Hi again,

Sorry to bother you two days in a row. The other thread about Allie's sensory issues is locked, so I had to post a new thread here. However, I'm sure this thread will be of interest to many of our GERD parents, so I don't feel bad posting it.

In your response to my post about Allie, you said that I should ask Allie's OT to do:

"core strengthening activities to assist with tightening those upper and lower esophageal sphincters. She might have great trunk strength, but weak sphincter closure. I get my patients on therapy balls in front of a long length mirror and basically have them do “crunches” with mommies holding toys over them, beside them, etc."

Our OT didn't know what these were when I asked her last night. Can I ask you for a detailed description of how to do these?

Thanks so much!

Christyn

Robynne responded to my message in a private message, but I wanted to post it here in case anyone else was interested. We are surely going to try these exercises!

christyn:

I am SOOOOO sorry! I must have missed your post and I apologize. Please know that you said nothing that offended me :icon_smi: What happened is Roni had a problem with the professionals on the forum getting email notices about our threads (the last 4-5 days). SO, we have been coming on to check for them. Apparently I missed one! Problem solved and the email is now working.

Sit her upright on the ball in fron of a long length mirror and kneel on your knees behind the ball so you are supporting her with both hands at her hip joints securely. Slowly rock her side to side, so she has to "right" her trunk to see herself in the mirror again, using her core muscles. Then try bringing her towards you slightly so she is doing a modified crunch, and then bring her towards the mirror again. You use the mirror as a focal point. For the next exercise, you need 2 people. Place Allie on her back (carefully) on the ball, supporting her at the hip joints.You are at her head and someone else is at her feet, presenting a toy to her that she should want to come get (by using her abdominals) by sitting up. Does this make sense at all? Try rocking her north, south east, and west slightly so she has to use her trunk muscles. Make her grab for toys and come upright to a sitting position.

Robynne