CME SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
CME APPROACH
Cuevas Medek Exercises (CME®) is a pediatric therapy approach created by Ramón Cuevas in 1972 for children with developmental delay caused by a known or unknown non-degenerative syndrome impacting the central nervous system. Ramon established the basic goal of CME® - to create a method of exercises that will provoke the automatic postural responses through the use of specific dynamic exercises in children who are delayed, in spite of their neurological damage and level of awareness.
CME SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS
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CME® provokes the appearance of absent motor functions.
Provokes the automatic responses of functional - postural motor control.
Exposes the child to the influence of gravity. Gravity is the main external element that stimulates a child to react and produce their expected motor response. When the child is exposed to gravity, the sensory receptors are challenged and compelled to produce the appropriate postural reaction.
Promotes the use of distal support rather than hand to hand contact. Using the least intrusive support the child can tolerate (held by thighs, below knees, ankles or under soles of the feet) allows the child to react by holding the standing position from short to long periods of time with their hands free.
Stretching and range of motion maneuvers are integrated in specific exercises.All stretching maneuvers are performed in functional exercises.
The CME® approach buffers the childs negative emotional reaction. The occurrence of natural responses such as crying should not inhibit CME® exercises.
Hypertonicity in lower extremities at early ages do not inhibit the prompt use of standing position exercises. Proprioceptive input through the foot is one that feeds the nervous system. This information helps to develop and integrate the balance reactions that will assist the child in independent standing.
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO PARTICIPATION IN CME® THERAPY
Any diagnosis of a degenerative nature affecting the neuromuscular system (progressive diseases).
Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Uncontrolled seizures
Child younger than 3 months of age, except when the therapist in charge is a CME® II or CME® III graduate