To be sure, gravity has its merits. It’s nice to know that you don’t have to be tethered to your house at risk of floating away. But what if you suffered from chronic pain, such as arthritis; or were injured in a car accident? What if you were overweight and just wanted to be able to move without a care? This is where gravity becomes a bit of a nemesis; with every step you take, gravity is literally pulling you down.

Now imagine if you could win against gravity? What would you do?  Would you focus on recovering from an injury? Train for your first marathon? Work on your balance to walk your daughter down the aisle?

One of the key reasons why some patients referred to physical therapy after an injury or surgery does not actually go is because they want to see progress, but don’t want to feel pain. For someone who is overweight, taking even that first step can be a put-off. And for someone suffering from a progressive disease like Parkinson’s the whole idea of movement may be overwhelming.

What if you could be weightless?

Alter-G^® Anti Gravity treatment may be exactly what you need. But what is Alter-G® Anti Gravity treatment and what are its benefits?

More than a Treadmill

The Alter-G^® has taken a regular treadmill and brought it into the space age. Traditional treadmills offer no relief from the pressure and pounding that impacts one’s feet, knees, joints, hips, and spine. In fact, the impact of each stride you take during walking is approximately three times your body weight. That means that if you are a 200-lb. man, your body will bear the impact of 600 pounds with every step you take. If your physical therapist or doctor is recommending a treadmill or walking for therapy or weight loss, that is a lot of pressure per step for that 200-pound man.

The Alter-G^® is more than a treadmill, offering a unique differential air pressure technology that can effectively reduce your body weight by up to 80%.  This reduces the pain of that first step on the road to wellness to the point where you are able to focus on your natural gait and the process of healing.

NASA Developed and FDA Approved

The Alter-G^® Treadmill was developed by NASA and enhanced by Alter-G to provide precise underweighting that can be increased in 1% intervals. This underweighting takes the pressure of your body so you can start slowly and gradually gain strength, balance, and confidence.  The Alter-G^® Treadmill has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration for the following functional rehabilitation indications:

• Rehabilitation following injury or surgery of the lower extremity (hip, knee, ankle or foot).
• Rehabilitation after total joint replacement.
• Gait training in neurologic patients.
• Strengthening and conditioning in older patients.
• Weight control and reduction.
• Sport specific conditioning programs.
• Aerobic conditioning.

Regaining Balance and Mobility

Treadmills are synonymous with movement. Usually, the objective is to increase mobility, and this is measured in time and speed. But for patients who are learning to walk on joint replacements, overcoming a stroke, or suffering from neurological diseases, speed and time are not part of the initial equation. For these patients, the first goal may be to maintain balance, or simply, to move the limb.  By reducing a person’s weight and the exercise intensity, each small step is one step closer to a higher level of rehabilitation. And your physical therapist will be right alongside you, every step of the way, to ensure your journey has a successful outcome.

If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, the Alter-G® may be the solution you have been waiting for.

• Do you have arthritis that prevents you from walking long distances?
• Are you trying to lose weight, but you can’t walk or run for long periods of time because of the stress to your joints?
• Are you just out of surgery for a repaired ACL, meniscus, spinal disc, or joint replacement?
• Do you have foot, shin, knee, hip, or back pain but still want to continue training?
• Do you have difficulty walking because of balance issues?
• Do you have Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, a prosthetic leg, or rehabilitating post-stroke and would like to improve your strength, conditioning, and coordination with walking?

Experience the Alter-G® for yourself at Suburban Physical Therapy. To schedule an appointment with the Alter-G® or any one of many more traditional therapy options, please call our Brecksville office at (440) 746-1730, or our Twinsburg office at (330) 963-2920. Same-day appointments may often be available so please call the office of your choice. You may also submit an appointment request via our Request an Appointment form.