Exercises and postural education for children with achondroplasia - OSCAR 2016
In 2014, several Reference Centers in France dedicated to diseases involving the same organs, created OSCAR, the French network of rare diseases of bone, calcium, and cartilage.
Citing Dr. Geneviève Baujat (Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris) "The aims are to expose various resources (people, hospitals, e-structures) and to make people working all together with "axes": to develop concrete tools... such as the "Follow-up schedule" or video tutorials (on YouTube) for achondroplasia and some others rare conditions".
Although all information is in French only, it is very valorous and must be shared worldwide.
Video tutorial
Child placement for the four exercises:
- Use a semi hard surface
- Do the exercises between meals
- The child wears little and comfortable clothes
- Distract the child during the exercises as like a playing moment
- Do soft massage during the exercise
Exercise 1: the child is placed stomach down
This exercise is to strengthen and reinforce the hip extensor muscles
| Image credits: AQSpeed |
While keeping the hips steady, work on the upper section of the lower limb, producing a slight traction. And change limbs after. Repeat 10 times.
Exercise 3: Lying on the back
Produce gentle stimulation for the child to respond with active abdominal contractions. Repeat 10 times.
To remember:
- Do these exercises during 2 to 3 minutes every day.
- Encourage the child to do the exercises himself/herself
- Avoid extended sitting positions
- Keep doing the exercises throughout the child's growth
"These postural exercises are very important for children with achondroplasia and must be done in a very precise way. Also, the exercises should be done during all the child early development and more, this exercise time can be a very privileged moment between parent and child, done in a pleasant and playful way".
All credits: OSCAR.
