In this article, our team of physiotherapists spotlight everything there is to know about the less-known form of therapy, lycra garments. If you’re new to the world of lycra garments, you may be wondering how they work and the main benefits of using them. Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! So, let’s get started. What are lycra garments?
Lycra garments, otherwise known as lycra orthotics are orthotic devices that use a strong flexible fabric called (as you may have guessed), lycra. When layered and reinforced, this material forms a close-fitting garment that offers many benefits for children with different needs.
Keep reading to learn more about lycra garments and how we use them in our clinic.
What Are Lycra Garments?
Lycra garments are orthotic devices which use strong and flexible fabric. The lycra material, when layered and reinforced, forms a close-fitting garment with many therapeutic benefits.
Lycra garments can help support children with a range of needs. In fact, each garment is individually designed to meet the needs of the user. You can get off-the-shelf items such as sleeves, tops/vests and shorts, all of which come in various sizes and have a standard fit and style. You can also get custom lycra garments which include specific areas of reinforcement and support with personalised location of zips and fastenings for ease of wear.
Types of Lycra Garment
There are several different types of lycra garments available, including:
- Lycra gloves
- Lycra leggings
- Lycra shorts
- Lycra shoulder orthoses
- Lycra socks
- Lycra suits
- Lycra vests
How Do Lycra Garments Work?
Lycra garments provide a new approach for the management of neurological dysfunction, abnormal muscle tone and scar formation. The increased pressure of the right-fitting garments improves proprioception (body position awareness), helping to improve posture and control of movement. This provides support and stability to improve functional ability through compression.
There are many reasons why a child may benefit from lycra garments and why the use of Lycra may be indicated. These include;
- Poor postural control
- Poor pelvic stability
- Increased or decreased tone
- Altered sensory perception
- Hypermobility
- Spasticity
On top of these, lycra garments can also help with the following:
Neurological Conditions
From a neurological perspective, lycra garments can help children with neurological conditions to improve posture, manage abnormal tone and improve functional ability.
Scar Healing
From a scar-healing perspective, Lycra garments help speed up the healing process and prevent scar thickening by reducing swelling.
What Are The Benefits of Lycra Garments?
Below, we highlight some of the different types of lycra garments and their specific benefits:
Some further benefits of lycra garments include:
- Improved postural stability
- Improved control of movement
- Improved coordination
- Improved proprioception
- Increased sensory feedback
- Increased or decreased muscle tone
- Improved limb positioning during functional tasks
- Decreased pain
- Prevention of contractures
How Are Lycra Garments Used In Paediatric Physiotherapy?
More often than not, lycra garments are used in close conjunction with other forms of therapy to maximise the efficiency of treatment. At Therapy Stars, we introduce the wearing of the lycra garments gradually until the child gets accustomed to wearing it for up to six hours a day. Over time, the aim is to reduce the wearing time of the garment to carry over the positive effects experienced into everyday life.
The Use of Lycra Garments in Children With Cerebral Palsy
You may be wondering whether lycra garments can help children with cerebral palsy. Take a look at the study below to find out how the garments affected their functional ability:
One study recruited 8 participants, aged 3 to 13 years old with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy and studied whether function improved after the lycra garment was worn. The study concluded that all children (bar one) recorded functional improvements when wearing their suit. A main feature of cerebral palsy is the alteration of muscle. In particular, too much or too little tonicity. However, the close-fitting nature of the garments along with the elastic properties of the lycra provides extra support, which can lead to increased proximal stability.
Lycra garments offer the following benefits for children with cerebral palsy:
- Reducing contracture of muscle and soft tissue
- Improves postural alignment
- Improves proximal stability
- Improves upper limb movements
To read more about cerebral palsy, take a look at our insightful article, ‘What Is Cerebral Palsy in Children?’
Which Conditions Can Lycra Garments Help?
Lycra garments can help children with the following conditions:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spina bifida
- Scoliosis
- Developmental disorders
- Autistic spectrum disorders
- Neuro-muscular conditions
Lycra Garments At Therapy Stars
Lycra garments are supported by clinical evidence and research. Studies have shown successes, including pain reduction or the stopping of pain medications as a direct result of using lycra orthoses.
At Therapy Stars, we use lycra garments alongside other forms of therapy to help children reach their full developmental potential.
If you’re curious to learn more about how we use lycra garments in our clinic, get in touch with a member of our team – book a complimentary call today!
Lycra Garments FAQs
Are Lycra Garments Custom-Made?
Lycra garments come in either standard sizes by age or dimension, where there are set measurements, or some manufacturers will custom make suits for each individual patient. If you are not sure what your child needs, ask your Physiotherapist or professional for advice.
How Are Lycra Orthotics Different From Traditional Orthotics?
There are many different types of Orthotics however, the general aim is to provide some form of support for the user.
The lycra garment provides support around whole areas of the body using compressive materials to improve sensory awareness whereas more traditional Orthotics (such as AFOs) use harder materials like plastics to give more structural support.
How Should Lycra Garments Be Worn?
Lycra garments should be worn in the daytime and can be built up to be worn for the whole day or as tolerated.
Lycra garments shouldn’t be worn overnight (unless you have specific nighttime Orthoses prescribed by a qualified doctor, orthotist or therapist).
Are There Any Side Effects Or Risks Associated With Lycra Garments?
Lycra garments are safe to use for the majority of people. However, it is important to note the material is in direct contact with the skin so consider:
Allergies – some people can have allergies to synthetic materials
Irritation – if you have a poor fitting garment, it may cause friction between the skin and the material which could irritate.
Overheating – most garments are breathable but do consider how the material might impact body temperature, especially in hotter weather.
Compression – the lycra garment should fit properly to the skin however, it is important to make sure it is not so tight that circulation is affected.
How Long Do Children Need To Use Lycra Garments?
When worn in the daytime, it is important to build up wearing time gradually so you know your child can tolerate the garment for longer periods.
In terms of the duration of time using lycra garments, this would be determined on an individual basis depending on your child’s individual goals and diagnoses.
Can Lycra Garments Be Used Alongside Other Treatments?
Yes. Lycra garments should be safe to use alongside therapeutic treatments. However, the professional you are working with can advise you if you are unsure.
How Do I Care For Lycra Garments?
You should wash lycra garments every 2-3 days depending on usage and follow the washing instructions detailed on the label or instruction leaflet provided. Normally, these will advise you to either wash on a low temperature or by hand. It is best to let the garment air dry.
It is important to avoid heating or stretching the garment so avoid tumble drying, ironing, dry cleaning or wringing it out after washing. Also, avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or fabric softeners.
Where Can I Get Lycra Garments For My Child?
You can purchase off-the-shelf lycra garments from some companies. These include; sleeves, tops/vests and shorts, which come in various sizes. Typically, these are standard fit by age or dimension, so may not be appropriate for all.
Alternatively, you can purchase custom-made garments which will have specific personalised reinforcements and styles from specialised manufacturers or from a qualified Orthotist. These would be more costly and require some form of assessment of the user to ensure it is bespoke.
