’When I get on there and I walk, I feel I am normal again'

Carol Walker helps Terry to use an Alter G anti-gravity treadmill. Developed with NASA technology, members wear neoprene shorts that zip into a pressurised, airtight compartment. This allows a reduction of the member’s body weight to make walking easier by lowering the impact on joints and muscles.

’When I get on there and I walk, I feel I am normal again'

The physiotherapist said: “People have neurological disorders for many reasons, loss of balance, loss of sensation and pain. What this does is that it tries to de-rate you to allow you to get back to that automatic walking speed because then your brain functions better.

“The brain works on a repetitive pattern. If we all went for a walk together, we would all walk at a different speed and you tend to pair off with people who walk at a similar speed to you.

“When you try and walk with an elderly relative and you’re having to walk really slowly, you find it more tiring than if you are trying to catch up with somebody who walks a lot quicker than you, it is more tiring. If the brain can function more normally, then it has a better chance when you are off it to be reminded that's what it’s meant to be doing."

When homecare.co.uk asked how often should members use this treadmill weekly, Ms Walker said: “This is a very difficult question. Here we try and get it up to a 20-minute walk because that’s probably the longest time someone with a neurological condition will walk without stopping. They may stop after a few minutes to rest or slow down, but we try and keep a consistent pace for the amount of time.”

At the end of his session, Terry said: “When I get on there and I walk, I feel like I am normal again. That 10 or 15 minutes are nice. It’s just getting the brain to work.”

Read the full article below and watch Terry use the AlterG or contact Sales@sport-medical for more information on the AlterG