Methodical principles
of the 3D-therapy
within the physiotherapy
3-Dimensional
Medical
Exercise-Therapy
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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Methodical principles of the 3D-therapy within the physiotherapy
1. The task
Each human being has a livelong problem - it has to fight gravity . . .
The result of this fight is called posture if regarded under static aspects and motion or motorical capacity if
regarded under kinetic aspects or processes.
The problem, thus to be conquered by each human, is much more complex then imaginable at the first moment.
Not only that the human has to solve the simple problem to displace its centre of gravity of its body in way that
a perpendicular raised through the centre of gravity falls within the supporting area of the body (the physical
definition of equilibrium: If the raised perpendicular falls outside the supporting area, the body is no longer in
balance and falls ... ), in excess he / her has to do this with body segments possibly mobile to each other and
the necessity to control the position of these segments in space and control the position / angle of the connecting
joints as well.
The additional mechanical disadvantage is added, that, though the complete system is able to react, all active
and reactive set- and control forces, following the physical law of actio = reaction (Isaac Newton), can only be
engaged against a firm ground or other firm bodies. For the human body this is in regular the supporting area
( e. g. the foot or the feet when standing, sometimes a walking-stick too or if it gets worse all four of them …).
Each active intervention or control action to maintain the balance / equilibrium must therefore
begin at the supporting area – postural control by the sole of the foot is therefore a vitally important
process and is misjudged in priority in most cases.
All equilibric- and balance control actions must be guided and controlled actively and passively by a multitude
of structures of the human body.
An important aspect in this control is the timing of the coordination and in this, the impact by gravity sets out
an especially difficult problem, as there are needed reactions, whose “time-window of execution” is shorter than
the neuro-physiologically given time for perception, processing and reaction - a large part of the reaction
therefore has to be shouldered by intuition and on anticipatory processes to achieve a successful posture and
motion control.
11.2. The Problem
The possibilities of disturbance for the balance- and motion control are nearly infinite and well known to us
from our regular patients.
The capacity to control and adjust posture and motion against gravity is summarized in the terminus postural
stability, differentiated in static and dynamic postural stability.
The reasons for a deficient postural stability (static and dynamic) range from stroke up to problems with small
foot bones etc..
This article does not emphasize on the damage itself, it concentrates on a possible (therapeutical) intervention
and the rules and possibilities of these interventions to overcome the damage.
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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Usually therapy is structured in the following steps:
Anamnesis / Diagnosis
->
IS-State / Problem Definition
->
Need / Target
Therapy / Intervention
->
Offset from IS-State
->
Load / Impact
Result control
->
Compare IS-New with SHOULD
->
new State
Hereby
The patient delivers the deficit
The therapist delivers the diagnosis / therapy target
The therapy delivers the tool / the application
With the diagnosis of a deficient postural control, the implication of a imaginary target (SHOULD-value) is
already set, which will then be transferred by the therapist into a relevant therapy target.
The therapist then proceeds with an intervention, by impacting the patient with a specific or unspecific load,
normally a load for the deficient aspect, to create the desired reaction of adaptation of the patient, the new
IS-state which should be closer or hit the desired SHOULD-state.
This implies a clear imagination about the deficit and its aspects and the possibilities of influence to these
aspects. There must be not only a control of the mode of load, a control of load dosage (intensity) and load
time is necessary too.
Deficient postural control can be under structured, in respect to the desired function / motorical task.
Motorical tasks within the dynamic and static postural control are for example:
· hold body in a certain position / position of segments / set of segments -> static control
· Position control from distal / Position control from proximal / Position control from centre
· isolated / connected segment-reaction / -movements
· modulated movements of segments at request / voluntarily / involuntarily
· symmetrical / asymmetrical motion reaction
· cyclic / acyclic motion reaction
· guided / floating (target tunnel) motion
For the everyday function “standing and stepping” the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl now offers a therapy system
for the controlled load of deficits from the aforesaid aspects of dynamic and static postural control.
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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It states the use of a cardanic suspension of such a size, that a patient can stand upright in the inner ring on
a height adjustable stand support.
Typical function of such a suspension would normally be the steady hold or balance of a body in a moving
environment (oven or compass on ships etc.).
The FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl is a reversal setup to this function - here the environment is stable and the object
(patient / user) in the suspension can disbalance the system by controlled moving body segments and according
to the adjustment, do movements round every axis in space.
The system is a completely passive mechanical construction with no generator or brake.
This article means to show the methodical elements of this therapy system and their relevant value, setup
possibilities and methods of control.
The knowledge of these elements are basic ground for controlled therapeutical intervention and shows the
possibilities and limits.
The ability to control, dose and target of methodical elements are indispensable conditions for a therapeutic
tool.
In contrary to a sport tool, where the user has to obtain dosage and control under his own responsibility, or a
fun-tool, where the risk is voluntarily chosen or so diminished that usually no possible harm can be done
(e. g. rollercoaster …) this responsibility is clearly with the therapist when using a therapy system and must
be at the hand of the therapist.
The following elements of the 3-dimensional medical exercise therapy and thus the work with the
FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl must be judged :
· Stability
· Inertia
· Freedom of movement
· Positions
· Motion speed
· Change of direction
· positive / negative acceleration
· external assistance
3. Example of Standard Therapy Routine
1. The patient takes a stand on the stand support in the inner ring, while the system is vertically
secured, and gets fixated at the feet over the back of the foot.
The stand support has been height adjusted in respect to his / her body size and distribution
of mass (see 4. “Stability”).
The patient is then asked to maintain a posture as upright as possible and maintain the
centred position or counter all movements after the following release of the rings or a single
ring (see 6. “Freedom of motion”), whilst the pelvis ring is closed and the pelvis cushions
are still opened though.
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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2. From the controlled centre the range of motion and the controlled end-positions are steadily increased by
the patient moving mass and reacting to the subsequent reactions of the system, where in the beginning
slow motions with small range and properly controlled end positions are chosen (high static component).
3. With increasing control of the system, the patient is asked, according to therapy target, to modulate speed,
range or way of the motion.
4. At a desired displacement of more then 40° in the frontal plane (left / right) and / or approx. 20° in the sagittal
plane (back / front) the frontal and dorsal pelvis cushions have to be applied in every case, for the lever of
lower leg and foot is not generating enough torque to keep the upper body stable or maintain a centred
position.
After applying these cushions every position or way of motion in space is possible.
The general principles of exercise theory and neuro-physiologically orientated therapy principles apply for the
complete treatment in regard for safe positions, external assistance and external stimulus.
Especially valid for the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl is the rule, that there is never an external acceleration by the
therapist, only deceleration or stabilization are sometimes suitable.
The patient must be guided in a way, that he can control the desired exercise completely by itself and is able
to lead the system back to a stable middle position at all times and remain it there.
Target of the motion is usually, at a sustained upright posture, to achieve a modulated, unblocked balance
reaction through all joints of the body and a motion generated, with the concentration of a initial force introduction
via the soles of the feet.
-> in principle / comparison like on a snow-board or surf-board
Usage of the upper extremity is only accepted as mass displacement, not as controlling element (e. g. by using
the grips) because this would be analogue to the function of four point stand and alter the postural function
wrongly.
The pelvis fixation of the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl is the relevant methodical aid for this.
By means of this fixation it is possible to work with a free lever of the upper body for the complete range of
motion.
The grips of the system are only meant to be there for emergencies or as a safety aspect for insecure or scared
patient - they are without meaning for the motion control and motion generation
-> the patient always focuses on the aspect “move and control the plate underneath
your feet and concentrate of what’s happening underneath the soles of your feet !”
4. Stability
The construction of the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl has a fixed virtual pivot point in the centre of the rings, therefore
the position of the total centre of gravity (system and patient) in relation to this pivot point is responsible for
the stability of the system or its equilibric state.
The centre of gravity of the patient can be set and thus altered by the height adjustment of the stand support,
this will alter the total centre of gravity of the system+patient.
If the total centre of gravity is below the pivot point a stable equilibric state is established - meaning : the system
wants to return to the middle position by itself every time when displaced.
It as well limits the possible angle of displacement, as the patient can only use his body mass in static manoeuvres.
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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It is possible to reach beyond this limit of stability by taking up a swing, but it is impossible to remain in a static
position outside the set stability.
This “centre of gravity-adjustment” offers an ideal advantage to dose the load in respect for the necessary
coordination for balance-control and and power employment for the desired motion.
