Today we feature Erica Demarch PT founder and CEO of Step and Connect and inventor of Balance Matters. After graduating with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2002, Erica started her career at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey where she worked primarily with the neurological population and specialized in traumatic brain injury. In 2008, Erica became certified in vestibular rehabilitation through Emory University and in 2009 completed the National Parkinson Foundation Allied Team Training. As a trained Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery clinician expert, Erica teaches specialized exercise classes with the Parkinson Association of the Rockies.
Today’s video example reviewing a home exercise program varying speed, step length, and surfaces:
-warm-up: increasing awareness of the feet,
-balancing with slow and fast movements,
-aerobic and agility exercises,
-practicing taking big steps (gait mechanics and stepping over obstacles)
-turning in small spaces,
-balancing on different surfaces and stances
-challenging the visual and vestibular system with eyes closed and head movements.
Affordable, portable & easy-to-use, Balance Matters® is a device based on science that incorporates sensory feedback (visual, auditory, and tactile) to improve sensory processing, equilibrium strategies & gait mechanics.
Balance Matters® was designed to offer a wide variety of training options and a set-up that can be replicated in the home environment as easily as it is to set up in the clinic. Utilizing multimodal feedback it maximizes motor learning performance outcomes.
The mission of Step and Connect is to maximize mobility and balance for people of all ages and abilities through education, involvement, and empowerment.
We educate, involve, and empower clients, medical professionals, and the community through our specialized programs, research, and innovative products to enhance balance and promote active lifestyles.
Erica DeMarch, the founder of Step and Connect and the inventor of the product, Balance Matters® was inspired to match her patient’s tenacity, motivation, and drive to keep exploring new ways to improve their quality of life.
– All content provided by Erica DeMarch of Step and Connect and Balance Matters.
