WHAT IS SENSORY INTEGRATION?

Sensory integration is the ability to synthesize, organize and process the sensory information received from our body and the environment.

Sensory integration theory is a neurological process that organizes the senses coming from our body and our environment to enable us to use our body effectively in our interaction with our environment. The brain uses this process in daily life activities.

Sensory integration, in other words, is to create meaningful and purposeful responses to our sensory experiences, it is the ability to synthesize, organize and process sensory information received from the body and the environment.

It is to provide sensory-motor development by developing the brain with meaningful sensory-motor activity in order to realize its learning. For sensory-motor development, the individual must be in contact with the environment. Meaningful sensory-motor activity is important in sensory integration therapy, as correct communication shapes brain development and provides the nervous system’s capacity to change (plasticity).

What are the Principles of Sensory Integration Therapy?

According to sensory integration theory, learning is a function of the brain and learning difficulties indicate deviations in nervous system functions. Individuals with learning difficulties have motor and sensory problems; they have difficulty in perceiving and integrating sense information. The inability to integrate sensory stimuli causes behavioral and learning problems. This condition is defined as “Sensory Integration Disorder”.

Sensory Integration Approach; unlike other approaches to learning disabilities, it does not employ specific skills. It aims to increase the brain’s understanding, perception and motor planning capacity.

Who Has Sensory Integration Disorder?

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Children with learning difficulties
• Autism (pervasive developmental disorders)
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental delay (fine motor impairment, gross motor impairment, visual motor disturbances, coordination disorders)
• Hearing language speech disorders
• Development delay due to premature birth
• Genetic disorders, chromosomal disorders

What Are Sensory Integration Symptoms in Occupational Therapy?

• Responding slowly
• Reduced attention span
• Inability to speak at the right tone and speed
• Constant tiredness
• Inability to concentrate in noisy environments, ear closure
• Concentrating on the wrong sound and missing the target
• Memory difficulties
• Not reacting to the sound, unable to find the direction of the sound
• Choosing food, sniffing food
• Not brushing teeth, cutting hair and nails
• Fear of falling
• Fingertip walking
• Clumsiness
• Constant desire to move

How is Sensory Integration Treated?

Pre-therapy sensory integration problems; Sensory processing problems and the effects of these problems on daily life activities are evaluated by considering the sensory systems.

In therapy, first of all, the child’s intrinsic motivation should be in balance, child should participate actively and should be able to tolerate stimuli. Active participation of the child always facilitates learning. The child easily adapts the information learned during communication and play to daily life activities.

Sensory stimuli are always planned according to the individual needs of the child using sensory strategies and the appropriate sensory diet is selected. Every child shows different sensory characteristics as they are different from each other. So it includes different intervention plans.

In order to continue the treatment effectively at home, the family is trained and the home, school and play environment is arranged according to the sensory characteristics of the child.

ERGOTHERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Ergo therapy improves the physical, cognitive, sensory, psychological, social skills and abilities of the person through meaningful and purposeful activities; It is a person-centered health profession that aims to increase the level of independence and participation in daily life activities and to improve health and well-being. In individuals with Down syndrome; problems such as slow learning, difficulty in problem solving and decision making, drooling, difficulty in speaking, delay in motor development, frequent falls and bumps, low muscle tone and delay in fine and gross motor development due to laxity in joints are experienced. Occupational therapists in the treatment of these problems uses sensory integration, vestibular stimulation, oral-motor therapy, cognitive therapy, daily living activities training and activity-oriented neurodevelopmental therapy methods.

What do occupational therapists do during the rehabilitation process of individuals with Down syndrome?

Individuals with Down syndrome who have sensory integration problems such as dropping objects on the ground, taking objects in their mouth, difficulty in adjusting body position, falling frequently, not combing hair, etc., are provided with a correct adaptive response with sensory integration therapy. With sensory integration of individuals with Down syndrome; awareness of their body and environment increases.

By providing sensory integration, visual perception skills, body awareness and visual motor coordination training, the foundations of cognitive rehabilitation are laid. Academic skills are also supported by improving cognitive skills such as attention, memory, problem solving, and orientation. It is easier for individuals with Down syndrome to learn with cognitive rehabilitation.

