The ‘Spider’ is a series of elastic ropes attached to an open frame which creates a ‘spider’s web, holding each child in their perfect postural position and enabling them to practise balancing, crawling, kneeling and standing positions, whilst concentrating on essential movements such as supporting, reaching, grasping and holding.

Footsteps Therapy Programme

The Footsteps Centre provides intensive physical therapy for babies and children up to the age of 18 who are affected by a number of conditions including cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, genetic disorders, epilepsy, stroke, meningitis, global delays and undiagnosed conditions.

The Footsteps therapy programme combines traditional mat exercises with the use of a specialist piece of equipment called the ‘Spider’. Therapy at Footsteps helps improve gross motor, fine motor and cognitive development, encouraging even the most reluctant and complex children to reach their full potential. The programme is individually tailored to the diverse needs of each child, ensuring that all children get the most out of each course of therapy.

It focuses on physical rehabilitation but also responds to the physiological needs of each child.

The 'Spider'

‘Spider’ therapy is an intense physiotherapy treatment approach which was originally developed in Poland. It involves suspending the child in the centre of a universal exercise unit (UEU) by using a number of elastic bungee cords of different elasticity. These bungee cords are attached to specific points on a special belt around the child’s waist, forming a unique spider web around the child, which provides them with essential support.

This unique suspension allows the child to move independently while controlling their movements with greater precision and ease, as well as strengthening parts of the child’s body which are affected by. Therefore, the spider will help to promote independence with security.

How will this help children at Footsteps?

  • Motor planning difficulties (apraxia)
  • Motor co-ordination difficulties (ataxia)
  • Hypotonia (decreased muscle tone)
  • Hypertonia (increased muscle tone)
  • Dystonia (fluctuating levels of muscle tone)
  • Muscle contractures causing reduced range of motion
  • Poor postural alignment (potentially influenced by scoliosis)
  • Reduced body awareness (proprioception)

‘Spider’ Therapy helps Footsteps children to:

  • Implement a variety of recommended exercises in any chosen position
  • Develop and practice a variety of activities of daily living in a safe environment
  • Isolate, stimulate and strengthen specific parts of their body and/or selected muscle groups that need rehabilitation in a controlled manner.
  • Reduce the level of their pathological movements
  • Improve their vestibular system performance.

Mat work

Our well-skilled, diverse therapy team are trained in a variety of physiotherapy techniques including Bobath and PNF. The Footsteps therapy programme incorporates traditional mat exercises with a variety of equipment including balls, rollers, trampolines and ladders to facilitate therapy.

Benefits of the programme

  • Encourages progress and development in even the most reluctant child.
  • Strengthens and tones muscles.
  • Improves balance, co-ordination and core stability.
  • Increases confidence and independence.
  • Children acquire new-found skills in everyday activities.
Our well-skilled, diverse therapy team are trained in a variety of physiotherapy techniques including Bobath and PNF. The Footsteps therapy programme incorporates traditional mat exercises with a variety of equipment including balls, rollers, trampolines and ladders to facilitate therapy.
Footsteps Therapy

Speech and Language Therapy

For further information or to make a booking please contact

Anna at annaharazinska.slt@gmail.com
or on 07931130199.

The fee is £75 per session.

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