In the range of the given limits for using the 3D-system (body-size 145 - 195 cm max. / weight max. 130 kg)
the system can be set from extremely stable (only minimal static displacement possible - limitable for <5° to
the perpendicular line in all directions), infinitely variable over an indifferent equilibric state (each position is
space can be acquired and held) up to instable equilibrium (the system wants to tip over the patient head over).
In therapeutical sense only stable up to max. indifferent equilibrium state are sensible.
The methodical element “stability” is in the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl, like the elements “inertia” and “freedom
of motion” (see following chapters) as well usable as a “discharge” and as a charge to the patient.
In a coordination exercise higher stability offers a virtual help, an easing of the task.
The postural control for the patient is made easier, for the motion is slowed down, simpler and diminished in
the need of reactions.
It will also become clear to him, that he can not fall in this system - he can only move within the given limits
of stability.
If he reaches beyond that stability by taking up a swing (dynamic action), the system will return by itself into
its range of stability after stopping with the dynamic action.
In worst case the patient “hangs” around at the rim of its given stability, and with all time at his hands, he can
work out how to return back to the middle position and try to do so.
This means, within the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl your patient is completely safe.
Once he is in the system, he can no longer fall, his joints just simply need the ability to carry the weight of his
own body (static stability), he must not be able to stand freely without help (dynamic stability).
In contrary to everyday life you can now adjust a maximum tilt level - in everyday life your patient always falls
to the maximum supporting area - and has to get up again afterwards…
The therapist can show the patient this limit of stability by asking him to lean against one of the pelvis cushions
(with remained upright / straight posture).
The FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl will displace and stop the motion by itself at the given limit of stability.
If the patient now lifts his hands the displacement will increase for a few degrees more (Hands up - centre of
gravity up and vice versa).
Especially with patients scared of falling or patients whose problems in everyday life turn round the possible
falling over (vertigo, vestibular diseases, deficient postural control such as stroke or multiple sclerosis) this
provides a tremendous experience and methodical intervention to their problem - a patient can exist outside
the perpendicular line in space and is not in trouble and does not need to react immediately (typical for vertigo
patients -> panic reaction !).
This is a unique experience which can not be achieved with any other system in this way.
Vice versa the system now requires a higher employment of force for the active moving of the system as in
everyday life - movements must be generated and controlled with more zeal and force
-> this gives a charge for the aspect “force and endurance” in a training session.
The higher the stability is chosen (low setting of the stand support), the higher the request for force and force-
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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endurance in the initiation of movements, the continuous movement and movements beyond the limit of stability.
The height adjustable stand support has a scale with cm/inch reading, which is on purpose not set to read the
body-size of a patient, because not only the body size, the individual mass distribution is relevant for the setup.
The scale serves for documentation and is recruited to dose (increase / decrease) the exercise of the individual
patient on demand.
At an unknown value with a beginner, usually the setup will tend to be rather stable (low Position) and the stand
support is readjusted during the session if necessary. As control you can fulfil the previously stated exercise
with static displacement and visualisation of the maximal displacement angle.
With the measurement system “3Dsoft for The Spacecurl”, containing an emitter, a transmitter and the
software, you can read out and quantify the capacity of the patient to control his balance or the control about
the system.
screenshot “offline”
screenshot “online”
With this you can as well demonstrate the patient its possible improvement of the “abstract” component
“coordination”.
5. Inertia
The system has a mobile mass from approx, 300kg + patient, and even with best, frictionless bearing inertia
must be overcome by emphatically employing force to accelerate / decelerate,
For the disproportion between potential force of the patient (mostly applying of body mass, only small impulses
possible via the fixations) and the potentially accelerated mass of the system there is always a time delay and
diminishing of the possible reactive acceleration of the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl in relation to the intended
movement.
This means: the 3D-system can not react fast, it does not quiver and there are no jitterings.
Each motion, each reaction has such a time expansion, that it can be conceived consciously and controlled.
· This is chance and charge for the patient.
On one side the system clears by itself all nervous actions and unclear motion initiations by the patient
and dampens practically the acceleration of reactive movements, and on the other side the inertia
forces the user to employ more power and dedicated initiation for wanted movements.
As in a coordinative exercise a patient must be worked with the so called proprioceptive input, as
the coordinative system of a patient can only process information acquired within itself (afferent / efferent
pathways) this inertia is an enormous influence to the coordinative system.
