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RMS Physical Therapy 

Installs the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill 

What is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill?

The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, in most aspects, looks and works like a regular treadmill.  It was developed with NASA technology to simulate the feeling of weightless walking or running.  The AlterG is created with an advanced air pressure regulation system creating a lifting fource, which allows you to reduce your weight by 20, 30, 50 percent, more or less depending on your need, without altering your natural body movement.    The AlterG enables individuals who have been weakened or impared by illness or injury to improve mobility and health, recover from injury & surgery more effectively and overcome medical challenges that limit movement. (www.alter-g.com)

How Does it Work?

The Anti-Gravity Treadmill creates a lifting force that allows for ultra-low impact.  Once fitted on the machine, the belt starts moving and you can adjust the speed & incline, as on a regular treadmill.  Patients can run & walk without bearing their entire weight, reducing the impact on the body.  Its Differential Air Pressure (DAP) technology applies a lifting force to the body, reducing weight on the lower extremities and allows precise unweighting up to 80% of a person’s body weight.  People can find where the pain stops and natural movement feels good allowing ease & comfort while walking or running, reducing impact on their joints. 

For Rehabilitation:

- Lower body injury & surgery rehabilitation

- Rehab after total joint replacement

- Neurologic retraining

- Gait training in neurologic patients

- Strengthening & conditioning in older patients

- Aerobic conditioning

- Weight control & reduction

- Sport specific conditioning programs

- Stress related injury 

- For Athletes

- For Trainers

- For Performance Enhancement   

To experience the AlterG difference for yourself, please contact us for more information and to schedule an appointment (847) 895-2910.

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As children head back to school in September, a disturbing new trend is emerging. Young children are suffering from back pain much sooner than generations before them. A major contributing factor seems to be a heavy backpack. Most parents (and children) are unaware of the potential injury that heavy backpacks can cause.

A recent news release by the American Physical Therapy Association in April 2009 revealed that more than 50 percent of children surveyed carry backpacks that are too heavy.

If a backpack is stuffed with heavy books and/or worn incorrectly, the bio-mechanical pressure on the spine increases dramatically. As a result, your child may lean forward to compensate. This can cause shoulder, neck, or back pain.

To help your child’s back, here’s what you can do:

1. Pack smart. Make sure that your child gets in the habit of cleaning out their bag daily, leaving things that aren’t needed at home or in the locker.
2. Distribute weight evenly. Teach your child to wear both straps, not just one. This helps to distribute the weight evenly.
3. Pay attention to your child’s posture. If your child is slouching or leaning over to one side, chances are that the backpack is too heavy. If there are any signs of pain, tingling, or numbness consult your doctor or physical therapist immediately.
4. Get the “right” backpack. Consider getting a backpack with multiple compartments to keep the weight more evenly distributed. Make sure there are 2 wide and well-padded straps that add comfort to the shoulder. If the bag has one strap, the weight distribution is uneven, causing the child to lean forward or to the side. Also, tighten the straps so the backpack is close to the body and rests in the middle of the back, not at the buttocks.
5. Lift the backpack properly. Teach your child how to lift the backpack correctly by bending at the knees and lifting with both hands before putting it on.
6. Reduce the load. Doctors and physical therapists strongly recommend children carry bags that are no more than 10-15% of their body weight. However, less is always better. This means that if your child weighs 100 lbs, the backpack should weigh no more than 15 lbs to avoid injury.

Contact us to learn more about the correct posture and movement patterns for children in your household.

Backpacks come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and they can be a lot of fun when picking out.

Compared to purses, totes, and laptop bags, backpacks are better as they use the strongest muscles of the body (the back and abdominals) to support the weight of the bag.

With both straps being used, the weight of the bag is evenly distributed across the body, unlike a heavy purse or bag on one side. 

Backpacks are very helpful, but they can also strain your child’s muscles and joints and may lead to back pain if they are too heavy.

If you are not sure if your child is wearing his/her backpack the “right” way, call us today and we’ll teach your child the right posture and exercises for a healthy back.

Your child does not have to suffer from shoulder, neck, or back pain due to carrying or lifting a heavy backpack.

If your child experiences any pain or discomfort resulting from backpack use, call us today.

We will conduct a thorough examination and help avoid discomfort or injury. We will also prescribe the best, most efficient exercises to help address any impairment and help your children (and you) to develop stronger muscles, improve posture, and return to normal, pain-free activities. Thank you for reading. We look forward to working with you.