REHAB & TRAIN WITH THE ALTERG® ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL™

Rehabilitation through Reduced Gravity

The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill is a revolutionary rehabilitation tool designed to support recovery and performance by reducing the impact of body weight during walking and running. Originally developed using NASA technology, the AlterG uses differential air pressure (DAP) to create a lifting force that allows users to move in a controlled, low-impact environment. For individuals undergoing neurological or musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy, the AlterG offers unique benefits that can accelerate recovery, restore mobility, and boost confidence.

How It Works

The user wears a pair of specially designed shorts that zip into an airtight chamber enclosing the lower body. Once sealed, the machine calibrates the user’s weight and gradually inflates the chamber with air, effectively reducing their body weight by up to 80%. This allows walking or running at a fraction of full body weight, significantly reducing strain on joints, muscles, and the nervous system. The treadmill surface moves just like a standard treadmill, but with much less impact.

Neurological Physiotherapy Benefits

For individuals recovering from neurological injuries such as Stroke or Brain Injury or managing conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease, mobility is often limited by weakness, poor coordination, fatigue, or spasticity. The AlterG provides a safe, supported environment in which clients can:

• Initiate gait retraining earlier in the rehabilitation process, even when full weight-bearing isn’t yet possible.
• Improve balance and coordination by allowing repetitive, rhythmic movement without the fear of falling.
• Enhance neuroplasticity by enabling high-repetition, task-specific walking, essential for relearning motor skills.
• Reduce spasticity and fatigue, thanks to the unweighting of the limbs and reduced physical effort.
• Build endurance and cardiovascular fitness, which often declines after neurological injury or illness.

The AlterG can help clients regain the confidence to walk again by gradually increasing weight-bearing tolerance and walking speed in a controlled, supported setting.

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Benefits

In musculoskeletal rehabilitation, the AlterG is particularly effective for individuals recovering from:

• Orthopaedic surgeries (e.g., ACL repair, hip/knee replacements)
• Tendon or ligament injuries
• Lower limb fractures
• Chronic joint pain (e.g., osteoarthritis)
• Sports injuries

It allows for earlier mobilisation without the risk of re-injury, facilitates pain-free movement, and supports gradual progression in loading and gait re-education. Athletes also benefit from the ability to maintain or rebuild cardiovascular fitness without compromising healing tissues.

Why Choose AlterG at PhysioFunction?

At PhysioFunction, we integrate the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill into personalised physiotherapy plans. Our neuro and MSK specialists use it to help clients walk further, train longer, and recover faster, all while reducing stress on the body.

Whether you’re regaining walking ability after a stroke, managing MS symptoms, or returning to sport post-injury, the AlterG provides a game-changing platform for progress - safely, efficiently, and with confidence.

Contact us for more information