It is a technique to treat physical and mental disability with the application of ” reflex locomotion “. It was given by Prof. Vaclav Vojta
In reflex locomotion, there is a coordinated, rhythmic activation of the total skeletal musculature and a CNS response at various circuit levels
PRINCIPLES
(1) 18 points in the body – crawling and reflex rolling
(2) placing the child in a particular position and simultaneous Stimulation of vital points can help improve CNS development
(3) Should be applied 4-5 times daily and withdraw if no improvement is noticeable after a year
(4) Following this protocol child learn normal movement pattern instead of abnormal ones
The Vojta Principle starts out from what is known as reflex locomotion.
Prof Vojta witnessed that these children responded to certain Stimulation in certain body positions with recurrent motor activities in the trunk and the extremities
The effects of this activation were positive, the children with cerebral palsy could first speak more clearly, and after a short time they could stand up and walk more assuredly
The Vojta method can be divided into 2
phases:
Reflex creeping (prone lying flat with the chest down and back up)
Reflex rolling (supine lying flat with the chest up and back down)
USES
By Following above mentioned principle it was observed that children with spastic cerebral palsy not present with spontaneous motor activity could now be completed more comprehensively with repeated Stimulation” Prof Vojta concluded that movement development in the infantile spastic might be subject to functional blockades “
Prof Vojta developed a holistic approach for these kinds of clinical manifestation in new-born babies, children and adults popularly called as ” Vojta Therapy “
INDICATIONS
Congenital muscular torticollis
Cerebral palsy
Hip dysplasia
Infantile Postural Asymmetry
Spina Bifida
MECHANISM
The reflex locomotion elicited by Vojta therapy is associated with changes in cortical and subcortical brain activation. Tactile stimulations on pre-defined zone of body activates central nervous system. If stimulation is given correctly and repeatedly, motor pattern generated are learned by brain and could be executed voluntarily by an individual.