The inertia slows down movements, takes away disturbing side-effects (jitter) and amplifies all reactions
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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(equally on the experiencing and on the initiating sde).
She can be used like a text-marker (increase contrast / underlining) within a proprioceptive exercise.
The inertia is also responsible for the opportunity to work with very delicate or sensitive patients.
Especially with vertigo patients you have the possibility for a “desensibilization”.
As within the work with the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl the patient learns to operate and control the system
completely by himself the following rule apply:
Its not the 3D-System moving the patient, it’s the patient moving the 3D-system.
Due to this - against all usually made suggestion - patients within the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl never get sick!
6. Freedom of motion
The 3 rings of the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl can be locked separately, the outer ring can additionally locked in
horizontal position too.
This has, in respect to the position of the bearings, influence on the possible freedoms of motion.
If only the inner ring is released, only movements on the sagittal plane (back / front) are possible.
The release of the two inner rings would make a movement possible in the sagittal and the transversal plane
(rotation round the body’s longitudinal axis) - due to mechanical aspects this motion is only initiable with great
difficulties and of now therapeutical relevance, therefore this setup is normally never chosen.
Normally the outer ring is fixated horizontally and the two inner rings are set free - this enables movements
on sagittal and frontal plane (left / right).
A beginner is often recommended to work only with the inner ring to get used to the system.
This means he must learn how to control a movement in the sagittal plane (back / fro) by changing the load
between his toes and the heel.
This is, mechanically and neuro-physiologically, more difficult then controlling the same movement on the frontal
plane (left / right).
In respect of the principles of exercise theory it is to recommend that the step of only releasing the inner ring
should be a brief one or left out completely and stepped as quick as possible to the setup outer ring horizontally
fixated, two inner rings released.
The setup “only inner ring released” should only be used for a quick demonstration (max.1 minute) of the
system function of the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl.
At a later time (after getting used to the system) a return to this setup, if therapeutically relevant, is possible.
The advantage to chose this setup is that the both planes can be controlled and guided by the patient and if
necessary also the therapist.
If the patient initiates a movement in sagittal displacement, he can as well initiate a movement round the
longitudinal axis (transversal plane) of his body, which needs a lot of force but is easily to be controlled.
It is clear, that a release of all rings enables every desired motion.
This is, with a higher employment of force, though already possible with only two rings released.
This provides a possible dosage of the exercise or an increased load within an exercise session, as the
horizontal fixation of the outer ring can be employed at any time.
An exercise with the focus on coordination can thus be altered into an exercise of force / force-endurance
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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without the necessity to change the position of the stand support.
The methodical question “to hold a certain position”, meaning to deliberately stop the movement of the
FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl at a certain position in space and stay in this position can only be achieved by the
user with an appropriate stance phase.
As this request can only be matched in this way it is an ideal opportunity to exercise deficient stance patterns
with patients.
Especially the change from shifting weight to taking up a stance is easy to exercise, because of the time delay
given by the inertia of the system - the patient has enough time to realize to wanted answer to the task.
On the other hand you have an ideal control if the task was matched rightly - without actually explaining the
exercise to the patient at all - you can immediately see if the patient takes up a stance or not.
This is especially helpful when dealing with neurological patients or youngsters, as oral explanations usually
are not fruitfully transferred.
It is as well a very good method for facilitation, meaning the therapeutically forced initiation of muscular tonus
pattern.
Interesting herein is, that the patient does not need to be touched directly, the influence of the therapist is
transferred by moving the rings into a certain position and asking the patient to maintain in this position.
Facilitation is therefore achieved via the soles of the feet - the main supporting area !
This approach is not possible in “normal” therapy and is an unique opportunity of the system.
The impact given by holding a certain defined position onto the postural control targets in priority on static load
and an optimal interaction of the body segments.
7. Motion Speed
The choice or definition of the motion speed has a vital influence on the possible control of the movements,
the range of motion and the variation between dynamic and static force employment.
As a rule you can state, that the static impact increases, the slower you do the movements.
Vice versa the dynamic loads increase with higher motion speeds.
In priority you have charges on the isometric and excentric force employment, which, according to the speed,
reach enormous levels.
