Have you ever heard of the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill? This unique piece of equipment enables individuals to walk or run at a lower percentage of their body weight. This is useful in the clinical setting as it can help patients perform rehabilitation with less pain.
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be used with patients looking to gain mobility, strength, natural movement and fitness, while also minimizing stress on the body or on injury. This piece of equipment is particularly beneficial for injured athletes, as it can assist in gaining confidence, maintaining cardiovascular condition, retraining gait without compensations from pain or injury, as well as reduce the risk of re-injury.
How does it work?The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill uses unloading and progressive loading to achieve the aforementioned benefits. The treadmill uses air pressure to help unweight the participant. Specific shorts are worn, generally over the top of shorts or tight leggings. The patient then steps inside the chamber of the machine, similar to a large bubble, and is zipped inside. This allows the lower body to be enclosed and supported by the air pressure. Once the machine has calibrated to the individual, the body support percentage can be adjusted as desired. From there, the treadmill operates like a regular treadmill with speed adjustments for walking or running. From a clinical perspective, the sides and back of the bubble are clear to allow the therapist to observe mobility and gait mechanics for better treatment. Who Benefits from the Alter G Anti-Gravity Treadmill?
There has been research to support the use of body assisted support systems in rehabilitation for joint pain such as arthritis, or for returning to walk after surgery or conditions like stroke. This is because the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be used to restore normal walking and running mechanics while also supporting the healing tissue.3 What’s more, the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be used to assist in recovery from fractures, stress fractures, knee or hip surgery or replacement, as well as for weight loss. Overall, the use of this machine can help facilitate rehabilitation, improve recovery times and optimize rehab.
The Technology
AlterG’s technology was originally developed at NASA as part of an effort to help astronauts maintain fitness during prolonged space flight. AlterG combined this technology with an advanced pressure regulation system and a treadmill to produce the first anti-gravity treadmill. AlterG is the first company to use a pressurized enclosure to provide a counterforce to the person’s body weight, reducing their effective weight on the treadmill surface. The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill has been cleared by the FDA as a medical device applicable for uses in rehabilitation after lower extremity injury or surgery, aerobic conditioning, weight control, gait training for neurological conditions, and strengthening and conditioning for older patients. In addition, the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill has seen overwhelming adoption as a training and conditioning tool that also reduces the risk of impact-related injuries while exercising.
The Benefits
Health and Medical: The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is ideal for individuals recovering from lower extremity and spine injuries and surgeries and dealing with medical challenges that limit movement or impair mobility.
Injury Prevention: With the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill you’ll get the most out of your training or exercise programs while minimizing the risk of impact-related injuries and training without pain caused by chronic injury.
Training & Conditioning: Use the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill to augment training and conditioning routines, enhance performance, and allow individuals to continue working out during injury recovery.
The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill can be used as part of your physical therapy treatment and is covered by insurance when medically necessary. If you are not actively in physical therapy here at Physical Therapy Specialists of Idaho, you can choose to purchase time on the AlterG privately to use for your training purposes. Contact us today for more information 208-478-1488
Two videos referencing how patients have been using it with weight loss and Parkinson’s disease: