PANat for children
What is PANat — for children and families
PANat is a therapeutic approach used to support children with developmental, neurological or movement-related challenges. It can help children with conditions such as cerebral palsy (or other neuro-developmental disorders), hemiparesis, post-traumatic brain injury, congenital or genetic movement disorders, or orthopedic difficulties. (centrumspirala.cz)
PANat often uses special “air-splints” (also called “air braces”) named Urias® Johnstone Air Splints, which help to place the child’s limbs in a correct, gentle, physiological position.
Why PANat is beneficial for children
- Facilitates better movement control: By supporting the limb in a correct position, PANat helps to reduce pathological muscle tone or abnormal reflexes. This gives the child a better starting point for learning controlled, functional movement.
- Supports motor learning and development: Through repeated, guided movement (or even gentle passive positioning), the child’s nervous system can adapt, building new neural connections that support improved function — essential for development, especially with early intervention.
- Improves tissue health and flexibility: The Urias® Johnstone Air Splints and gentle positioning help relax soft tissues, prevent contractures (i.e. stiffening of muscles/tendons), and support joint alignment — important when joints or soft tissues are affected.
- Can be used long-term and at home: PANat is not limited to short treatment windows — it can be used throughout childhood or whenever needed. Children may train under supervision, but also parents/caregivers can be taught simple exercises to continue at home, promoting consistency and gradual improvement.
Holistic, family-oriented approach: Especially at centres like Centrum Spirála, therapy is not only about the child’s physical symptoms — but also about integrating therapy into daily life, supporting nutrition, sleep, posture, and overall well-being of the child and family.
How PANat therapy typically works for children
A therapist assesses the child’s current motor abilities — muscle tone, reflexes, flexibility, posture, movement patterns.
Based on this, the therapist selects appropriate tools as Urias® Johnstone Air Splints and supportive tools to position limbs in a safe, physiological posture.
Through gentle passive movements and/or guided active movements, the child practices movement — with support to avoid abnormal compensation. The Urias® Johnstone Air Splints help reduce unwanted spasticity or reflexive muscle activity.
Over time, with repetition and regular training, the child’s nervous system can learn new, more functional movement patterns — improving mobility, coordination, and functional skills.
Parents or caregivers may be guided in how to help the child at home — ensuring therapy is integrated into everyday life and maintained over long periods.
What families can expect — benefits beyond movement
Improved ability to perform everyday tasks (dressing, eating, playing) as control, coordination and functional movement improve.
Greater comfort and ease: because therapy aims to reduce compensatory, pathological patterns, movement becomes smoother, less effortful, and less painful.
Enhanced overall development: motor learning may support cognitive, sensory, and social development — especially when therapy is accompanied by a broad, holistic approach to child development.
More information: www.centrumspirala.cz
