What is ABR? « Terrible Palsy

What is ABR?

This is an extract from an article written by Leonid Blyum

ABR STRATEGY

ABR targets the core structures – the smooth muscles that are directly related to the quality of the general metabolism (proper breathing, swallowing, digestion, evacuation, etc.) that determine pneumatic capacity of the organism which is considered by ABR as a fundamental issue that defines the proportions and the alignment of the skeleton and the normality of the skeletal muscles

The objective of ABR is to restore proper tone of to the smooth muscles which in a cascade effect restores proportions and alignment of the skeleton. Once this is done, the muscle tone is normalized and the arms and legs have a normal range of mobility, so the children can develop their movements in normal spontaneous ways.

What are the smooth muscles?

The smooth muscles are the ones make up the internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys, intestines, etc. ABR considers the smooth muscles as the primary victims of cerebral palsy as their tone significantly drops in the hours following the brain injury.

Why address the smooth muscles?

The development of the organism is dependent upon the evolving strength of its internal pressures (pressure within internal cavities such as the neck, thorax and abdomen) created by the tone of the smooth muscles. If the pressure within the human organism collapses, in other words, if the tone of the smooth muscles drops, the skeleton structure surrounding it gradually collapses as well, causing the skeletal muscles imbalance (spasticity and contractures). In turn, muscular imbalance makes normal movements impossible.

This is why ABR proposes a unique technique to bring kinetic input directly to smooth muscles.

Strengthening of the smooth muscles brings up gradual growth in internal pneumatic capacity which in a cascade effect restores

• volume and shape of the trunk,
• normal distances between limbs and joints, eliminating spasticity and contractures,
• normal strength of weak muscles,
• normal alignment of the shoulder girdle and arms as well as pelvis and legs allowing normal arms and legs insertion.

Moreover, restoration of muscular skeletal structure re-establishes normal blood and oxygen supply to defective muscles and normal electrical ascending activity to the brain, opening wide the door to function.

ABR METHOD

The technique addresses internal layers rather than external and makes internal muscles react automatically. The child is a passive recipient.

The exercises do not work directly on top of the muscles. Instead, they imitate the way the movement of the lungs gently and rhythmically pushes air within the chest and abdomen against the internal muscles steadily developing and maintaining their electrical activity by developing and maintaining their blood supply and also accumulating normal volume in order to have proper head and neck control and so on downwards.

The rehabilitation program is based on a series of exercises transferring kinetic energy via quasi-static movement into membrane (tissue and cells). It is a pumping, piston-like hand movement which reaches the deepest involuntary muscles layers. It imitates the way the movement of the lungs gently and rhythmically pushes air within the chest and abdomen against the internal muscles steadily developing and maintaining their electrical activity by developing and maintaining their blood supply and also accumulating normal volume.

Towels are used as “air cushions” to ensure that there is no compression of the superficial tissues (skin and superficial muscles) and allow going through the barrier of skeletal muscles to reach the deepest layers (smooth muscles).

The muscles targeted are the involuntary intrinsic muscles of the neck and trunk (thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic floor). The excessive strong muscular groups, which are associated with the most pronounced effects of CP (spasticity, contractures) are never directly addressed by these exercises. Instead, recovery is achieved through strengthening opposing muscular groups.

Once the “quality” of the musculoskeletal elements has been improved, the brain upgrades its “matrix” of the musculoskeletal system to incorporate these positive changes and the child then starts executing motor functions spontaneously.

To find out more, please visit the ABR website.

24 May 2007

I just wanted to put up some photos so that a record could be kept of any changes.

The first photo is after 50 hours of ABR, the second is after 500 hours. Although the neck is at different angles, there is a real difference in his neck length. You can also see that his clavicle is becoming more prominent.

Again, the first photo is after 50 hours of ABR and the second photo is after approximately 500 hours of ABR. You can see that he is getting better definition in his tummy. This has translated to greater stability while sitting upsupported.

