This is certainly not an inclusive list. Custom molded seating is important for many reasons including the following:
Prevention of skin breakdown, by more equally distributing weight. It distributes the weight of the individual, especially if they have something like an obliquity or a rotation.
It improves the individual's posture, so they can participate better in things like ADLs, education, work activities.
It can improve respiratory function because it makes them sit up straighter.
Or it can improve head and neck alignment by better supporting their lower body.
Improve GI function by getting their body, again, more upright.
Pain control, if you are constantly hanging over to the side or slouched over, that's an uncomfortable position, which if you're doing it all day long, makes you uncomfortable and can make you be in pain.
Improved head alignment, improved eye gaze, which thereby can make you use your speech devices better. This improves communication.
Attempts to minimize the progression of deformity. This is especially important in younger children or teenage years where we're trying to slow or minimize the progression of a spinal curve, for example.
Help control abnormal muscle tone.
I'm sure there are twenty more things that we could think of. These are just some of the reasons that I have used in letters to justify why custom molded seating is important for clients.
For more information about custom molded seating please check out this course.
Lindsey Veety, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Lindsey is a Physical Therapist with 20 years of experience, who specializes in working with individuals with complex conditions and assistive technology. She is a RESNA-certified ATP/SMS and has completed her (Neuro-Developmental Treatment )NDT training. Lindsey specializes in the areas of seating and positioning, custom-molded seating, and adaptations/access to the environment. She enjoys presenting at conferences, doing webinars, and publishing in these areas as well.
Related Courses
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