Cerebral Palsy

CASE STUDY

Name: D.B.
Age: 19
Occupation: Student, part time radio presenter

Symptoms
Cerebral Palsy with increased tone, more marked on the right side.

D.B. has tight hip abductors, which necessitates the use of a wheelchair because walking is so difficult. D.B. sits sacrally when in his wheelchair or on a conventional seat, with shoulders hunched, shoulder blades "winged", chin protruding and cervical spine in excessive lordosis. D.B's pelvis tends to pull obliquely to the right. D.B. is not able to walk any distance.

Introduction to the Saddle Seat
D.B. saw the Bambach Saddle Seat while it was in use as a drummer's stool and thought it might work well for him. He tried the seat and was shown how to sit on it correctly to maximise the benefits as well as how to use the adjustments to maintain good position at his computer. He also used the Bambach Saddle Seat at the dining table.

Result
D.B. found the position comfortable at once, and his posture improved visibly.
When seated, his body is now symmetrical, his spine in a correct posture and his chin and neck in their neutral position. On the Bambach Saddle Seat, D.B. assumes a posture that inhibits abnormal tone, with the hips abducted and extended to 45 degrees, weight being taken through the legs and feet which are now actively being used not only to take the weight, but to push and pull in all directions to move D.B. around the room. D.B. found that he was now also using his back muscles:

'My back is a lot straighter and it has helped my walking, as I can now walk straighter and have more strength in my back.'

D.B. says he is walking greater distances now, shopping and outings are more enjoyable, and he looks and feels more "normal" as he does not need his wheelchair.

RELATED ARTICLES

Cerebral Palsy
The position of his head and neck is much better for looking at a monitor as well as for using the keyboard. Most importantly, it is preventing postural deformity in the future.

Constant Severe Back Pain
The Bambach Saddle Seat gave me strength and independence and above all, it gave me back my kitchen.

Disc Protrusion Injury
The adjustability of the seat was critical in her finally getting comfortable.

Compression fracture of C6
C.J. was introduced to the Bambach Saddle Seat by the seat's designer (also a horsewoman); she was 'willing to try anything to get relief from the constant pain'.

Dentist - Back and Sciatic Pain
'The Saddle Seat is good for my posture when operating and for my general postural awareness. As it is not an ordinary seat, it reminds you to be aware of your posture.'

Dental Assistant - Neck Pain
D.M. had neck pain resulting from work. When asked by her dentist employer to sit on a Bambach Saddle Seat (which was already in use in the surgery) she discussed the idea with her Osteopath, who said that it was a good idea.

Musician - headaches, poor posture
The Saddle Seat has given me a better lifestyle and posture.

Dental Assistant - fatigue, pain in thoracic spine
As soon as her employer became aware of F.B's symptoms of pain and fatigue in her thoracic spine, he provided her with a Bambach Saddle Seat and instructed her on how to adjust the seat to improve her posture for her work.

Amputee
When R.R. was in Sydney for the fitting of a new limb, she was so lost without the Bambach Saddle Seat that she hired one from the company for her six week stay.

School Student - Muscular Atrophy
Her head shoulders and chin are now in a comfortable position, allowing her to work and focus on her fine motor skills with the security of a stable, upright pelvis and a spine in good posture.

Downs Syndrome
Due to Down's Syndrome, T.M. has very low muscle tone. Seated on the school seat provided, his pelvis rotates backwards, which collapses his spine into a 'C' shape, his shoulders hunch, his neck is bent out of its natural alignment and shoulder blades are markedly 'winged'.

School Student - haemoplegia, low muscle tone.
D.T. finds some difficulty in maintaining her posture as the spasticity in her left side tends to make her asymmetrical. She also has a problem with her balance.

Sypholo Ephipyseal Dyplasia Congenita
C.D. told us that, in fact, he kneels on his chair in class in order to perform some tasks.

School Student - Spina Bifida
On a flat seat, N.G. has to prop on his elbows to write; on the Bambach Saddle Seat his functional ability is improved (such as when reaching, manipulating toys and educational equipment as well as pushing with his legs and feet).

Spastic Quadriplegia Cerebral Palsy
The Bambach Saddle Seat offers a firm symmetrical posture with a clear and easily maintained midline. The position of abduction and extension of the hips helps to break down abductor spasm.

Sypholo Ephipyseal Dyplasia Congenita
His physiotherapist was interested especially in offering him a seat that would help with his hip problems.

Mild Cerebral Palsy
The occupational therapist said that her lumbar spine is in a much better position on the Bambach Saddle Seat and the scoliosis is not as obvious.

Healthcare Company Workers
The seat went on trial to see whether it would satisfy the requirements of the industry as well as the needs of the employees themselves.

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