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Vibration Plates -
Standing on this vibration plate for 10 minutes can lessen spasticity, improve circulation and help heal tight stiff sore muscles. Its vibrations release muscle fascia, and it can efficiently improve strength, flexibility, speed, and balance. But the type of vibration plate you choose matters.
Galileo operates with side-to-side vibrations similar to walking/running. Galileo was the first company to create the vibration plate and they have lots of studies to back it up their results including: reducing muscle tightness, restoring spinal motion, and improving postural alignment. The Galileo seems to loosens ALL of my spastic muscles - especially the muscles deep inside that are so difficult to otherwise reach. When you feel the whole body vibrations - you become less sensitive to your pain sensations - so you feel less pain. Galileo is effective, but expensive $7,658. Try looking for Galileo at a neuro physical therapy clinic near you. My rating 5 stars.
The Hypervibe uses side-to-side rotational vibration which helps with destabilization (to regain and improve balance), circulation (and assists lymphatic drainage, improves complextion, reduces swelling, improves your warm-up), and increases muscle relaxation (reduces muscle tension, improves recovery, reduces muscle soreness). See the Hypervibe buyer's guide for more information. The tower is advised for balance in combination with exercises like half squats. Price: Hypervibe G17 Business $5,749. Hypervibe G14 Home $3,999. Hypervibe G10 Compact $1,799 (has no tower option). My rating: 4 stars.
Many less expensive vibration plates are available on Amazon for $100. Unfortunately, they lack the same type of vibrations and clinical evidence. Look for the research before you purchase.
Smart Cuffs blood flow restrictor (BFR) cuffs wrap around the upper thighs (or arms) and constrict blood flow - like a blood pressure machine. Blood is then trapped in the muscle creating low oxygen levels and high metabolite levels. Muscles will tire quickly during guided low load exercises. Studies show these BFR cuffs improve strength, function, and mobility.
The BFR cuffs provide consistent pressure that induces muscle fatigue, hypertrophy, and metabolic stress without requiring heavy, joint-straining loads. By reducing blood leaving the muscle (venous return) while maintaining blood entering the muscle (arterial inflow), the muscle experiences rapid oxygen depletion (local hypoxia) and a buildup of lactate and other metabolic byproducts.
Many studies show a significant increase in growth hormone following BFR activity, which contributes to muscle repair, connective tissue remodeling, collagen synthesis, and metabolic regulation.
For me, after about 10 minutes of low-weight-bearing exercise, the cuffs are removed and the spasticity in my legs is dramatically reduced. My movement becomes fluid, and I can lift my knees much higher than usual. The effect lasts about 3–4 hours.
There is a case study underway with Smart Cuffs BFR and patients with post- stroke spasticity. While research is early, it suggests BFR cuffs may have central nervous system effects beyond muscle strengthening. Spasticity often coexists with weakness, which BFR can address. Perhaps, think about asking you DPT for a 10 minute trial, to see if your spasticity is also greatly reduced for hours.
Exoskeletons
Dnsys exoskeletons use AI to sync your movements with neurological gait assistance. Dnsys has two modes Assist and Aqua (for endurance). During develoment, rehab hospitals used Dnsys with over 200 patients in Assist mode. Assist lifts the thighs and displaces the weight off of the hips to help walk, hike, or climb stairs in a breeze. Requirements for usage: 1.You need to walk at a pace of 1+ meter per second. 2. You need to have good balance - it will not assist with balance issues. Its torque/power ~900W, ~40-50Nm. Battery lasts ~20 km. Dnsys weighs about 3.5 pounds. $899 X1
Hypershell exoskeleton uses AI for performance optimization. It is geared for outdoor adventuring with built-in terrain/mode diversity. There are multiple modes for different terrains: stairs, uphill/downhill, running, and cycling. It delivers ~800 watts of power with up to ~32 Nm torque on stronger models. The battery lasts 17.5 kms. Hypershell weighs 4.4 pounds. $899 X
Infrared Heating Pad
An infrared Heating Pad brings deeper and longer-lasting heat than regular heating pads. They can ease tightened spastic muscles in the middle of the night - so you may not need to get out of bed to stretch in the wee hours. Just set your timer so you don't fall asleep with the heating pad on.
Research supports using a heating pad for HSP to:
Calm sensory input to the nervous system
Increase local blood flow
Improve tissue elasticity
Gently reduce muscle tone
Promote sustained relaxation without strongly activating stretch reflexes
(24 x 16) $82
Percussion Massagers
You may want to avoid deep tissue or high intensity percussion massagers as they can be too aggressive for bodies with HSP. Spasticity is a neurologically driven condition, caused by overactive reflex signaling from the spinal cord. Strong or rapid mechanical stimulation can sometimes trigger or increase these reflexes. Quick, forceful stimulation may provoke reflex contractions and actually increase muscle tone rather than reduce it.
In some individuals, aggressive massage gun usage can aggravate clonus, or lead to increased tightness later in the day.
When used correctly and gently, the benefits of a massager gun are often temporary. Massage gun usage for people with HSP are usually good only when used lightly on larger muscle groups like the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Use only very gently on the calves, as they are often more prone to clonus and reflex tightening. Use caution, or avoid using a massager altogether on hip flexors, lower back, inner thighs, or any area that feels twitchy, overly reactive, or "wired." If your muscle begins to tighten, contract, or spasm, stop use immediately. $35.99
Rather, for most people with HSP, sustained heat (such as a heating pad or warm hydrotherapy) is more effective for calming the nervous system and reducing muscle tone safely.
Aqua Therapy Tools
Benig in the water helps with weight displacement and lightens your load, so DPTs recommend water exercises for people with HSP. Water supports much of your body weight (reducing it by up to 90% when waist-deep), lessening impact on joints, and allowing for easier movement, while its natural resistance (viscosity) and hydrostatic pressure work muscles harder for toning and calorie burn creating a low-impact, high-resistance workout. Win, win!
Aqua Trip Floatation Belt
Aqua Trip Floatation Belt
The Aqua Trip Flotation Belt can be worn for side step, marching, and other aquatic exercises that work the lower body and build cardio stamina. The buoyancy helps keep you upright and balanced in deeper water so you can focus on controlled leg movements.
For people with HSP, the belt reduces load on tight or spastic muscles while allowing practice of walking patterns, high-knee marching, balance, and endurance with less joint strain and fall risk. I was advised not to use a kick board in the typical way and to use this instead. $44
Aquatic Dumbells
Aquatic Dumbells
Aquatic Dumbells are unweighted for pool resistance for some upper body workouts. These dumbells can be a part of a weight routine towards developing a strong upper body -including a strong chest, back, shoulders, and arms - as needed to help lift our HSP bodies when our legs can no longer can do so. $25
Lower Body Alignment Helpers
Toe Separators
Toe Separators
These soft, stretchy toe spacers help correct bunions, relieve foot pain, and maintain proper toe alignment. Local trainers recommended these to build strength in toes and feet. $15
Posture Belt
Posture Belt
Lordosis is common for people with HSP. It is the outward tilting of the lower spine. The Posture Belt helps with spine realignment and it can even be worn to bed. $30
Automotive Support Handle
This devise allows you get in/out of the car more easily. Place the device in the door (the U-shaped door stricker or latch) and then you can push upon it to help you rise/lower more easily. This grab bar can fit in your glove box or purse and can help prevent falls. $25
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