Treating Dysautonomia with Redcord

Specialized physical therapy techniques like Redcord, GYROTONIC®, and Hypopressives can help individuals with dysautonomia address specific aspects of their condition. Over the next 3 blogs, I will explain each movement system in detail. So let's get started with how the Redcord suspension system has been a game changer for me.

‍

Redcord is suspension based physical therapy that utilizes ropes, slings and bungee cords to support the weight of your body while targeting stabilizing muscle groups. By working in a "zero gravity" suspended environment, Redcord allows for precise neuromuscular strengthening and joint stabilization without interference of pain or compensation. It's sort of like how a mechanic lifts your car to balance the tires and alignment.

‍

Here's how people with dysautonomia can benefit:

‍

- Improved Postural Control: Redcord exercises focus on strengthening core muscles and improving balance, which can help individuals with dysautonomia maintain better postural stability and reduce the risk of orthostatic intolerance symptoms such as dizziness or fainting upon standing.

- Enhanced Core Stability: By targeting deep core muscles, Redcord exercises promote better spinal alignment and pelvic stability, contributing to overall improved posture and movement control.

- Gradual Exercise Progressions: Redcord offers a customizable approach to exercise, allowing for gradual progression and adaptation to individual needs and abilities, making it safe and suitable for individuals with dysautonomia who may have varying levels of function and mobility.

‍

One key exercise I'd like to highlight is called the Supine Pelvic Lift. It involves lying on your back with your feet in the Redcord slings and lifting your pelvis upward (with assistance from the bungee cords) to gently engage the core and gluteal muscles. The suspension system adds an element of instability, which enhances muscle activation and improves neuromuscular coordination.

‍

For people with dysautonomia, this exercise helps to strengthen the core muscles and improve circulation without the strain that traditional exercises might cause. Additionally, it can be performed at a controlled pace, allowing for gradual increases in intensity and helping to manage symptoms like dizziness or lightheadedness. By promoting muscle strength and stability, the supine pelvic lift on the Redcord suspension system contributes to overall functional improvement and better management of dysautonomia symptoms.

‍

If you'd like to experience all that Redcord can offer, please contact me at Activcore in Johns Creek, Georgia to schedule a consultation.

‍

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are based on the opinion of the author, unless otherwise noted, and should not be taken as personal medical advice. The information provided is intended to help readers make their own informed health and wellness decisions.

BLOGS BY SAME AUTHOR

Activcore Expands Into Johns Creek, Georgia!

We're excited to announce that Dr. Kelly Jones is extending her physical therapy services into Johns Creek, Georgia. This Activcore studio is situated inside the Medical Fitness and Wellness Group. It is located about 30 minutes north of our main Activcore location in Atlanta, Georgia.

5 Tips to Help Teenage Athletes Avoid ACL Injuries

I am passionate about helping people prevent and rehabilitate knee injuries. When I was 15 years old, I tore my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing competitive soccer. This injury and the subsequent months of physical therapy inspired me to become a physical therapist.

What Can A Physical Therapist Do For Me As A Soccer Player?

In my previous post, I gave 5 tips for helping teenage athletes avoid anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Now I’m going to discuss specifically what a physical therapist can do for you. As a physical therapist and former competitive soccer player, one of my passions is working with teenage athletes to develop training plans to prevent the type of injury that affected my soccer career.

Suspension Exercises for a Healthy Knee

For today's blog post, I’m going to share some videos that show how we work with our athletes at Activcore. In these videos, the physical therapist uses the Redcord suspension system to create a “zero-gravity” environment where the athlete can safely exercise with good form and without pain.

Get To Know Me: Dr. Kelly Jones

Yes this blog post is all about me. But really it's more about how I can help you. I chose to work at Activcore because I believe patients deserve one-on-one holistic care that is uniquely tailored to their individual needs. ‍I primarily work at Activcore in Johns Creek, Georgia. This is a boutique clinic located inside a popular personal training studio called the Medical Fitness and Wellness Group.

Dysautonomia: An Emotional Rollercoaster

Living with dysautonomia can be an emotional rollercoaster, as the condition's unpredictable nature constantly presents new challenges and obstacles to navigate. From the physical symptoms to the cognitive impairments and mood fluctuations, each day can bring a unique set of struggles. Coping with the uncertainty of how one will feel from moment to moment can lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration, and even depression.

How Physical Therapy Helped My Dysautonomia?

Although I am a physical therapist, I have also participated in PT to address my own dysautonomia and hypermobility. When I was first diagnosed in 2021, I was unable to perform simple tasks such as going from sit to stand, showering, or walk up stairs without dizziness and extreme fatigue. Not only did dysautonomia impact my physical health, but the brain fog and memory issues were also impacted.

Treating Dysautonomia with Redcord

Treating Dysautonomia with GYROTONIC®

In my last blog post, I explained how suspension based physical therapy has helped me and others with dysautonomia. Today I am excited to tell you about another hidden gem. This one is called GYROTONIC®.‍ Originally created in the 1980s for dancers, the Gyrotonic Expansion System is a holistic movement method that combines elements of yoga, tai chi, gymnastics and swimming.

Treating Dysautonomia with Hypopressives

In my last two blog posts, I explained how specialized physical therapy techniques like Redcord suspension exercise and GYROTONIC® have helped me and others with dysautonomia. Today I am highlighting another breakthrough movement system available at Activcore. This one is called Hypopressives. Hypopressive means low pressure. This technique introduces exercises that reduce the pressure in your core (i.e., the intra-abdominal pressure).