ABR is a biomechanical approach to cerebral palsy, brain injury, stroke, near drowning and other brain assaults. With such an injury, there is a progressive collapse of the myofascia which supports the musculo-skeletal systems. The myofascia are bands of interconnected tissue which allow systems to function as a whole. This collapse is evidenced in scoliosis, hip subluxation, spasticity, dystonia, contractures and numerous motor impairments.
ABR believes that parents, with training, can bring back volume to the collapsed structures. With a functional body hydraulic system, normalization of structure through the strengthening of the myofascia produces mobility and function. All change is a function of non-invasive procedures: traditional physical therapy, orthopedic procedures and surgeries are avoided, and the use of botox is eschewed.
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| Adam and Leonid, sitting with some support |
All sessions are preceded by an evaluation of all the structural components of the body. Skin quality, tone, volume, function, change are considered in the development of individual prescriptions of various activities. Evaluations usually last one to two hours and are video-taped and photographed so that long range change can be plotted both for personal and science based reasons. Change is evidenced in photos over the years.
We have just returned from Adam's evaluation in Montreal by Leonid Blyum, the developer of ABR. It's important to note that Adam is among the most compromised ABR clients given the extent of his brain assault: 25 minutes under water. Numerous children and adults have lesser structural issues.
In the last six months, Leonid noted that the skin quality of Adam's upper arms and volume in his thighs has significantly improved, making room for muscular expansion. He is eating better as his jaw is more properly aligned. His thorax is now level (originally the left side was higher and the right sunken). The space between his vertebrae has expanded and the ribs are rotating toward the proper positions. His spine is gradually straightening and the pelvic floor is moving into a more proper position. We are very pleased with evaluation, the observations and ongoing predictability of change.
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| Sharon, Adam, Leonid...thoracic evaluation |
Over the next two days, Leonid introduced parents to further refinements of ABR theory and applications and we were trained in new specific applications to continue the change. Despite the severity of Adam's injury, his health is superb, spasticity lessening, and his body normalizing. It's a marathon, over seven years so far, and probably many more. The change has always been unidirectional and that is in a positive, predictable direction. The following blog will examine some of the new prescriptions and and areas we will work on for strengthening. Underneath all spasticity is underlying weakness of the myofascia layers.
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| Leonid, Gavin, Sharon..examining new folds as they emerge |
Wow!!! Way to go Adam, Sharon, Phil and MB!!! Leonid must be as thrilled as everyone to see Adam sitting! I am so happy for you all, amazing!
ReplyDeleteLisa..thanks, MB is also pleased with Adam's evaluation although she couldn't come up with us to Montreal..we're looking forward to the new exercises and more changes...it's a marathon
ReplyDeleteThis is good news! Wonderful to hear that the therapy is working for your son.
ReplyDeleteDear Phil & Sharon,
ReplyDeleteWOW WOW WOW! that's just so fantastic, I am jumping up and down but had to sit from wheezing and so I could type lol!, I'm no Mr B, but wow wow wow, having the privilege and honour to meet Adam himself last Summer, I can so see the difference from then to now..., the photo of him smiling the other day to this, to his posture etc... WOW WOW WOW! (lost for words! except WOW!)
You inspire us newbies so so much, in words I cannot express. We'll be going in a months time.
Love
Mel
xxx
It's always great to have Leonid's discerning eyes, and penetrating mind, acknowledge, support, and verify the work we all do. Commitment to the healing of those we love is, and should always be, our main goal.
ReplyDeleteABR makes this possible in a world where so many, with various disabilities, find positive change, informed and clear direction, and perhaps best of all high hopes.
Great work Phil, thanks for sharing this with everyone.
Meb
Oh N.B. to Mel,
ReplyDeleteWOW also means, Wise Oatie Will!!
xoxo
Meb
Wow, Mel! I can see you doing cartwheels and hugs (and sorta glad I'm out of your squeeze range). Question for Phil, Mel, Clair, and Lisa: No question that ABR works, although it is hard work and time consuming for those applying the treatment, but well worth it. As for the recipient (s),does the ABR training include guidance on how much to push specific treaments and how to read tolerance levels of your children in terms of duration, realizing that you know your children bettern than anyone?