28 October 2007

18 Comments »

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Hi Jacqui

Thank you for such an open and honest account of daily life with your beautiful children. My 15-month old son, Jaden, has been diagnosed with choreo athetoid celebral palsy (I think that is how you spell it). He’s not sitting or crawling yet. What kind of therapies to you do with your son? Jaden does some physio-, occupational-therapy, brain gym and cranialsacral therapy – we are still trying to find what works best for him, because he’s very sensitive, stresses easily and then pulls himself stiff. I would really appreciate your feedback.

Comment by Michelle — August 7, 2007 #

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Hi Michelle,

Our main therapy is ABR. It is a type of myofacsial stimulation for want of a better description. ABR has made a huge difference to Moo body structure which is slowly translating into functional changes. However, it is very time consuming and is something that once you start, it is a long term thing.

We also do cranialsacral therapy. This gives short term relief for Moo from his intense spasticity. The mainstream therapies such as physio and OT are also on our list.

I think the most important thing is to find a therapy that works for you and Jaden. I don’t believe that there is much point in forcing Jaden to do things that is just physically uncomfortable for him – not to mention the whole sensory thing. For us it is ABR but it may not be right for other families. I’ve also looked into HBOT and G-Therapy but am not going with them at present.

If you want to talk to other parents who are doing ABR, there is a support group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ABR_Support/ – it is open to families looking into the therapy. Otherwise, Cerebral Palsy Moms (like is in the side bar) is another support group where you can meet other parents going through similar issues and working their way through the therapy maze.

Hope this helps,
Jacqui

Comment by terriblepalsy — August 8, 2007 #

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Hi there- I love your video! It is prompting me to get a working camera so that we can video document our son’s journey with ABR also! Isn’t ABR wonderful? We were just up to CA for my son Mitch’s 6 month check and training and Leonid saw changes that I hadn’t even noticed! Talk about positive feedback for all my hard work!
Keep up the good work and love your site!!!!!

Mitchell’s Mom – Vickie

Comment by Vickie — November 19, 2007 #

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Dear Jacqui,

do you also do PT and OT? I’m trying to imagine our lives once we start with ABR.

Comment by Mama Terapeuta — January 3, 2008 #

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No, we don’t do regular PT and OT. These types of therapies get incorporated into play time. I only stretch Moo if he really needs it or is cramping. It’s not that ABR is against PT or OT, though they do look at these things differently, it’s more that they don’t want you doing things with the child that the child isn’t ready to do. So we don’t force Moo to stand if he doesn’t want to. Which is fine with me because when he used to stand, it was always on really bad structure.
They have been recently introducing active ABR at training sessions but I don’t know much about this yet. It may be that you will find out before me.

Comment by terriblepalsy — January 4, 2008 #

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Just came across your site- was very moving.I have a totally disable daughter,Karina is now 25yrs old.When she was 13 she had a heart attack- suffered hypoxic brain damage through lack of oxygen.Went to USA did course at IAP for 3 yrs was very hard.Recently came across ABR site- it appears to very interesting concept- now waiting on free video- hopes it will be the answer to help Karinas rigidity in wrists etc.
Anyway again to see what you are doing and achieved.
Kind Regards
Tony Wynn Wagga Wagga

Comment by tony wynn — March 5, 2008 #

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- bonjour,
  Je viens de prendre votre message.Je voulais vous encourager pour votre fille moi même j’ai une fille cindy qui a des lésions cérébrales suite a un manque d’oxyène j’ai pratiqué le patterning à philadelphie (u.s.a)cela a aidé cindy mais depuis que je pratique la thérapie a.b.r il a de grands changements avant la thérapie (a.b.r) elle était très rigide contractée un BLOC!!! monsieur léonid blyum est le meilleur pour soigner les enfants souffrants de lésions cérébrales la thérapie est logique une foi que l’on comprise cela motive a la mettre en route je sais qu’il y a un centre au canada
  Vous pouvez contacter le centre et poser vos questions
  J’espère avoir été d’une aide pour vous orienter beaucoup de courage à karina et vous la famille
  cordialement
  PS:vous pouvez m’envoyer un mail pour plus d’informations
  je suis belge
  
  Comment by taillard — August 4, 2009 #
  
  Reply
As we say here, worth a thousand words….your photos and videos show me Moo has significant positive effects of the ABR treatment.

