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Dynamic Movement Intervention
What is the Dynamic Movement Intervention?
Dynamic Movement Intervention (DMI) is a hands-on therapeutic approach used to help children with motor delays develop stronger, more purposeful movement and progress toward developmental milestones. DMI uses specific exercises and movement patterns to encourage the child’s body to actively respond and develop automatic postural and motor responses.
During DMI, your therapist guides your child through carefully selected exercises designed to encourage specific movements and responses. These exercises can help support skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, walking, and transitioning between positions.
DMI is rooted in principles of neurorehabilitation and neuroplasticity, helping to provide the brain with opportunities to develop and strengthen new connections. By challenging your child’s nervous system in a purposeful and supportive way, DMI can help build the foundation for improved motor skills, strength, coordination, and independence.
DMI is designed to challenge your child’s body and brain to actively participate in movement. Rather than simply placing a child into a position, DMI exercises create opportunities for them to respond, adjust their body, and work toward producing the desired movement.
Through progressively challenging exercises, DMI can help improve postural control, balance, strength, coordination, body awareness, and motor planning, while supporting progress toward functional skills and developmental milestones. The repeated practice and active responses encouraged during DMI also provide valuable input to the nervous system, helping support motor learning and neuroplasticity.
The ultimate goal of utilizing the DMI techniques is to help your child become a more active and independent participant in the own movement and function.
What are benefits of DMI?
DMI can be beneficial for children with a wide range of motor delays and developmental challenges—from children who are still working toward early milestones like rolling and sitting to children who are already walking but need support with more advanced skills such as stairs, uneven surfaces, or transitions.
Because the exercises are tailored to each child, DMI may benefit children with a variety of diagnoses and developmental challenges, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypotonia, genetic conditions, developmental delays, and acquired brain injuries. It may also be helpful for children who are at increased risk for developmental delays, including children born prematurely.
Every child is different, and DMI is not appropriate for every diagnosis or medical condition. Unfortunately, children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) or other brittle bone conditions are not appropriate candidates for DMI due to the increased risk of injury. Your therapist will consider your child’s individual needs, abilities, and medical history when determining whether DMI is a safe and appropriate intervention.
Is DMI right for my child?
Why choose ParaFisio for your DMI treatment?
Years of Experience and Education Under Our Belt
At ParaFisio Therapy & Wellness, we have the experience of using the intensive therapy model for close to a decade. In addition to our experience, we prioritize continuing education and combining a multitude of resources to help our clients achieve their goals.
That is why here at ParaFisio, you will receive a fully client-tailored program that will include DMI techniques, combined with the TheraSuit Method and NISE-Stim treatment protocol that will be based entirely on your child's needs.
Contact us here to learn more or to set up a consultation!
For more information about DMI, visit dmitherapy.com
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
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