On Tuesday 2nd March at 2.30pm, The Wingate Centre will be exhibiting at Kidz to Adultz Venue to Virtual. From Rebound Therapy to Sensory Sessions, Rhiannon tells us more therapies that may help individuals with disabilities.

Rebound Therapy

Some might think Rebound Therapy is new & alternative, but it has been around for nearly half a century.

Rebound Therapy is trampolining with a difference.  It is a form of physiotherapy using a trampoline to provide therapeutic exercises to people with a wide variety of disabilities and special needs. The therapy involves using the moving bed of the trampoline to promote movement in the participant.

What is special about rebound therapy is that it uses altered gravitational effect and weightlessness to enable an individual to achieve physical exercise.  It decreases the load on the body and thus reduces the risk of injury whilst providing a feeling of freedom.

By carrying out basic, through to highly technical physiotherapy techniques on the trampoline, the therapy can provide many therapeutic and physiological benefits:

For a person who spends their time in a wheelchair it gives them freedom in the air where they are not restricted by the limitations of their body.

All the Sports Coaches here at The Wingate Centre are trained to Rebound Therapy Level 2.

Sensory Rooms: A magical place that makes complete sense.

Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. The sensory organs associated with each sense send information to the brain to help understand and perceive the world around us.   For children and young adults with disabilities and limited communication skills only some or part of these senses are available to them.

A sensory room is a special room designed to develop a person’s sense, usually through special lighting, sounds and objects.

This form of therapy assists in treating various disabilities, sensory disorders and conditions including autism, with proven benefits.

The idea behind sensory rooms is to provide an environment in which an individual can be exposed to various forms of stimuli, in a controlled environment, to awaken and release sensory perception.  Sensory equipment can help develop key life skills including vocalisation, gross motor skills, colour recognition and developmental tracking.

Sensory rooms help individuals focus on the present moment.  They are effective in managing stress levels, negative thoughts, and extreme emotions.  Those with a history of aggression can find a sensory room extremely helpful in de-escalating this aggression.  Relaxation is a key component to any sensory room, creating a safe space, which can promote self-organisation and confidence, whilst increasing cognitive processes, to generate positive change.

The sensory room at The Wingate Centre is a therapeutic space, both stimulating and calming.  It is well equipped with a bubble tube, projector, star carpet, sound cushion, toys, books and games.  The space is, of course, wheelchair assessable and has a hoist.

A recent addition to the room is a large fibre optic sensory raincloud which has an ever-changing spectrum of coloured lights.  It is a safe nurturing place encouraging play and self-discovery.

Interesting fact:

The original name for sensory rooms was snoezelen.

Originated from a fusion of the two Dutch words:  ‘snuffelen’ which means to sniff and ‘doezelen’ which means to doze or snooze.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more information or to book a Rebound Therapy session with The Wingate Centre, please call 01270 780456 or email gym@thewingatecentre.co.uk.

To book a Sensory Session with them, please call on 01270 780456 or email enquiries@thewingatecentre.co.uk where they can assist you further or to book a space.

One of the team will be happy to talk through what is involved and its associated benefits.

Keep up to date with the latest news from The Wingate Centre at: https://www.thewingatecentre.co.uk/latest-news/the-wingate-blog