a osteoarticular point of view but also neurological.
Diseases related to the spine: degenerative low back pain, herniated discs, narrow lumbar canal, idiopathic scoliosis
Walking-related diseases: post-stroke hemiplegia, gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, Parkinson’s disease, camptocormia
The DPA Med also equips hospitals and University hospitals for pathologies related to the respiratory system by working the chest ampliation. It also helps to preserve the osteoarticular and muscular capacities of patients during slip syndromes and prolonged bed rest (geriatrics, nephrology, resuscitation and post-resuscitation).
BELT DISSOCIATION TECHNIQUE
DPA Med mobilizes the lower limbs by integrating a repetitive 3D lemniscatory movement. By propagation, this movement is transmitted to the upper structures by mobilizing the lumbo-pelvi-femoral complex to the cervical spine. One of the interests of this technique is to generate a dissociation between the scapular and pelvic belts, a decisive element during walking. The DPA Med can be used for the patient in active or passive mode.
Locomotor stimulation is now crucial in orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation (Laborde et al. 2003). The goal for the therapist is to set up a rehabilitation program aimed at restoring or improving functional abilities biomechanical, physiological and neurological. The theme of walking is a central element in rehabilitation since it is a vital function in man, conditioning his standard of living and autonomy (Nadeau et al. 1999). Some key factors are clearly identified, and it is now proven that exercises focused on repetition of a movement (active or passive), improvement of joint mobility, muscle building or proprioception are fundamental.
Muscle relaxation
Pelvic and sub-pelvic releases contribute to the rebalancing of the pelvis. It is also essential for lumbar prophylaxis and locomotion.
Proprioception
A work of proprioception facilitates locomotion whatever its level as well as good practices of the back (postures, movements etc...). It facilitates good back practices (postures, movements).
Joint mobility
Healthy subjects have higher joint amplitudes in the pelvis and spine compared to low back pain or pathological walkers (coxarthrosis, prosthesis, etc.).
Muscle building
Walking requires strengthening of the abdominal belt and lower limb stabilizers.
Neuromuscular coordination
Neuromuscular reprogramming in chronic low back pain and people with pathological walking (hemiplegic, amputated, ...) is necessary to reintegrate an optimal walking pattern.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FASCIAS IN REEDUCATION
Drawing its origin from the Latin meaning «band», the fascias constitute the connective tissue and represent an important part in the human body. They are present in the skin, bones, cartilage, tendons, joints, muscles as well as in the brain and spinal cord.
The peculiarity of fascias is to be interconnected as a web in the human body. Recent research has shown that they are more innervated than muscles or joints. Therefore, they are very sensitive to pain and provide valuable information in terms of movement (kinesthetic landmarks).
Depending on various factors (stress, depression, inactivity, physical inactivity), fascias can deteriorate and cause inflammatory mechanisms. This is one of the reasons why acute and chronic low back pain is difficult to treat.
The contribution of mobility and physical activity helps to regenerate the cells of fascias and thus limit certain joint and muscular pathologies. By simultaneously mobilizing several segmental chains (lower limbs, pelvis, spine), the DPA Med acts directly on the stimulation of fascia cells.
CONTINUOUS ADPATATION WITH THE PATIENT
Thanks to the automatic leg attachment system, the DPA Med generates a specific mobilization according to the patient’s capabilities.
The kinematics generated by the device is continuously adjusted on the joint capacities (knees, hips, pelvis, spine) as well as on the muscle release of the deep and peripheral muscles.
During the session, the movement initiated by the DPA Med remains identical but the patient’s mobility and release increases and results in larger amplitudes. This technique allows an osteoarticular work always optimal concerning the capacities of the patient at a given moment.
DIFFERENT MOBILIZATION SPEEDS
The DPA Med integrates three speeds of osteoarticular mobilization allowing a gradual evolution in the management:
DIGITAL INTERFACE CONNECTS
The DPA Med can be used with a tablet or with your own phone (under IOS). The intuitive interface allows you to quickly select the program to perform.
All programs allow you to choose specifically the speed of mobilization, the level of pumping joint and the duration of the session.
A patient history is maintained to objectively assess management.
Bed rest is often caused by a neurological disease, accident, functional disability or pregnancy at risk. Prolonged bed rest causes shrinkage and loss of muscle tone with a deconditioning to the effort causing in turn, blood stagnation in the veins and an inflammatory reaction in the joints and muscles due to poor elimination of toxic waste from the body. This continuous position causes the sense of movement and posture in space to change. Bedridden people often have urinary and digestive problems. So how do we combat muscle loss?
Better than a traction table, the DPA Med offers a repetitive and regular algorithm that combines traction of the spine and neuromuscular decompression. The pendulum movement promotes joint mobility and strengthening of deep muscles for lasting action over time. This technique, derived from osteopathic maneuvers, promotes the mobilization of the scapular, pelvic and abdominal belts and the work of the lower limbs. The mechanical oscillation mobilizes the articulatory amplitude and improves blood circulation and intestinal transit by eliminating bad toxins from the body. This treatment is proposed for neuromuscular reprogramming and functional rehabilitation of the body. DPA allows to work, restore and stimulate the proprioceptive system: System responsible for the conscious or unconscious perception of the position of the body in space. This tool allows to regain autonomy in mobility and to provide reassurance to patients about the capacities and potentialities to recover partially or completely after a prolonged bedrest. This system is committed to sustainable functional improvement.
After a session of DPA, the hemiplegic people could see a decrease in joint pain and ease of moving from the chair to the bed.
