How is a Platform Swing Used for Therapy?

Platform swings, which consist of a wide, flat, square surface that is suspended from a ceiling from ropes or chains, provide many benefits when incorporated into a physical or occupational therapy program. They provide a sense of movement for individuals who are physically disabled, they can increase awareness and they add the element of fun to therapy sessions. Platform swings can be used in therapy clinics, schools or at home.

Safety

• Make sure the swing is firmly bolted to the ceiling, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Southpaw Enterprises, a therapy equipment provider, recommends that platform swings be bolted into ceiling supports with forged steel eyebolts and warns that many therapy clinics fail to install their swings adequately.

Sessions

• Consider how the swing will fit into the client's therapy schedule. Therapists often start a session with swinging, because it can increase arousal and prepare the client for other therapy activities, or they use the swing in the middle of the session to prevent boredom and help the client wake up. In a school setting, swinging sessions during recess can provide fun and stimulation for children with disabilities and special needs. Platform swings can also be incorporated into a home therapy schedule, providing an entertaining and beneficial way for an individual to unwind after a day of school or work.

Positioning

• Use different positions to work on therapy goals while ensuring the client's safety. If a client is able to sit independently, she can work on balance, trunk control and range of motion while sitting up on the swing. Other clients may benefit from lying prone, a position that can increase shoulder stability and head control. Still other clients may benefit the most from lying on their backs or sides. If the swing has an adequate weight limit, a therapist or parent can sit on the swing to help with positioning. For clients who need extra security on the swing, Velcro bumper attachments are also available.

Swing Motion

• Consider the diagnosis, therapy goals and needs of the client to decide what kind of swinging motion will be the most beneficial. A slow, back and forth motion is usually calming, while fast, high swinging can be stimulating. Spinning or quick stops and starts on the swing tend to increase arousal and attention. Watch the client carefully, especially when he is using the swing for the first time, for signs of distress, anxiety or motion sickness.

Activities

• Therapists can use games and activities to work on additional therapy goals while the client is on the swing. For example, catching and throwing a ball can improve balance and coordination, as can leaning over the swing to pick up bean bags from the floor. When a client pulls herself on a swing with a rope, she can improve her strength and self-confidence. In a school or home setting, the swing can encourage social interaction, as children take turns pushing or riding on the swing.

Have Fun

• For people with special needs, a swing can change a difficult, exhausting therapy session into a fun and relaxing activity. In addition, physically disabled children, who cannot use traditional playground equipment, may have limited experience with the excitement and entertainment that these provide. While swinging is a useful therapy tool, clients should be able to spend some time swinging just for the sake of swinging.