do standing frames provide any benefits, in my case a T4 Complete? how long would you have to be in it each day to make it beneficial??

I've stood in a wooden 'Oswestry standing frame' nearly every day for the last 14 yrs. Usually 10-25 minutes.

Any benefits? Hard to tell, I guess the next step is to not stand in one everyday for the next 14 years and compare the differance!

They say it's good for keeping bone strength and density, (I can't personaly prove this).

It's a nice feeling to be up on your feet and gives all the leg muscles a good stretch.

Good for the bowels & digestion too 'they say' as gravity can work it's magic (although not up in the frame obviously, unless you're unlucky or taken too much figjuice!) I have more often than not had little problems over the years in this dept. (touch wood, that wood be the wooden Oswestry standing frame of course!)

I have mine set up so I can move it in front of my desk and then put the keyboard of my PC on the shelf in front and do a little surfing on the web to pass the time.

I'm c6/7 but I can lift my self up into it but I do need assistance to 'strap me in' so to speak.

If you have the time and assistance, I'd recommend using one, there are even frames out there where no assistance is required.
Get yourself checked out or ok'd by a physio, Dr or O.T. first if you haven't done anything like this for a while.

Good luck!

Do a search on the care cure forums as there's been a load of discussion on there in the past. Bottom line is that there's nil medical proof of it being effective for anything although it's thought to assist the digestive system and will help spasms because of the stretching. A positive effect on bone density has never been shown.

Personally speaking I find it good for working on core muscles and balance- playing catch with someone while in the frame (an Oswestry for me) is a good way of doing this. I also find stretching while standing is quite good on the back muscles- reaching up above your head while standing pulls all the muscles up and gives them a good workout.

My first time in a standing frame I almost passed out despite warnings by my therapists. I will not attempt to speak of bone density issues but will write of the blood circulation/flow issue it helps with. Once your body adapts to this it is helpful for moving on to further stages (if possible). Standing Frames also help with allowing blood pressure to correctly regulate. It was done daily and multiple exercises were performed once able to be in it (upright) for a good amount of time (20 mins plus).

Initially there is heavy emphasis on holding onto the "podium-like" part of it. Try alternating hands in holding on, reaching to alternating sides, and lowering the frame an inch to try sit to stands. As you progress llower the frame to do deeper/lower sit to stands. The ultimagte goal is to be able to do this without holding on to help push up to stand.

It is great to help stretch and eccentric contractions/opens the muscles as would be in standing regularly. Get creative but it hlps definitely to allow for beter circulation to even prevent what would lead to pressure sores etc.