Balance Wear Vest – My Story
Date 08/31/12
On another thread, I was asked to comment after being fitted for a Balance Wear Vest.
On Friday I visited Physiotherapy Associates in Bear, Delaware to get fitted for a Motion Therapeutics Balance Wear Vest. The purpose was to see if it could improve my balance enough to prevent me from staggering and falling. In about an hour I was evaluated and fitted with a demonstration a vest. I had one and half pounds of weight placed in strategic locations.
At the stand still test, the Physical Therapist with a gentle push caused me roll backwards and fall to my left side (with her catching me). This was done at various body locations see how I reacted. Now, with the vest on and weights located, with eyes opened and closed, I was able to recover from the pushes (not falling).
Next, I was able to walk in a straight line with a slight sway but no longer staggering. I walked about twenty steps close to normal, I do have foot drop, which hinders my walking normally. Because of that, I will still use the cane. I was no longer walking with my left leg having the tendency to cross over my right leg. After doing this a few times and not being able to cause the staggering effect, I decided to order the actual vest I would use.
Based on measurements I had made a few weeks earlier (video one http://www.youtube.com/user/motiontherapeutics), Motion Therapeutics had made arrangements to send the vest I would be using to Physiotherapy Associates, so that the demo and actual vest can be fitted the same day.
Next, I was fitted for my actual vest and asked to sit in a chair. I was able to get up with ease and walk twenty paces as close too normal (with foot drop and my cane) without staggering. At this point, I was asked to remove the vest five times and practice putting it on and walking twenty paces each time. I had the same slight sway, which was much less than without the vest and did not stagger. My pace also improved about 20 percent. The stand still test was repeated and I was able to recover from the pushes.
So lets state what it wont do: no it not going to cure MS, it’s not going to cure foot drop, it’s not going to make you walk better if your walking poorly and do not have balance issues.
It is important to note, not everyone who gets fitted for the vest may be helped, so I recommend you keep expectations at zero and see what happens.
If you’re interested in more information visit the web site, http://www.motiontherapeutics.com, they will make arrangements to get you fitted at the closest location.