Body Weight Support System

Our Woodway Body Weight Support System is a type of treadmill with a special frame and a suspension system that assists with holding the patient upright while walking on the treadmill. It was first used in Germany and originally developed for spinal cord injured persons.

It is also used to treat:

• Spinal cord injured persons both complete and incomplete
• Hemiplegics, CVA, Stroke
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Post surgery Orthopedic and other patients with balance deficits and weakness

The special frame and suspension system supports the patient, which allows for safety of the patient and low number of therapists. The body weight support system may be necessary for patients not capable of independent standing or walking or for those who aren't ready for full weight bearing. The speed of the treadmill and support of the suspension system is adjusted according to the patient's needs.

Depending on the patient, the goal of the body weight support system may be to:

• Make the patient capable of walking
• Make the patient capable of standing, weight bearing on their legs
• Increase symmetric stride
• Increase stance length
• Increase postural control
• Increase circulation in muscles, bones, and vascular system
• Prevent skin ulceration
• Awaken reactions of standing or walking
• Improve balance
• Improve sense of well-being by being upright and standing