With increasing speed, control of motion direction will get more an d more difficult by the momentum of inertia,
which needs a long term training to come to grips with.
Changes of direction then occur, which produce in the regions of free levers (e. g. head !) sometimes an
acceleration of up to 6G (estimated).
5kg mass of your head then all of a sudden bring a 25 to 30 kg wear on your neck muscles to maintain the
position of the head - usually either generating a very sore neck (sore muscles) or overcome with perfect
adaptation (anticipation, posture and outbalancing).
Each patient has and should find his own, controllable level of speed - the floating motion initiates, beside the
effect of creating an enormous fun, a lot of mechanism for control of posture and motion based on intuition
- the patient thereby optimises his reactions by himself.
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9. Change of direction (motion)
In general the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl tends, due to its mechanic setup, rather to do a swinging motion round
the middle position (it sways).
The occurring changes of direction of this swaying can be experienced by the patient passively.
In the next step he is asked to change actively, dynamically by trying to stop the motion in the zenith of the
movement (point where it changes direction) and then actively change into the new direction.
In doing this a very dynamic stance phase in the connecting area between pelvis and upper body can be
observed.
The transition is so active, that in consequence to this exercise a significant relaxation in this region occurs,
which is especially helpful for patients with “blockades” (e. g. covered atactic syndrome) in this segment with
sometimes spectacular results.
It is very often to observe that this functionality is used by patients with pain in the lumbar region (often out of
pure intuition) and achieving a fast relieve of the symptoms.
The task to alter the “swaying” motion into a continuous, permanently ongoing motion establishes the next
step.
This demands, due to the inertia momentum of the 3D-system, a finely coordinated reaction to the system, to
feel the timing and new direction coming to change the direction and/or accelerate with the smallest effort
necessary.
The necessary body strategy to achieve this (use of more then one segment, connection of segments, place
of initiative) is an important element in learning efficient everyday life strategies for the “fight” with gravity.
10. positiv / negative acceleration
An important aspect in achieving demanded accelerations (positive / negative) is the timing and the segmental
order of force introduction.
This is an indispensable aspect for everyday living.
It is interesting that the observed attitude of acceleration can be sorted in categories and that the specific
individual shows the same attitude in everyday life.
You can observe impulsive, aggressive, active acceleration or careful, dragged acceleration.
As well different are the direct reactions after an acceleration - from scared with immediate counter movement
(blocking) over dragging on the movement up to let loose and “fly” into the movement ...
11. External Assitance
There are different possibilities for external assistance (by the therapist) following same basic rules:
Target must be to offer as little assistance to the patient as necessary.
Each external help is at last only a “crutch” and must be taken away from the patient as soon as
possible, or the patient will get accustomed to the aid and will in consequence get worse.
Any assistance therefore (with only a few exceptions) is only a temporary aid.
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There are sensible and insensible assistances:
An increase of the range of motion or the motion speed by assistance of the therapist (e. g. pushing …) is
contra-productive, as the patient quite obviously has not yet achieved the necessary control for this speed, or
he would have been able to achieve the increase by himself.
Influence by the therapist is only engaged for braking or dampening unwanted movements, whereas the
therapist guides the rings in assistance. The therapist can do this from a position outside the rings or, if the
outer ring is horizontally fixated from a position inside the rings directly in front of the patient.
This offers the patient additionally an optical imagination of security.
An exception from this rule is the already stated facilitation, an actively guided assistance and / or exercise
scenarios, in which the ability to control and maintain positions within the control capacity of the patient
against external resistance.
Fixation of the feet is a necessary assistance, though only needed when the range of motion is more then 45°
to the perpendicular line.
Then a fixation is needed to avoid sliding off the stand support.
Still the fixation is needed for the personal feeling of security of the patient.
It takes some exercises that a patient can accept a more open foot fixation at small motion ranges.
From more then approx. 40 - 45° lateral tilt and approx. 20° back- and forward tilt the foot fixation is no longer
sufficient.
The pelvis can no longer be kept actively in the middle of the open pelvis ring and the pelvis cushions have
to be closed.
This means the frontal and dorsal cushion, the pelvis ring has to be closed every time if one of the rings is
released.
It is recommended to close the cushion only when needed, as a patient will use every offered help.
This would then prevent the patient from concentrating on the introduction how to control the position of the
stand support with the feet.
