This Month's Distinguished Vendor
  
From library.rehabmart.com

From library.rehabmart.com

Ten Years of Improving Outcomes

September 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of TheraTogs™ - the unique wearable therapy systems for physical rehabilitation. With over 25,000 units sold world wide, TheraTogs have become a standard of care for many facilities for addressing neuromotor, sensory, and postural issues in children and adults. RehabMart began offering TheraTogs in 2010 and quickly became one of the top distributors in the US.

This month's featured product from RehabMart, TheraTogs work by implementing well-established somatosensory, biomechanical, and kinesiologic principles in the form of an undergarment system that can be initially and continually customized to address their changing needs. The various system configurations provide a uniquely versatile and flexible approach to addressing and managing issues of sensory deficit, movement disorder, and functioning postural and joint malalignments.

TheraTogs are made from a patented, proprietary material lined with a cozy foam that grips the skin and a Velcro®-sensitive outer surface that accepts the temporary attachment of various designs of elasticized strapping, the "external fascia and muscles" of the system. The material is comfortable, breathable, and washable. Most TheraTogs configurations are worn under normal clothing.

Invention by Necessity

TheraTogs were launched after five years of development by inventor Beverly "Billi" Cusick, PT, MS, COF.

"I'd spent 25 years looking for a way to provide carryover after a treatment session," says Cusick, a clinician with 40 years of experience who is also a recognized author and international lecturer on pediatric neuromotor development.

"Developments in the sciences of neuromotor re-education have highlighted the need for optimizing sensory input, for establishing strong core strength and alignment, and for engaging in "massed practice" of improved performance to gain improved function. I needed to find a way to deliver those essentials to clients for "live-it, learn-it" practice between therapy sessions.  
  

From library.rehabmart.com

"After trying earlier versions of compression garments and assorted adhesive tape, I realized what I was looking for was 'Velcro skin' to which I could attach muscle-assisting straps precisely where they were needed for each client."

Technical advances in fabric finishing processes made Cusick's vision possible.

"What TheraTogs allow me to do is to increase the "number of hands" I'd often wished for to improve performance during therapy sessions, and then to 'send my successful hands home' with the client," Cusick explains. "Ten years ago, all I could do was teach caretakers and then hope that they would continue the therapy at home. None of my clients experienced massed practice.

"With TheraTogs, I teach the caregiver to don the undergarments confidently, and then to apply a few straps that will deliver hours of wearable therapy every day at a minimal cost. Those daily hours of live-in therapy provide massed experience in using improved body awareness and alignment with gentle assistance from the strapping, and all in the context of ordinary daily activities."

Innovation is Critical

From library.rehabmart.com
TheraTogs CEO Lee Taylor pointed out that continuous innovation has been a key factor in the product's lasting success. "TheraTogs systems have continued to get simpler and easier to use over time," Taylor said. For example, the basic Posture & Torso Alignment (PTA) system, launched less than two years ago, is already one of
the company's most popular products.

"We started out offering a fully-loaded toolbox for providing complex neuromotor retraining," Taylor noted. "We learned over time that many clinicians and most caregivers needed a more fundamental starting point. Since we knew that nearly all rehab activities require a stable, centered body core, we created the PTA to support the effort to achieve just that."

The R&D team meets regularly to make TheraTogs easier to use and more effective, and the company constantly tests new designs and materials.

A key milestone for the R&D team was the 18-month development of TheraTogs' proprietary GoldTone™ material. GoldTone improved the quality of all of the company's products, replacing the previous stock blue fabric with a stronger, more durable, and machine-washable textile designed specifically to handle the stresses of full-body neuromotor retraining.

Development of the GoldTone material led to the launch of the second-generation TheraTogs ULTRA line of products two years ago. The full range of TheraTogs ULTRA products - most offered in infant, pediatric, and adult sizes - is now available from RehabMart.

TheraTogs and Rehabmart have teamed up to offer a 10% discount on all TheraTogs for both September AND October 2012.  The ending date for this special discount is October 15th.  Just simply enter the discount code "TTG10" at the discount code box on the check-out page.  Simple as one, two,...ten percent!
 
To view all the TheraTogs products we offer, please visit the TheraTogs Page .

All of Us from Rehabmart.com Wish Everybody a Super September