Comment by Barbara — April 24, 2008 #

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What a fascinating explanation, thank you. That is very exciting. Hat’s off to you and your hard-working son whose workouts are really paying off!! Also, he is ridiculously adorable.

Comment by DotComMom — May 3, 2008 #

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[...] What is ABR? [...]

Pingback by ABR « Terrible Palsy — June 9, 2008 #

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Have you got any contact details for ABR at Avoca?
Would like to get our beautiful girl into tthe program.
Michael

Comment by Michael — August 21, 2008 #

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HI there –

Loved looking at the photos of MOOs improvements they are terrific !

I have a 10 yo daughter we have been doing ABR for 3 years now and there are lots of structural changes.

I actually am the ABR coordinator for the Avoca clinic in Australia so I noticed that Michael left a message for contact details – could you pass him my phone number – it is 02 67252441.

thanks and good luck – love Vicky

Comment by Vicky Mackey — September 30, 2008 #

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thanks for the great info..very interesting stuff…I used MAT therapy after my knee surgery with amazing results…this sounds similar. Cant wait to read more about it.

Comment by Corey — November 25, 2008 #

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Hi Moo and Mom,
you’re doing a wondefull work and giving me a lot of hope. My son Soo has spastic tetraplegia cerebral palsy, he was born more than two months
prior to his expected due date.
Now Soo has 3 years and he could not stand,his legs are rigid and always closed. Can you tell me please more about ABR method, how many hours a day do you work with Moo? is the therapy easy to learn?
Thank you very much
Jamy

Comment by jamy — January 27, 2009 #

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- Bonjour,
  Je viens de prendre votre message.Je suis la maman d’une fille infirme moteur cérébrales(i.m.c)
  je pratique la thérapie a.b.r depuis 7 ans grâce à la thérapie ma fille à beaucoup changée elle redresse la tête son corps est droit sa hanche luxée se redresse vraiment incroyable une thérapie logique la thérapie est facile à apprendre il faut travailler +- 3heures vous notez les changements cela vous aidera et vous serez motivée!!! de poursuivre la méthode
  vous pouvez me contacter pour plus de renseignements
  j’embrasse très fort votre petit garçon soo
  et vous encourage bien à vous
  maman de cindy (claudine)
  
  Comment by taillard — August 4, 2009 #
  
  Reply
Hello,

My son has hypoxic brain injury. He is now 2.5 years old and he is unable to sit/stand/walk by himself. We started to do ABR last year and we continue to do it, but we are thinking about stopping it because it is getting expensive. They charge us for monthly rent for machine and charge us many little bit things and getting too much. We still hesitate to stop doing it since his ortho doctor said his hip will be dislocated next year and he will need surgery. I have read and follow up your story about ABR. Your story inspires me to start ABR. Also,You said you are doing a lot of hip exercises, is it for preventing your son hip dislocated? Wait for reply. Please reply to my email: jessiejayhawaii@yahoo.com Thank you very much.

Comment by Jessica — January 31, 2009 #

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Hi There
WOW what an amazing story and life you have there!
I Have a 2 yo with spastic quad and am very much inspired by your sharing of your story…
I met another mum today whose 1yo has taken on ABR..
I am just so eager to start and learn more about this so I can help my little man out!
Thank you for sharing your story with us all.
Thanks, Kristina

Comment by Kristina — July 16, 2009 #

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I would love to get the contact details for Avoca. Just stumbled upon the ABR method and keen to access it for my daughter.

Kind regards,
Claudia

Comment by Claudia — September 30, 2009 #

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