SUSPENSION THERAPY

Physiotherapy Skills I
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Definition
History
Principal
Parts
Fixed Point Suspension Frame
Supporting Ropes
Single Rope
Double Rope
Pulley Rope
Sling
Single
Double
Three Ring
Head
Wooden Cleat
Dog Clip, S Hook
Storage

Types
Axial Suspension
Vertical Suspension
Pendular Suspension
Uses
Advantages
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DEFINITION :
Treatment or therapeutic exercise given to
patients to increase ROM, increase muscle
power & support body parts by using ropes
& slings

Suspension frees the body from friction of
the material upon which the body
components may be resting & it permits
free movement without resistance

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Late Mrs. Guthrie Smith has invented the
Suspension apparatus

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PRINCIPLES
Friction
it occur during a particular surface move on another
In suspension Friction is less, therefore causes smooth & easy
movement

Pendulum
Is heavy material suspended by the weightless thread
When the force is applied on the pendulum it results in to and fro
movement
In human body, Pendular motion occurs mainly in shoulder & hip
joints, forward leg movements &arm swings while walking
In suspension Pendular motion is used to maintain muscle property,
increase ROM & strengthening the muscles

Eliminating gravity Movement
The patient should at least have muscle power 2 for suspension therapy
exercises

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Fixed Point Suspension Frame

It is made of stainless steel or plastic coated steal.

In the top and head end side presents the 5cm metal mesh, and
remaining side kept open
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SUPPORTING ROPES
Single Rope
Double Rope
Pulley Rope

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SINGLE ROPE

Has a ring fixed at one end by
which it is hung up

The other end of the rope then
passes through one end of the
wooden cleat through the ring
of a dog clip & through the
other end of the cleat & then
knotted

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PULLEY ROPE

This has a dog clip attached at one
end of the rope which then passes
over the wheel of a pulley
The rope then passes through the
cleat & a 2
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dog clip

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DOUBLE ROPE
Consists of two pulleys at upper &
lower attachments
So here there is a mechanical
advantage of 2

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SLINGS
Single
Double
Three Ring
Head

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SINGLE SLING

Made of Canvas bound with
soft webbing and with a D
ring at each end

Size 68cm length & 17cm
width


Used for elbow and knee


Some time folded in figure of
8 manner to support wrist
and ankle


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DOUBLE SLING

Broad slings with D-rings at
each end

used to support pelvis, Thorax
or thigh together, specially
when the knees are kept
straight

Size 68cm long and 29 cm wide
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THREE RING SLING

75 cm length 3-4 cm width.consist
of 3 D rings.
2 at the both the end of the sling
and one in middle kept moving.
Used for wrist and ankle region.
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HEAD SLING
This is a short, split
sling with its two
halves stitched
together at an angle to
create a central slit
This allows the head
to rest supported at
the back under the
lower & upper part of
the skull
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Wooden Cleat

Its made of wood
and is used for
altering the of the
rope.

It has two or three
holes for the rope
passage. The rope
itself hold the
cleat by friction
resistance

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DOG CLIP/S HOOK
Used to attach the supporting rope with mesh
To attach the sling with supporting rope
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STORAGE
Storage of slings & ropes on wall frame is
done with S shaped hooks

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TYPES

Axial Suspension
Vertical Suspension
Pendular Suspension

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Axial Suspension

Joint Axis as taken as point of suspension
Movement takes place in a gravity eliminated
plane
Limb is supported by the slings above the joint

If movement is initiated, limb will move to both
sides parallel to the floor
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USES
Relaxsation
Maintain Muscle property
Increase blood circulation
Increase venous & lymphatic drainage
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Vertical Suspension

COG of the body part or the body is taken as
point of suspension
used to provide support to the body parts of the
patients
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USES
Relaxsation
Prevent pressure sore
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PENDULAR SUSPENTION

Point of suspension should be shifted away
from the joint axis

Movement usually takes place against gravity


Muscles will be getting resistance while
moving if the axis is shifted opposite to that
movement


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USES

Increase the muscle Strength
Increase the muscle endurance
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ADVANTAGES
It reduces the burden of the therapist

Easy to lift the limbs

Active movement can be performed easily with
minimum friction

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