This is certainly not an inclusive list. Custom molded seating is important for many reasons including the following:
Prevention of skin breakdown, by more equally distributing weight. It distributes the weight of the individual, especially if they have something like an obliquity or a rotation.
It improves the individual's posture, so they can participate better in things like ADLs, education, work activities.
It can improve respiratory function because it makes them sit up straighter.
Or it can improve head and neck alignment by better supporting their lower body.
Improve GI function by getting their body, again, more upright.
Pain control, if you are constantly hanging over to the side or slouched over, that's an uncomfortable position, which if you're doing it all day long, makes you uncomfortable and can make you be in pain.
Improved head alignment, improved eye gaze, which thereby can make you use your speech devices better. This improves communication.
Attempts to minimize the progression of deformity. This is especially important in younger children or teenage years where we're trying to slow or minimize the progression of a spinal curve, for example.
Help control abnormal muscle tone.
I'm sure there are twenty more things that we could think of. These are just some of the reasons that I have used in letters to justify why custom molded seating is important for clients.
For more information about custom molded seating please check out this course.
Lindsey Veety, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Lindsey is a Physical Therapist with 20 years of experience, who specializes in working with individuals with complex conditions and assistive technology. She is a RESNA certified ATP/SMS and has completed her NOT training. Lindsey specializes in the areas of seating and positioning, custom-molded seating, and adaptations/access to the environment. She enjoys presenting at conferences, doing webinars, and publishing in these areas as well.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/writing-letters-medical-necessity-for-4424Writing Letters of Medical Necessity for Seating and WheelchairsThis course will cover the details of what to include in a letter of medical necessity. Examples will be given along the way to support not only different types of chairs and seating, but also different scenarios for when insurance companies ask for information how to best answer questions.auditory, textual, visual
This course will cover the details of what to include in a letter of medical necessity. Examples will be given along the way to support not only different types of chairs and seating, but also different scenarios for when insurance companies ask for information how to best answer questions.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/custom-molded-seating-101-4315Custom Molded Seating 101When seeing a client in a wheelchair, knowing what type of seating to choose can be a challenge, especially if the client presents with complex conditions or body shapes that don't fit into linear seating. This presentation will give an introduction to what custom molded seating is, who it would be used for, compare and contrasting the main custom molded seating systems on the market, and go through a simulated molding, fitting, and delivery. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
When seeing a client in a wheelchair, knowing what type of seating to choose can be a challenge, especially if the client presents with complex conditions or body shapes that don't fit into linear seating. This presentation will give an introduction to what custom molded seating is, who it would be used for, compare and contrasting the main custom molded seating systems on the market, and go through a simulated molding, fitting, and delivery. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/wheelchair-seating-considerations-for-hands-3585Wheelchair Seating: Considerations for the Hands-Free SitterWheelchair seating is designed to provide postural support and alignment, stability for function and mitigate pressure issues. This course will address assessment and intervention when working with a client who can sit without the support of their hands, referred to as the ‘hands-free’ sitter.auditory, textual, visual
Wheelchair seating is designed to provide postural support and alignment, stability for function and mitigate pressure issues. This course will address assessment and intervention when working with a client who can sit without the support of their hands, referred to as the ‘hands-free’ sitter.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/seating-and-mobility-specialist-sms-3586The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) Certification: An OverviewThe Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification recognizes competence in assessment and intervention. This course will cover what this certification is, who the SMS is designed for, why it was developed, why the SMS may be beneficial to a clinician and how to acquire this certification.auditory, textual, visual
The Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification recognizes competence in assessment and intervention. This course will cover what this certification is, who the SMS is designed for, why it was developed, why the SMS may be beneficial to a clinician and how to acquire this certification.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/matching-products-to-seating-needs-4099Matching Products to Seating NeedsOnce the wheelchair seating assessment has been completed and seating interventions considered, it is time to match specific client needs to product interventions. This course presents various categories of seating systems. Seating systems, whether linear, contoured, or molded, are comprised of primary support surfaces, secondary support components, and materials. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Once the wheelchair seating assessment has been completed and seating interventions considered, it is time to match specific client needs to product interventions. This course presents various categories of seating systems. Seating systems, whether linear, contoured, or molded, are comprised of primary support surfaces, secondary support components, and materials. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
