Courses – Head Support

Dynamic Seating is often used to prevent equipment breakage, specifically the wheelchair frame and seating system. The Dynamic components absorb strong, repeated, sudden, and/or sustained forces, hence protecting vulnerable areas of the seating and mobility base. But what about the Dynamic Components themselves? Just how durable are these?

Dynamic Seating can improve function, including medical functioning. This Quick Class reviews specifics supported by research.

Dynamic seating provides resistance to movement initiated by the wheelchair user, usually through spring or elastomer type mechanisms or other resistive, but mobile components. Movement against resistance has been demonstrated to increase strength in people with increased muscle tone without an increase in spasticity. Increased muscle strength can, in turn, improve both postural control and functioning.

Dynamic Seating moves in response to client forces. Many clients move, not due to increased extensor tone, but rather for the explicit purpose of moving. We all tend to seek out movement. We are wired to move, and movement has so many benefits.

The forces from extension on a static wheelchair seat and frame can be so strong as to cause damage to equipment. Hardware used to mount the seating system and components (such as a head support), are particularly susceptible to damage.

Many clients using wheelchair seating have increased muscle tone. This can lead to active extension, particularly at the hips, knees, and neck.

Dynamic seating has many potential applications. Dynamic components absorb and diffuse force, protecting the wheelchair user from injury caused by sustained and/or repeated forces and reducing damage to the seating system and wheelchair.