In early childhood, with activities including auditory-visual stimulation, neurodevelopmental intervention methods for laxity in the joint-ligaments and low muscle tone; it enables them to perform independent motor skills such as sitting, standing and walking. Individuals with Down syndrome with ergo therapy exhibits controlled motor behavior.

Developing strength and coordination in the arm, wrist and hand with activities meaningful for the person increases the level of independence in fine motor skills and daily living activities. The increase in the quality of life of individuals who develop fine skills such as holding a pencil and holding a spoon increases internal motivation.

Individuals with Down syndrome can be independent in daily living activities.

Children with Down syndrome have problems with nutrition, saliva control and speech due to weak tongue, lip and cheek muscles. Occupational therapists intervene with oral motor therapy, positioning methods, and nutritional techniques.

Vestibular stimulation techniques enable early motor behavior to be revealed. Equilibrium reactions, movement quality is increased, gravity insecurity is prevented. Individuals with Down syndrome can climb stairs and swing without fear.

Neurodevelopmental and behavioral methods are used for the development of social skills such as initiating, maintaining and ending verbal and non-verbal transmission, and communicating with meaningful purposes. Individuals with Down syndrome can understand you and express themselves.

WHAT IS PELVIC FLOOR REHABILITATION?

Pelvic floor muscles provide support to the bladder, intestines, uterus in women and prostate in men. Therefore, a malfunction in the pelvic floor muscles prevents these organs from functioning properly. At the same time, disorders in these organs cause dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a treatment method aimed at optimizing pelvic floor muscle function. The goal in rehabilitation is to ensure that the muscles work in a balanced and coordinated manner. It is a method applied by expert therapists in this field.

Pelvic floor muscles are affected during pregnancy, birth and menopause in women. Prostate problems in men cause pelvic floor disorders. In addition, abdominal-genital area surgeries, excess weight, and diseases that cause chronic cough can cause pelvic floor problems. During these periods, pelvic floor rehabilitation helps to eliminate problems in disorders that occur.

What are the Benefits of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation?

• Provides regulation of pelvic floor muscle functions.
• It increases the circulation of the pelvic floor area.
• It provides regulation of waist, hip and respiratory functions.
• It provides the regulation of urine and stool functions.
• It helps to eliminate sexual disorders.
• It improves the life quality.

What are the Application Areas of Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation?

• Frequent urination: Urinating more than 7 times a day is not normal and requires treatment.
• Incontinence: It means urinary or fecal incontinence. Coughing, laughing, sneezing, or incontinence while exercising are not normal.
• Difficulty passing urine / feces: Not feeling full relief during the discharge process means that the discharge process is not complete. In addition, it is not normal to feel pain during the discharge process and to discharge with a long effort.
• Bed wetting at night: Bedwetting at night is not normal in children after the age of 5.
• Constipation: Defecating less than 3 times a week is an indication of constipation. Feeling pain during defecation, inability to provide complete discharge, excessive straining are other signs of constipation.
• Chronic pelvic pain: It is the pain felt in the lower abdomen, waist, hip and genital area. This may be caused by musculoskeletal disorders in the area. Endomtriosis is a common condition in painful menstruation.
• Painful sexual intercourse / Vaginismus: Inability to have sexual intercourse or pain during sexual intercourse. Tense pelvic floor muscles can cause this condition.

What Are Treatment Methods In Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation?

• Patient training
• Pelvic Floor Exercises
• Manual Therapy
• Biofeedback applications
• Electrical stimulation

Who is Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Applied to?

Pelvic floor rehabilitation can be applied to all patients with pelvic floor problems. The methods used in women, men and children are different from each other. Treatment is applied by determining the appropriate methods for the age, gender and clinical condition of the person. In addition, neurological patients also benefit from treatment.

How is Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation Performed in ROMMER?

In our center, pelvic floor rehabilitation is applied to patients diagnosed by a specialist physician. The patient coming for treatment is evaluated in detail and an individual treatment program is created for the patient. The treatment is started by determining the appropriate methods for the needs of the patient. The treatment program is constantly revised in accordance with the progress of the patient.