Scissoring? Try This Simple Trick for Inner Thigh Tightness 👧🏽⚡ | Cerebral Palsy PT #54

Whole Body Vibration for Adductor Stretch 👧🏽⚡ | Reduce Scissoring | Pediatric Physical Therapy Oh my goodness — Alexis is back again, and today we’re sharing another way her family uses whole body vibration at home. 💕 Please meet my wonderful co-instructor, Alexis Sanderson (age 12). Alexis has GMFCS level 3 cerebral palsy. She communicates non-verbally using a communication device and has an excellent understanding of everything said to her. ✨ Functionally, Alexis: • Walks well with trunk support • Walks fairly well with two hands held • Walks short distances with one hand held • Walks in a walker (with help to steer) • Uses a wheelchair for longer distances • Is learning to drive a power wheelchair Her determination, focus, and spark shine through in every session. 💕 ⚠️ The Movement Challenge Children with cerebral palsy 👧🏽👧🏻👧🏿 often have tight inner thigh muscles (adductors). For Alexis, this contributes to a scissoring pattern when she walks, where her legs tend to cross and rub together. That makes it harder for one foot to step forward cleanly past the other. ⚡ What Her Family Does At home, her family 🧑🏽‍🦱👩🏻👨🏿 uses a whole body vibration (WBV) platform in a different way than you might expect. Instead of standing on it, Alexis sits sideways and straddles the platform, allowing her legs to hang down on either side. This position provides a sustained stretch to the inner thigh muscles while the vibration is running. They typically: • Set her up with pillows behind her for support • Place a towel or blanket over the unit for comfort • Position the platform on chairs so her legs can hang freely • Let her relax and watch TV during use She often enjoys it so much that she asks for more time! 😊 ⏱️ Typical Use Her family reports using the vibration for about 10 minutes at a time. They may use higher settings (for example 35–60 on their unit), but when starting with a new client, I recommend beginning with lower intensities and shorter durations. Vibration can feel very strong at first and may even cause an itching sensation if the body is not used to it. 💡 Why This May Help Whole body vibration in this position may: ✔🏽 provide a gentle prolonged stretch to tight adductors ✔🏾 reduce stiffness temporarily ✔🏿 improve comfort for movement afterward For Alexis, her family reports that it helps decrease stiffness for several hours after use, giving her more opportunity to practice movement with less resistance. 🎥 Watch All Alexis Videos (Playlist) https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAkJbMrHyKjNQyu5vJsft6bWiGCmEU-nR 🌐 More from me Website: www.pediatricPTexercises.com Facebook: Pediatric Physical Therapy Exercises Email: amysturkey@gmail.com ⚠️ Important note These videos are for educational purposes only and are not a substitute for in-person pediatric physical therapy. Every child is unique. I cannot provide treatment recommendations for a child I have not personally evaluated. For specific guidance, please consult a local pediatric physical therapist. 📚 Books by Amy Sturkey (Amazon) Children’s Books: P is for Poop and Pee Accidents — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLSRJ483 A is for Anxiety — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LXQ3W6V A is for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QH9H5HR C is for Cerebral Palsy — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TSJCYP D is for Down Syndrome — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079P8HH49 A is for Autism — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071F4FFTB Professional PT Books: Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Hips — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156736 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Knees — https://www.amazon.com/dp/0998156760 Pediatric Physical Therapy Strengthening Exercises for the Ankles — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TX2ZCFD Uncertainty note: Research on whole body vibration for children with cerebral palsy is still evolving. Optimal positioning, intensity, and duration are not standardized, so this routine reflects one family’s experience rather than a universal protocol.