Bengt Engstrom, Sweden

 

Using logical reasoning... Learn more about the interaction between the body and the wheelchair - influence and reactions.

Level: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Course Description

Seating aspects is an imperative part of a wheelchair and is important to understand. The content of the day is about the body in relation to wheelchair design, communicating what we can do to make more users stay away from developing additional problems. The day will discuss fundamental principles regarding seating and mobility solutions for users with more complex needs, focusing on understanding the interaction between wheelchair design/adaptation and different seating needs. The various user needs analysed are, poor trunk stability, non-flexible asymmetry, high muscle tone/tension, low muscle tone and different patterns. Patterns seen in complex users will be demonstrated, analysed and discussed. Can we find logical reasons behind the development of patterns. Most importantly, can we change the patterns? What is symptom and what is cause? Solutions for changing influence on the user is really based on adapting the wheelchair´s physical features. Showing actual adaptations is an important part of the presentation. The day will gracefully change the way you look at seating and wheelchair adaptation.

Course Objectives

At the end of the day participants will better understand: How seating systems may influence human bodies and how it is compensated-

• The difference and roll between the symmetric and asymmetric spinal column.
• How different patterns (head, trunk, arms and legs) may develop.
• How to use wheelchair design features for positive influence on the user.
• That changing a users body-behaviour is a long-term process.

 

Presenter Bio

Bengt Engström, Sweden, is a Physiotherapist, Lecturer, Author and Designer working internationally on freelance basis. His objective is to contribute with and spread knowledge about wheelchair sitting, covering the negative risks wheelchair users are facing as well as the positive possibilities. The target groups are mainly persons who are responsible for wheelchair design and adaptation, but also other important professions who are involved in or work with wheelchair users and seating problems. He has since 1986 when working at ETAC, a Swedish wheelchair manufakturer, been deeply involved in the field of wheelchair design and adaptation. Through his company Engström Concept AB (founded 1990), which he runs together with his wife Anita (OT), Bengt has presented over 2000 seminars and his practical seating and wheelchair seminars are highly requested and presented in many countries worlwide. He is an author of several books about Ergonomic Seating and Wheelchair Adaptation, available in different languages. As a Consultant he is also involved in product design, cooperating with various manufacturers.

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