Standing Frame Article -- I Recommend This Highly

A Standing Frame Prescribed for Home Can Improve Long-Term Health


by Jackie Kaufenberg


Many spinal cord injury rehab professionals are aware of the secondary
complications associated with prolonged immobility of people with a spinal
cord injury (SCI). Rehab facilities that incorporate standing/weight
bearing as a part of their SCI client’s standing program see the effects of
secondary complications minimized. To achieve the greatest possible medical
benefits, a person with SCI should start standing as soon as their PT or
doctor determines it is medically safe.


Medical professionals have prescribed standing programs for these health
benefits:
1. Increase range of motion and help prevent ankle, knees, and hip
contractures
2. Improve circulation as it relates to orthostatic hypotension
3. Decrease abnormal muscle tone and reduce spasticity
4. Maintain bone density and prevent or stabilize osteoporosis and
resultant hypercalciuria
5. Improve renal function, drainage of the urinary tract, and reduce
urinary calculi
6. Reduce the risk of pressure ulcers and skin breakdown through
changing positions
7. Improve bowel function by increasing gastrointestinal
activity/motility using gravity as an assist, thus reducing the risk
of constipation
8. Facilitate respiration by reducing respiratory infections and
increasing oxygen intake by allowing lungs to completely expand
9. Build cardiovascular endurance and reduce swelling and pooling of the
blood in the lower extremities
10. Provide a positive psychological impact and improve self-esteem


It is very common for rehab clinicians to incorporate standing as an
intricate part of their client’s initial rehab program. However, a full
standing program shouldn’t just be limited to a client’s initial spinal
injury rehab sessions. In order to experience the long-term medical
benefits of standing, a standing frame should also be prescribed for home
use upon discharge. By prescribing a standing frame for home use, the
person with SCI will be able to stand on a daily basis (or as often as
prescribed). For instance, they could stand while checking their email,
before dinner each day, or in the evening while watching a movie with their
family.


Funding for Standing Frames


When a therapist prescribes a stander soon after injury (with their
client’s initial equipment purchase, e.g. wheelchair, commode), their
client may also have a better chance of obtaining funding for the standing
frame through their medical insurance. Often, insurance companies are more
likely to cover the stander or home medical equipment when it is included
with the initial order for a wheelchair and other necessary rehab
equipment. If you need assistance with the funding process for a standing
device, there are resources on www.easystand.com/funding that can help.


Want to dig deeper into the medical benefits of standing?


Over 100 research study abstracts related to the benefits of standing can
be found on www.easystand.com/research. You can search by author, title,
diagnosis (e.g. all studies that pertain to SCI), and the benefit that the
research cites. You can also view a free one hour webinar with Ginny Paleg,
DScPT, MS, PT, called Supported Standing: Integrating Evidence into
Practice on www.easystand.com/ginny


Did your therapist prescribe a stander for you to use at home? Do you think
that standing has improved your health or quality of life?




Jackie Kaufenberg
Marketing Manager
jackie@easystand.com
...................................................................

Altimate Medical Inc. – Makers of EasyStand Standers
PO Box 180
Morton, MN 56270 USA

T 800-342-8968
P 507-697-6393
F 507-697-6900
...................................................................

www.easystand.com

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