He would use his upper body against the pelvis fixation in a very high scale as a control element.
The same applies for the hands, therefore that patient should not hold himself at any time with his hands.
12. Compensated / Uncompensated Displacement of Equilibrium
In the first step the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl shows the patient and the therapist every deficit of the postural
control, every asymmetry, every asymmetrical reaction.
The system itself work like a spirit level.
These balance offsets can now be worked differently:
· The patient can try to compensate the offsets bei himself.
· Additional weights can help with the compensation.
· The offset can be increased by additional weights to show
the patient his offsets more clearly / give proprioceptive
inputs.
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· At muscular dysbalances a deliberate offset of the pelvis cushions for example can create a desired
extra load for a specific muscular chain.
If you press the to far towards the back, the ventral muscle chain has to work more, if you push the
patient to much to the front, the dorsal chain is forced to work more to achieve an upright stand.
The same can be done with weight cuffs to the lateral side.
13. Summary
In contrary to often stated assumption at the first visual contact with the system, that this is a system for
astronaut training or a simulation of zero-gravity, the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl is an extreme encounter with
gravity.
Interestingly enough - it would not even work under zero-gravity, as under zero-gravity there is no such thing
as balance / equilibrium or a need to employ your anti-gravity muscles (postural muscles like e. g. the autochtonal
back muscles) -> which is why these muscles show a severe atrophy under zero-gravity and a system like the
FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl will then be used to rehabilitate these muscles.
The 3D-System is as a charge for balance and balance control and therefore for dynamic and static postural
control an ideal and unique therapy system.
It is adjustable in dosage, can be controlled an consists of a clearly structured methodical setup and structures
which make a targeted therapeutical working possible.
Most important tool hereby is the introduction of clear and definite proprioceptive information, which can not
be given in this form by any other system.
With the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl work is rather done by the definition of tasks, the desired result must normally
not be explained.
The patient has ample time to work out functional strategies for the given task, due to the optimal proprioceptive
feedback and the control capacity of the system, by himself and apply this in the following exercises and
optimizes the strategy by himself.
The task itself is structured into a basic task and a specific, set atop the basic task, modulation in the form of
a motorical strategy.
The basic part is always the try to maintain a posture as upright as possible with the smallest static effort
possible (neurological -> alignment of the whole body).
This means that no joint should be locked (muscular or stiffened) and the beginning of the alignment are always
the soles of the feet, whereas these are no flat supporting areas, instead they act as an active controlling
element (“short foot” after Janda) in the necessary control of the segment positioning.
Rules for the modulated strategy are:
Start or initiative for the active process is always the soles of the feet, meaning the patient is asked
to move and control always the plate underneath his feet.
In the following the segments following the feet are then recruited for the solution of the given task.
This is very unaccustomed system for most people to solve their balance problems.
More often you can observe strategies in everyday life where somebody tries to control balance with stiff knees
or with the help of the upper body.
The principle thus forwarded by the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl to the patient is similar to the approach of TaiChi,
© 2005 | PHYSIO BÖRSE; D-54516 Wittlich | www.3DTherapie.de
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it doesn’t have to be explained philosophically though, instead of that it occurs directly out of the work with the
system.
Most impressing control system here fore is the command to the patient to bring the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl
as quick as possible and with the smallest effort to a standstill.
While trying to do this by actively countering the motion with the upper body a lot of force is employed and
even for a person well accustomed with the system the try is usually futile.
If the patient is thus told to only concentrate just to stand back on his feet without taking care for counter
movements of the upper body or other balancing moves, the system comes to a halt with nearly immediately
with the smallest effort.
This exercise can be repeatedly engaged during a session, because it can tell if the patient is within his
controlled zone.
The question - “Can I stop the system from the poutside ?” or “What do I have to do, if my patient can not stop
the system ?” will never occur again then.
If it still comes up, it can be easily solved (the system can always be stopped from outside), it shows though,
that the patient is doing something that the therapist should have never allowed him in the first place.
As a very important aspect of the exercises with the FPZ 3D: The Spacecurl is the tremendous motivation
generated by the system it is sometimes necessary (especially under peer group forces - do it faster, do a
summersault etc. ...) to cool down the patient.
The fun remains though - and this while doing a postural exercise . . .
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