ReplyDeleteThanks Meb, you always say the nicest things, sending you a super hug back, you Sharon, Phil and Adam make a great team.
ReplyDeleteWell, my bone crunching hugs, would give Leonid a new task for sure lol! R, even the cat's hid... I showed the photo to my family who were also jumping up an down... Oatie was knee bending...
Well being a newbie and having a bench resisting one at first, now held an almost picket protest that I didn't do his ABR today, he told EVERY living thing in the house his complaint!
I think Phil/Sharon or Lisa might be more qualified to answer Richar, but, if you mean on an individual session, I know which are his favourites. ABR doesn't hurt, it's so gradual and gentle that's the beauty of it, I can be using two tools either side of his neck for eg and we could sit there till I'm uncomfortable (numb bottom), he'll turn and say "More mama!" I think If I could give Oatie 5 hours a day, he'd quite happily take it, I just wish I had more to give.
If you thinking of actual direct pressure, you can just "feel it" and when you first train, the lovely lovely lovely trainers get you to get the "feeling" on them, so they're your guinea pig... and it's that "feeling" you feel change as the months go on with that exercise.
Love Mel xxx
Phil, so wonderful to read this update and to see Adam's progress. I'm so glad that you found ABR and that you are seeing such amazing results.
ReplyDeleteThanks to y'all for the kind and warm sentiments. My only fear is that becoming a cyber-evangelist about this ABR stuff...maybe I missed my true calling (whatever that is)!
ReplyDeleteHi Richard, My son Cj (now 8) LOVES to move, he has dystonic movements, so ABR was very challenging for me at first. I used a small plastic feeding chair on the floor for the first three years (age 2-5). We went through three chairs, but it worked! As Cj got older I would just sit with him on the sofa and he would coorporate in many positions.
ReplyDeleteHe LOVES ABR, it relaxes him very much and it takes away alot of his spasticity. It's a very slow, gentle and direct pressure of repetitive movement used all over the body, from the top of the head to the pelvic area (at least when I was trained). You are taught this method using your hands and positioning your body in different angles for each exercise, and you eventually master it.
I found ABR quite relaxing at times, when he was relaxed. You need to learn to position yourself to be comfortable. It takes a bit of practice, but once you get it, it goes very smoothly. There were very few days where he would not tolerate ABR. I would stop when I got tired! Cj also loved the machine!
We are not doing ABR at the time because of his new diagnosis. But I may start again with some old exercises to help sooth and relax him!
Glad to have you back blogging again. I have missed your post. I am glad you had such a positive visit with Leonid. I can't wait for the details in the next post. We will be going for our third visit next month and we are equally excited to learn about the changes in Mattie.
ReplyDeleteHeather Webb
I also want to add that I have not learned "the ball" technique. Sounds like it's very effective and seems to me that it would be easier than the all the foam and rolls, which you still use. Correct?
ReplyDeleteLisa, absolutely...we have used ball rolling and it is easier and more effective. Last week, Leonid introduced two new concepts: intense ball rolling and super soft ball rolling. In a nutshell, intense involved a deep compression and super soft is a much more deflated ball...I swear that in a week, we have noticed differences in Adam's body. In the follow up blog I'll get some pictures and explanations up (hopefully tomorrow). Of the ten plus new exercises, only two are the rolls and foam.
ReplyDeleteTen plus??? Wow...the ball rolling speaks for itself! Remember the towels..lol! At least they did match my bathroom!
ReplyDeleteIndeed the Dzialo family are a model for hard work! Only on them can we add 10+ exercises and get a big "thank you" after! A job well done...past and present. Great progress comes from great consistent work. Congratulations! Looking forward to the next eval! =)
ReplyDelete